IND vs ENG: 3rd Test, Day 1 – India on top after spinners run through England
The much-awaited day-night Test between India and England commenced at the magnificent Motera (renamed as Narendra Modi Stadium) on Wednesday. After winning the toss, the visitors lost a chance to post a huge total due to their poor batting display. Axar Patel ruled the roost picking his second consecutive five-wicket haul as England got out for 112 runs. India, in response, ended the day at 99/3 with Rohit Sharma remaining unbeaten after scoring a brilliant half-century. Virat Kohli got out just before stumps while Shubman Gill and Pujara didn’t have a good day with the bat.
Here are the talking points of the day:
1. The world’s largest stadium makes its debut
The renovated Motera Stadium of Ahmedabad had to wait to make its debut in international cricket and finally, the day arrived. India’s president and the home minister were in attendance to inaugurate the stadium which was also renamed as the Narendra Modi Stadium.
When the who’s who of India ?? made their way to the World’s Largest Cricket Stadium ?️ ??@GCAMotera #INDvENG #PinkBallTest @Paytm pic.twitter.com/8QK6uA8NjI
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 24, 2021
2. Axar Patel’s excellent bowling
For the second match in a row, Axar Patel starred for India with the ball. He sensationally scalped six wickets including a wicket off his first delivery of the match. Axar sent back Zak Crawley, Bairstow, Stokes, Foakes, Archer and Broad. He was also the reason to trigger England’s collapse who lost their way from being 74/2 to 112/10. Axar ended the innings with brilliant figures of 6/38 with six maidens to his name.
A five-wicket haul in his debut Test ✅
A five-wicket haul in his second Test ✅Axar Patel ? pic.twitter.com/p88tgQzHx9
— ICC (@ICC) February 24, 2021
3. England collapsing after losing the toss
England won a brilliant toss on a dry pitch and the fears of the first Test of the series started lingering in the minds of the fans. But Ishant Sharma had other ideas as he sent back Dom Sibley with a brilliant delivery. Though Axar struck soon to dismiss Bairstow, Root and Crawley added 47 runs for the third wicket. Just when things looked comfortable for them, England skipper got out and that triggered a famous English collapse and they lost their last eight wickets for 38 runs.
4. Rohit-Kohli partnership
After a long time, the Indian cricket fans got to see their favourite pair Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli batting together. The duo mesmerised the fans with their brilliant shots and most importantly, stabilised the Indian innings as well. Coming together at 34/2, Rohit and Kohli made sure that the team didn’t collapse and added 64 runs for the third wicket. Unfortunately, the Indian skipper got out at the fag end of the day but Rohit remained unbeaten on 57 to help India take the honours.
