IND vs ENG: 1st Test – England go 1-0 up with a crushing victory

England have managed to win the first Test of the four-match series against India to take a 1-0 lead. It was a tough ask for the hosts to play out a total of 103 overs on a deteriorating pitch and England’s bowlers collectively put up an appreciable effort to skittle them for just 192 runs in the second innings.

Earlier, it was England who won the toss and opted to bat first. On the back of Joe Root’s exceptional double ton, they posted a whopping 578 runs in the first innings. India then threw their wickets away in their first essay. However, half-centuries from Pujara, Pant and Washington Sundar helped them post 337 runs, a massive 241 runs behind England.

The visitors then stretched their lead as they smacked quick runs before getting bundled out for 178 runs and set an improbable target of 420 runs for India. It was never going to be easy for Virat Kohli’s men to save/win the game and as expected, despite the skipper’s fighting 72, India were bundled out before Tea on the final day to concede an early lead in the series.

Top Performers

Joe Root – England’s best batsman and their skipper Joe Root led from the front in this game smacking a total of 258 runs. He came out to bat in a tricky situation in the first innings at 63/2 and then scored his second double ton in three Tests. His knock of 218 runs lasted 377 balls with 19 fours and two sixes. In the second innings. His quick-fire 40 off 32 balls on a deteriorating surface assisted England in taking their lead past 400. Unsurprisingly, Root won the Man of the Match award as well.

Got a message for @Root66? ?

258 runs in the match ?
That sensational catch ?
All in his 100th Test match ?

?? #INDvENG ??????? pic.twitter.com/aCIlx6gdKU

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 9, 2021

Ravi Ashwin – For India, Ravi Ashwin was the top performer with the ball as he picked up six wickets in the second innings. Even in the first innings, he bowled as many as 55.1 overs and picked up three wickets. The off-spinner would’ve loved some support from the other two spinners as well and it will be interesting to see how he performs in the second Test.

Stats/Personal Milestones

Ishant Sharma completed 300 wickets in Test cricket for India.

Joe Root became the first player to score a century in his 98th, 99th and 100th Test.

What Next:

 India and England will now lock horns in the second Test starting from February 13 in Chennai itself.