Former England captain Kevin Pietersen found himself in high spirits as the Ben Stokes-led team secured a significant lead against India in the ongoing first Test in Hyderabad. Despite being bowled out for 246 in the first innings and trailing India by 190 runs, England managed to turn the tables on Day 3, finishing with a 126-run lead, thanks to Ollie Pope’s unbeaten 148, featuring 17 boundaries.
Expressing his enthusiasm on Twitter, Pietersen optimistically predicted a thrilling scenario for the final day, hoping for a grandstand finish that would keep the Test match alive. In his tweet, he wrote,
It’s a marathon and not a sprint! England’s session by a LONG WAY. If England win this session, this Test will be alive. And for the sake of Test cricket, I hope we’re here tomorrow afternoon with India needing 50 to win and 7 wickets down! A grandstand finish on a Sunday please!
Pietersen continued to emphasize the significance of England’s lead over India in Indian conditions, declaring it a victory for Test cricket. On another post, he shared on Twitter, he wrote:
If you’re a lover of Test cricket, no matter if you’re English or Indian, we should all love the fact that England have a lead and we’re hopefully in for a tight finish tomorrow.
However, fans on social media provided a reality check, reminding Pietersen about India’s historical dominance on home soil. The Internet was abuzz with reactions to Pietersen’s optimistic predictions as the Test match in Hyderabad resumed on Day 4 with England at 316/6, featuring Pope’s impressive 148 and Rehan Ahmed at the crease with 16 runs.
