India can chase 300 in Southampton to make it 2-2, feels Sourav Ganguly

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly showed his optimistic face on Saturday after England registered a lead of 233 runs over India in the fourth Test in Southampton. Ganguly, who is doing commentary for the series, said on social media that it would not be right to write off the visitors even if they were to chase 300 for winning the match. Trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, Virat Kohli’s men must win this game to take it to the decider at Kennington Oval.

England’s middle and lower order rose to the occasion once again after India took a lead of 27 runs over England in the first innings. The host’s top order was rocked yet another time by the Indian quicks as they were reduced to 92 for 4 but the likes of Jos Buttler (69), Sam Curran (37 not out), Ben Stokes (30) and Adil Rashid (11) ensured that England did not perish.

England’s batting in the second essay was almost a photocopy of the first in which they recovered to 246 after losing six wickets for just 86. Curran came as the saviour on that occasion too with a 126-ball 78.

Don’t rule india out chasing 300 ..there is too much ability in that side @BCCI @SonySix @sonypicsprodns

— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) September 1, 2018

Indian batters have not been in the best of form

India would have to bat really well to win this game from here on. Given their form with the willow in this series, not many are ready to think the better. A number of Twitter users responded to Ganguly’s tweet saying it would be a tough ask for the tourists to make a match of it after allowing the English lower order to get away.

There was also criticism that India failed to make a plan for Curran who now has rescued the English innings from disarray quite a few times in this series. Curran came to the party when England were struggling in the first Test at Edgbaston as well and hit a fifty to take them to a score which proved to be winning score eventually.

India’s batters have not succeeded in crossing 300 in this series except the third Test in Trent Bridge. They lost the first Test by 31 runs while chasing a modest target of 194 while in the second, they were bowled out twice within the score of 237.

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