'Do not judge a pitch till both teams have batted' - Michael Vaughan's take on ‘shocker’ Ranchi pitch

The fourth Test of the ongoing five-match Test series between India and England got off to a bumpy start for the visitors. Both sides faced off at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on February 23, and the clash began with England batting first after winning the toss. 

However, the side got off to a rocky start as they went on to lose five wickets in the very first session of the fourth Test. Zak Crawley opened England’s innings in the fourth Test with a score of 42 runs, but debutant Akash Deep put forth a dazzling performance, dismantling England’s top-order. 

As the first session ended, England found themselves on a score of 112 runs with the loss of five wickets, and many came forward to blame the pitch in Ranchi for such a performance. The same was the opinion of former England cricketer Michael Vaughan, who took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to talk about how shocking the pitch in Ranchi was. 

“The old saying .. Do not judge a pitch till both teams have batted and bowled on it .. but let’s be honest .. this one looks a shocker,” Vaughan tweeted. 

Also Read: "They are in a bubble" - Michael Vaughan launches scathing attack on England after India hammering

England will have a good chance: Vaughan

Furthermore, ahead of the fourth Test, Vaughan once again took to social media, where he backed England to bounce back and register a win against India in the fourth Test in Ranchi. He predicted that the pitch in Ranchi could be like the first Test and that England would have a good chance to win with India resting the leading wicket-taker of the series, pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. 

“I hear the pitch in Ranchi will be like the first Test .. lots of spin & a shorter game .. brings England's spinners into the game .. 1 seamer & Dan Laurence to play is my guess .. England will a good chance with no Bumrah as well,” Vaughan tweeted. 

By the time tea was called on Day 1 of the fourth Test, England had managed to stabilise their innings, scoring 198 runs with the loss of five wickets. At the time of tea, Joe Root and Ben Foakes stood firm in the middle with scores of 67* and 28*, respectively.