Daijiworld Media Network
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London, Aug 1: For the second time in the test series against England, India has come under heavy pressure, and fears linger over a possible second loss in as many matches. After failing to encash on two golden opportunities, India will start day 4 with England already comfortable ahead by 380 runs.
Very few teams have won the match chasing 400-plus targets in test history. But cricket pundits in India fear that the second test could end on the fourth day itself, considering the form India's top order batsmen as well as the tailenders are in.
If India lose badly, one thing is sure - there will be an outcry against Tendulkar and Dhoni for their poor form. A magical performance by both of them in the second innings will be a big breather for them.
West Indian former bowling legend Michael Holding said that Indian players were themselves to blame for their poor peformance, as they failed to capitalise on two golden opportunities. One was when England were down eight wickets for 124 runs in the first innings, and then after Dravid's century when the rest of Indian lineup collapsed.
"Is this the same champion Indian test team?" a fan at Trent Bride asked after India's poor performance in the first three days of the test. "If our boys play like this, India will lose the No 1 spot, and within this year they will fall be down at number 4, just look at them," said an angry fan.
"The only silver line in this test so far is Dravid's century and Dhoni's decision to call back Ian Bell back to bat after the third umpire declared him run-out," a fan opined.
It will be interesting to watch what lead could England build in the second innings, and how long India will bat in reply.
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