Indian batting will collapse once again – Vaughan predict India’s defeat in the Oval Test

Two days into the fourth Test of a five-match series and still little separates England and India.

England eked out a first-innings lead of 99 runs thanks to half-centuries by recalled players Ollie Pope and Chris Woakes in a total of 290, a strong recovery considering the team was reeling at 62-5 at one stage at the Oval on Friday.

India’s openers were faced with a tough last hour to negotiate as shadows lengthened across the south London venue but they did it, with Rohit Sharma on 20, KL Rahul on 22 and the tourists closing on 43-0 after 16 overs.

India trailed by 56 runs but the match remained too close to call with three days to go. The series is tied at 1-1, with a test in Manchester to come starting next week.

However, former England skipper has predicted another batting collapse for the visitors in the ongoing match at The Oval.

“This four-man seam attack that England have, they have been all over this Indian batting line-up. We saw it in the second innings at Headingley. The Indians made it tough, they hung in there, then there was a collapse. I do think that if England stay patient, I do think there will be a cluster of wickets somewhere,” Vaughan said on BBC’s Test Match Special podcast.

Vaughan further added that the first hour on Day 3 will be crucial for Team India.

“The first hour is the key. It will swing more in the first hour. In terms of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, they have got the gift to be able to see off those balls that are bowled into that channel,” Vaughan added.