Michael Vaughan calls for ‘Kohli mentality’ from India to keep IND vs ENG Test series alive on Day 3

Mayank Bande

Michael Vaughan calls for ‘Kohli mentality’ from India to keep IND vs ENG Test series alive on Day 3 image

England ended Day 2 of the Manchester Test against India with a strong hold on the match as they look to clinch the series.

After coming in to bat on 264/4, Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar and Rishabh Pant's gritty effort with a broken toe helped India to 358 runs in the first innings.

However, when England came in to bat, the Indian bowling attack found it difficult to suffocate the flow of runs as they conceded 225/2 in just 46 overs till the stumps were called.

Ben Duckett (94) and Zak Crawley (84) added 166 runs for the first wicket at a run-rate of 5.18, scoring all around the ground.

As India moves into Day 3, Michael Vaughan believes there is only one way to stay alive in the series for India, to go in with Virat Kohli's mentality.

Here's what he had to say.

READ MORE: Ricky Ponting slams India’s field placements and bowling plans on Day 2

Michael Vaughan's words of wisdom for India to save the Manchester Test

While previewing Day 3 of the Test with Dinesh Karthik for Cricbuzz, former England captain Michael Vaughan spoke about the importance of winning the first hour for India.

He believed India must not give away any loose deliveries to Joe Root and Ollie Pope in the first 30 minutes of the day, while recalling Root's 254 against Pakistan at the venue.

Vaughan thought the only way India stays in the series is to come to the ground like they did under Virat Kohli — with aggression and optimism to get the better of the opposition by executing plans to perfection.

READ MORE: Has Shubman Gill’s Test captaincy already exposed India’s bowling weakness? Team matches unwanted stat from Kohli’s 68-Test era

"If England have a great day on Day 3, then I think they are winning the Test match — that's the series done and dusted. India and Shubman Gill have to arrive on Day 3 with the Virat mentality, 'we have to win the day.'"

"They have to win tomorrow [Day 3]. If they win the day, they can win the Test and the series is alive; otherwise, this series is gone for them," added the former England captain.

Vaughan also called for tighter lines and lengths, where India specifically struggled on Day 2 and thought Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah would be key to India's chances on the moving day.

Dinesh Karthik, notably, pointed out the batting depth of this English side, following Liam Dawson's inclusion in the squad.

At stumps on Day 2, England's only two wickets were taken by Jadeja, who broke the 166-run opening stand with Crawley's wicket and the debutant Anshul Kamboj dismissed Duckett as his maiden international wicket.

Mayank Bande

Mayank Bande has been a content producer at The Sporting News since 2023 and has extensive experience in cricket writing. His work has previously appeared on platforms like OneCricket and Last Word on Sports. Beyond cricket, Mayank closely follows football as an FC Barcelona supporter, along with tennis and Olympic sports. Despite holding a degree in Business Administration, he chose to pursue a career in sports, bringing sharp analysis to his writing as someone who once played cricket.