IND vs ENG 2024: Even if India gets 600 ahead, we’re going to try and chase it: James Anderson on McCullum’s message

England’s veteran James Anderson has revealed that they will go all out to chase a record-breaking target of 399 runs against India in the second Test match at Vizag. England’s highest successful chase against India in Indian conditions came in the 1972/73 season, when they chased down 208 runs in Delhi to win by six wickets.

Ergo, the Ben Stokes-led will have their work cut out but there is no doubt that they will try their best to chase it down. England under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum are known to throw a kitchen sink at everything and the huge run-chase will be nothing different.

Meanwhile, England could only manage 253 runs in the first innings and conceded a huge lead of 143 runs. India was able to build upon their lead as they posted 255 runs in the second innings after Shubman Gill scored a majestic knock of 104 runs.

The pitch is expected to get difficult to bat on and England batters will have their work cut out but one thing is sure – there will not be lack of clarity on what they want to do when they take the field on the penultimate day.

James Anderson said while talking to TNT Sports, “We feel well in the game.”

“We got sat down by the coach [Brendon McCullum] last night and he said, ‘if India get 600 ahead, we’re going to try and chase it down’. And that’s exactly what we’re going to try and do.”

“We stuck to our task really well today. They put on a partnership at one point but the way the spinners kept going, kept toiling, was brilliant. Now we’re in a great position and we’re going to give it a good crack tomorrow,” said Anderson

Meanwhile, England had stunned India by 28 runs in the opening Test match after Ollie Pope scored a miraculous knock of 196. The visitors will need something similar on the penultimate day of the second Test.