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How Many Runs Do England Need To Avoid Follow-On Vs India In 2nd Test?

Anurag Dasgupta

How many runs do ENG need to avoid follow-on [Source: AP Photo] How many runs do ENG need to avoid follow-on [Source: AP Photo]

It is fair to say that the Indian bowler has utilized the flat Edgbaston conditions to their advantage as the hosts, England have already lost five wickets in their first innings, courtesy of some brilliant swing bowling by the visitors. The likes of Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj used the conditions to their advantage and never gave the hosts a chance to run away with the contest.

In reply to India's first innings total of 587, the England side lost their first three wickets inside 25 runs before Joe Root and Harry Brook stitched a crucial partnership to keep the hosts in the hunt. However, on the morning of Day 2, Siraj ran riot and scalped Joe Root and Ben Stokes to push them on the back-foot.

The England side still has Harry Brook fighting a lone battle but the question arises, how many runs do the hosts need to avoid the follow-on?.

IND Vs ENG Follow-On Score: Can England avoid danger?

As per the Test match rules, the team batting second needs to score 200 runs less than what the team batting first achieved. Hence, in England's case, they need to score 387 runs to avoid the follow-on and bat for the second successive time. Out of the 387 runs, 109 have already been scored by the home side, and they need a further 278 to avoid the follow-on.

The task won't be an easy affair since half the team is back in the pavilion and only two recognized batters are at the crease.

What happens if England fail to score 387 runs?

If England fails to score 387 runs, then India have two choices - either force the hosts to bat for the second successive time or bat themselves to pile up a huge score and put the England side under immense pressure to chase down a huge total.

However, this England team is brilliant in chasing and Shubman Gill led India side will be wary about the prospect of bowling to them in the fourth innings.