IND vs ENG 4th Test: 5 things India must get right on Day 3 to stay alive in Manchester

If India lose the Manchester Test, they will go 3-1 behind in the five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, with just one match remaining.

In the ongoing fourth Test in Manchester, if Day 2 belonged to England’s swagger, Day 3 needs to be all about India’s steel. Trailing 2-1 in the five-match series, the Shubman Gill-led side is dangerously close to letting this Test, and also the series, slip out of their grasp.

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett gave England a rollicking start in reply to India’s 358, and with Joe Root and Ollie Pope at the crease, England still have a total of eights wickets left. What’s more concerning for India is that all those eight are no mug with the bat.

But not all is lost. The pitch has flattened out, yes, but Manchester weather is known to flirt with bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah’s reverse swing, a little discipline, and sharper fielding can still tilt the game. Here’s what India must do on Day 3 to claw their way back into the contest:

1. Start with firepower: Bumrah & Siraj, no compromise

India cannot afford to ease into the morning session. The new ball might be 34 overs away, but conditions could still favour seamers early. Bumrah and Siraj must start the day as Gill shouldn’t look for experiments.

Gill received some flak for giving the new ball to Anshul Kamboj instead of Siraj on Day 2. While Kamboj did his best, but this is not the time for easing rookies in. Joe Root and Ollie Pope would need to settle in first and having them against India’s best could trigger an early breakthrough.

2. Don’t let Joe Root breathe

Joe Root is the silent assassin in this England lineup. He may not be flashy like Ben Duckett, but he will grind you down. Also at Manchester, he averages above 70. This means India need to have him back in pavilion as soon as possible.

India have let him settle too often this series. Give him a sniff today, and he’ll make it count. Bumrah has troubled him before and should go all-in to trap him once again. In his last burst on Day 2, Bumrah almost got the man. He should continue with his inswing trap.

3. Attack with intent

India’s field settings on Day 2 were reactive. Day 3 needs to be different. Yesterday, it looked as if India were just going through motions but the visitors need a proactive approach on Friday.

Catchers in place, gaps tightened, and plans executed with clarity. If England want to attack, let them earn every run. The slip cordon must be alert, and chirping in batters’ ears.

4. No drop catches, please

India’s slip fielding has been sub-par this series. Edges have gone down, and so have shoulders. Whether it’s Jaiswal at gully or Rahul at slip, the energy has to be relentless. One dropped catch here could kill the match.

India lost the first Test in Leeds due to poor catching. Same shouldn’t be the case this time around as well.

5. Gill should use spinners wisely

India needed to play Kuldeep Yadav, as stated by Ravi Ashwin. He should have been a high quality wicket-taking threat. However, India still have six bowling options, including two spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar.

Jadeja was the one who broke the opening stand. Meanwhile, Gill didn’t throw the ball to Sundar even for one over. This cannot be the case now. Gill needs to rotate the spinners smartly. We all know Sundar will come into attack when Ben Stokes arrives but the off-spinner can make things happen at this surface. Jadeja’s role has to evolve. Not just the holding job but give him fields to attack. And rotate bowlers smartly. Shardul Thakur is leaking runs? Don’t force it. Be proactive. Let Bumrah breathe, but don’t abandon pressure after one spell.