IND vs ENG: 1st Test – England continue to dominate despite Pant’s heroics
England continued to dominate India in the first Test in Chennai. The visitors finished 578 all out on the third morning after which India lost their way at the start to be reduced to 73/4 at one stage. But Pant and Pujara batted superbly to lead the hosts’ recovery but the duo got out to leave the team at 225/6. Sundar and Ashwin batted out the rest of the day as India ended the day on 257/6, still 321 runs behind.
Here are the talking points of the day:
1. India’s top-order fails
After England posted 578, India needed a good start from their openers. But Rohit Sharma edged one behind off Jofra Archer while Shubman Gill also got out for 29 playing one too many shots. The onus was now on Virat Kohli but even he was bluffed by Dom Bess while batting on 11. Ajinkya Rahane too could add much to the scoreboard thanks to a brilliant catch from Joe Root. Only Pujara showed some resistance among India’s top five and it led to the team being reduced to 73/4.
2. Pujara’s defiance
Cheteshwar Pujara, yet again, stood like a rock for India amidst wickets falling at the other end. He used his feet well and held one end strongly. Pant playing his shots freely also helped him but one can also say that Pujara’s solid technique arrested a collapse for India. Pujara scored 73 before getting out unfortunately as the ball hit the shoulder of the short leg fielder only to lob to Rory Burns at mid-wicket.
3. England’s short ball strategy
England picked up quick wickets upfront but when the partnership started to build, their pacers employed a short ball strategy bowling around the wicket. Pujara had to tackle even this strategy and did it profusely. England also packed leg-side to keep a lid on the run-scoring and kept the Indian batsmen on the back-foot. Eventually, their off-spinner only reaped rewards with India playing too many shots on the day.
4. Pant’s counterattacking knock
Did You Watch – 6,6,6,6 – Rishabh Pant targets Leach
Watch what happens when @RishabhPant17 decides to take on Jack Leach. The Indian batsman hits four sixes in his three consecutive overs.
?️?️https://t.co/3LeCLN2TSP #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/rugN30RHXA
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 7, 2021
Any player, with his team struggling at 73/4, is expected to play cautiously and look to rebuild. But Pant had different ideas. He took on the left-arm spinner Jack Leach hitting him for sixes at will and put England on the back foot a bit. He kept playing his shots despite players at the boundary and cleared them multiple times. Pant was looking good to get to his well-deserved but got out in the 90s yet again while trying to hit yet another maximum. Nevertheless, it was a sensational innings which kept India alive in the game somehow.
