With India seven wickets away from leveling the series, England’s batting coach Marcus Trescothick admits draw is a realistic goal amid “challenging” conditions and a daunting 608-run target.
Birmingham [UK], July 6: As India closed in on a dominant victory on Day 4 of the second Test at Edgbaston, England batting coach Marcus Trescothick stated that the team is prepared to settle for a draw, acknowledging the uphill battle they face. With India requiring just seven more wickets to level the series at 1-1 and England still trailing by 536 runs, Trescothick said the hosts are not “stupid” and understand the need to adapt their approach under such “challenging” conditions.
England’s hopes of pulling off a miracle chase at Edgbaston hang by a thread, with the team struggling at 72/3 by stumps on Day 4 in pursuit of an improbable 608-run target set by India. With three top-order wickets already down, including that of Joe Root, England finds itself staring down the barrel of a likely defeat unless they can bat out the final day for a draw.
Speaking to reporters after the day’s play, batting coach Marcus Trescothick acknowledged the realistic objective is now to avoid defeat. “I think whenever the situation is challenging, of course it is. If you get to the point where you can draw the game, of course. We’re not stupid enough to think it’s always about win or lose,” Trescothick said, making clear the team’s priorities heading into Day 5.
India’s bowlers, particularly Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, inflicted serious damage in the final session. Siraj struck first, dismissing Zak Crawley for a seven-ball duck. Akash Deep then removed the dangerous Ben Duckett for 25, exploiting the inside edge to shatter the stumps. He returned to deliver a near-unplayable delivery that bowled Joe Root for just 6, leaving England reeling and India in total control.
Trescothick admitted that India’s firepower with the new ball has made the challenge stiffer. “There are three results possible in every game that you play. But we have done some things in our time that are different from what we’ve done before. So we’ll see what happens,” he said, leaving room for optimism but remaining grounded.
India, who had declared at 427/6 in their second innings, have asserted complete dominance in this match thanks to twin centuries by Shubman Gill and key contributions from Pant and Jadeja. Now with the momentum squarely on their side, the tourists will return on Day 5 looking to wrap up the match and restore parity in the five-Test series.
While England may still talk of possibilities, the numbers speak louder. A record-breaking chase is all but out of reach, and even a draw will require a resilient, focused effort from the middle and lower order. India, meanwhile, smell blood — and with just seven wickets to claim, they will be gunning for a statement victory.