After Day 2 against hosts England, India had asserted themselves and put the hosts on the back foot, dominating the game quite clearly. But come Day 3 morning, India caused a huge crisis for England—something that was not even on people’s minds after Day 2. It was precipitated by Mohammed Siraj, who struck two huge blows off two successive deliveries. On just the second over of day three, Siraj first had previous captain Joe Root stumped behind the wicket, and then on the next delivery, had current captain Ben Stokes get out on a duck. England’s score was 84 for 5 in no time at all, and with half the side already in the pavilion, the question on everyone’s mind grew big: Will England escape the follow-on? In order to achieve that, they would have to make 388 runs, and — based on what is happening now — this looks extremely improbable.
On Day 2, Akash Lit The Spark!
That is just what Siraj had done in the second over on Day 3. Making his Test debut, Akash provided India with a dream beginning after their innings came to an end. Only in the third over, on the third ball, he dismissed Ben Duckett, who had made a century in the last Test, at third slip for a duck. Then, similar to Siraj, he came back to get Ollie Pope, caught by KL Rahul, in the very next ball. Briefly, Akash kindled hope for India by claiming two wickets in two balls, and Siraj nailed that hope at the start of Day 3 by leading England into a follow-on crisis.
How Many Runs Does England Need To Stay Out Of The Follow-On?
India has made 587 runs in the first innings. According to the regulation, the English side has to make a minimum of 388 runs to stay out of the follow-on. In Test or First-Class cricket, the following team must score within 200 runs of the opponent’s score to avert the follow-on. Imposing the follow-on has the benefit of conserving time in games with fewer days. Scoring fewer than the requisite runs not only provides a strategic advantage but also causes psychological pressure on the following team.
