'That's what India's...' - Michael Vaughan makes bold remark after Day 2 of ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test

Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes India cannot afford to let England gain a substantial first-innings lead in the ongoing fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford, Manchester. With England finishing Day 2 at 225/2 in response to India's 358, Vaughan warned that a lead of over 90 could tilt the game heavily in the hosts' favor. He emphasized that for India to survive in the series, they will need to set a fourth-innings target of at least 200 runs.

The England openers, Ben Duckett (94 off 100) and Zak Crawley (84 off 113), both halted and nullified India's bowling with their aggressive innings, taking England to a commanding position. Vaughan, speaking on Cricbuzz, said, "I would expect England to get a lead, but if India bowls really well on Day 3 and takes their chances, the lead shouldn't be more than 80 or 90. If that's the case, they should back themselves to score 300 in the second innings. And then they say to England, go and try and chase 200-210 on the last day or late on day four, where spin would play a part. That's what India's mindset has to be."

He further added that India batted commendably in difficult conditions but was struck by misfortune. According to Vaughan, the pitch eased up after India's innings, and the injury to vice-captain Rishabh Pant only added to their woes. "For India to get 358, I think that was probably par for what they had to play, if not a little bit more than par. The problem India had was that they didn't bowl well enough, and the conditions did change. So, they had a bit of bad luck. They've had bad luck with the Rishabh injury, and they've had bad luck with the conditions," he remarked.

Vaughan expects pitch to aid spinners later in the Test

Vaughan expressed optimism about India’s chances despite trailing in the match. He highlighted that England still trails by 133 runs with eight wickets in hand, and the pitch is expected to deteriorate as the match progresses. He pointed out that this could bring India’s spinners, especially Ravindra Jadeja, into play on Days 3, 4, and 5. "As the day went on, the sun started to shine, and England had to capitalize because I do think this pitch will deteriorate, and spin will play more of a part. I know England has got 133 (trail by) and eight wickets, and they bat so deep, but India is not out of this Test match."

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Vaughan specifically mentioned Jadeja’s delivery to dismiss Zak Crawley as a key indicator of things to come. He said, "That ball I saw Jadeja bowl to Zak Crawley, he bowled a couple to Ollie Pope, and I'm thinking this may be a wicket that Jadeja will come into play if the Test match gets into Day 3, Day 4, or Day 5." Jadeja, who bowled eight overs on Day 2, could play a crucial role alongside fellow spinner Washington Sundar as India looks to script a comeback.