ENG vs IND 2025: 'If match ends in draw, questions will follow' - Nasser Hussain on Gill's declaration strategy

Former England captain Nasser Hussain remarked that the pressure is on India to win the second match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, with both teams heading into Day 5 at Edgbaston. England, who lead the series 1-0 after an emphatic victory at Headingley, have been set a daunting target of 608 runs.

Hussain noted that if the match ends in a draw, questions will be raised about India's decision to bat deep into Day 4 during their second innings. He also emphasized that England should approach the final day with positive intent rather than letting the Englishmen play out the remainder of the game to lead the match into a draw, which allows the hosts to maintain their 1-0 lead in the series.

"There is a lot of pressure on India. You must think a lot of England to set them 600. If they get a draw people will ask why they batted on so long, people will ask whether Gill trusts his attack. I think he does trust his attack but today will show whether they can get those seven wickets or not," said Hussain via Sky Sports Cricket.

"I think the focus is on (picking) the seven wickets rather than the target but also on how England play. They have very rarely been in this situation and openly stated they don't play for draws. I think they need positive intent and not to go into their shell. You don't want them just blocking, but you don't want recklessness either. It's about winning the series, not just a one-off Test,” the former English captain added.

Butcher urges England to seize draw chance

Adding to the same, the former cricketer Mark Butcher believes that the Ben Stokes-led side should consider playing for a draw in Birmingham. He noted that India had left a slight window of opportunity by batting deep into Day 4, and urged England to capitalize on that chance to avoid defeat.

"I don't think it takes too much of a shift of attitude for England (to contemplate the draw). You could look upon escaping from this game as a win in itself. England talks about being in the entertainment business—well, we can all remember entertaining draws, people on the edges of their seats with a wicket needed, and three overs left, or whatever it might be. Are the fans going to be more entertained by you falling over in a heap or by you clinging on by your fingernails at the back end of the day?” Butcher expressed.

"I think we know the answer to that. And I think it would be a massive feather in the cap of this team if they were able to do it. I also think that all the motivation England needed was India not declaring until late last night. They are giving you a gilt-edged chance to escape from here without losing a match that they really and truly should have been buried in. Use that to your advantage," the cricketer-turned-commentator concluded.