Virat's technical deficiencies are covered by Indian wickets: James Anderson

The visitors are at the edge of the cliff, another couple of steps and they are all down. Team India despite losing the toss batted exceptionally well to post 631 runs in the first innings backed by a marvelous double century from skipper Virat Kohli and hundreds by Murali Vijay and Jayant Yadav. England ended day 4 at 182 for 6 and are still 49 runs behind India’s first innings total. Irrespective of what the scenario suggests England fast bowler James Anderson said that the visitors will go out all guns blazing tomorrow and will not opt for the block out of the match strategy.

Talking to the reporters in the media interaction after the end of day 4 Anderson said, “I enjoyed watching Root and Bairstow bat. I thought they did it with real positive intent and showed you can still score runs out there. We hope that’s given the lads down the order a bit of confidence going into tomorrow — because we’re certainly not going to be trying to bat out for a draw.

England are 2-0 down in the series already and if they wish to keep the series alive until both the teams fight it out in Chennai in the last Test they have to push for a victory in the Mumbai Test. For them to be able to do that, the first target will be to rub off the deficit and then take at least a 150-run lead to put Indians under any sort of pressure. “If we’re going to keep this series alive, we’re going to have to try to get past them and try to put some pressure on in the fourth innings.” Anderson said.

The Indian lower order kicked in once again and the 241-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Jayant Yadav for the 8th wicket put Team India in a commanding position and helped them take a 231-run lead. “It is immensely frustrating,” Anderson said. “Coming to the ground this morning, needing to get three wickets with them 50 ahead, if we could get them we’re still well in the game.

“Unfortunately we didn’t bowl as well as we could have first thing.”

Virat had struggled big time on the last tour of England against the moving ball and especially Anderson but he has evolved as a cricketer over the years. He is more certain about his game now and has been at the prime of his form and has scored 642 runs in the series thus far after the first innings in Mumbai and has been absolutely undefiable.

But Anderson believes the flaws in his batting technique aren’t exposed on Indian wickets. “I just think any technical deficiencies he’s got aren’t in play out here. The wickets just take that out of the equation,” said Anderson.

“There’s not that pace in the wicket to get the nicks, like we did against him in England — with a bit more movement. When that’s not there, he’s very much suited to playing in these conditions.

“He’s a very good player of spin and if you’re not bang on the money and don’t take your chances, he’ll punish you.” He concluded saying.