'One batsman definitely needs to get a hundred' - Salman Butt lists out his predictions as India bats first at The Oval

India lost both their openers in the first hour.

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Salman Butt and Virat Kohli
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Salman Butt and Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

The crucial fourth Test between England and India got underway at The Oval on Thursday. Joe Root won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first on an overcast morning. In the last Test they bowled first at Headingley and bundled out India for just 78 runs in the first innings and clearly, they would’ve wanted to make the opposition nervous given what happened last time around.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt feels 78 all-out will definitely play on the mind of Indian batsmen. He also reckons that if team India plays out the new ball with not much damage, then they can post a big total. But for that to happen, one of the batsmen will have to get a big century according to Butt. The 36-year-old also felt that England will make sure to remind India of the 78 all-out on the field.

“It (78 all-out) will be on the back of their mind. Virat Kohli said in the press conference that it was an aberration and will move on. But people don’t let you forget due to media and social media influence these days. Even if you ignore that the opposition team makes sure you remember it.

“This is where mental toughness is needed. India need to show strong nerves to fightback now. Now that they are batting first, one batsman definitely needs to get a hundred and if India scores more than 350 runs, they will be big time in the game. But they will have to see off the new ball,” Butt said on his Youtube channel.

India lose top three early

Meanwhile, India have lost both their openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early. The duo did well to score 28 runs in seven overs to start with but then introduction of Chris Woakes led to the runs getting dried and eventually he dismissed Rohit as well. Soon KL Rahul followed with Ollie Robinson continuing to have a good time against him while James Anderson nicked off Cheteshwar Pujara to leave India reeling at 39/3.

It will be important for India now for their middle-order to come to the party if they want to post a big total on the board like Salman Butt suggested.

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