After their capitulation in the 2nd Test against Bangladesh, not many experts gave England a chance in the series against India. After all, India are a formidable side at home and have better spinners than England. However, cricket is a funny old game and even though the first Test was drawn, England had the better of the exchanges and showed that they will be a force to contend with in the remaining 4 Tests. The English batsmen batted magnificently against the Indian spinners and showed that India will have to play at their best to win the series. Here is the complete Match report.

For once, Virat Kohli lost the toss and England elected to bat on a pitch that was flat and was expected to be a bowler’s graveyard. India did not help their cause by dropping as many as 3 catches in the first hour. The debutant, Haseeb Hameed played impressively and made 31 while Alastair Cook was unlucky to be given out LBW to Ravindra Jadeja. Joe Root is considered one of the best young batsmen in the world and he showed why, with an innings of composure and maturity.

England were 102/3 and another wicket could have put them in deep trouble. However, Moeen Ali came to the party and along with Root put together a partnership of 179 for the 4th wicket. The Indian spinners were not allowed to settle and both batsmen milked them for runs while also capitalising on any loose deliveries. Joe Root was out after scoring a brisk 124 when Yadav picked up a return catch and England ended the first day at 311/4. This was the first time since 2013 when an opposition batsman had scored a Test century against India in India.

On the 2nd morning, Moeen Ali also reached his century and India looked to be staring at a huge total. Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow are both naturally attacking batsmen and they scored at a brisk rate. Stokes was lucky that many of his mistimed shots eluded the Indian fielders. He was also fortunate that Wriddhiman Saha dropped him twice off the bowling of Umesh Yadav. He became the 3rd English player to score a century in the innings as England posted a huge first innings total of 537.

In reply, India began cautiously but ensured that they kept the English bowlers at bay. Cheteshwar Pujara had scored a century against New Zealand in the last Test at Indore and he continued his rich vein of form against England with a solid innings. He was struck on the head 3 times by short deliveries from Chris Woakes and those instances were the only time that he looked in any discomfort against the English bowling. Murali Vijay was the ideal foil for him and both the batsmen made the English bowlers toil for a wicket.

Pujara reached his 9th Test century which was a very special occasion since it was the first Test being played on his home ground. He was dismissed when he guided Stokes straight into the hands of Cook at first slip for a well-made 124. Soon, Vijay became the 5th batsmen to score a century in the Test when he edged Stuart Broad to third man for a four. He made 126 when he was caught at short leg by Hameed off the bowling of Adil Rashid. Kohli played sensibly for his 40 before he was hit wicket when he trod on his stumps flicking Rashid to mid-wicket.

Ravichandran Ashwin showed why India has invested wisely in promoting him to the number 6 position in Tests by playing an innings of sublime grace. He put on 64 runs for the 7th wicket with Wriddhiman Saha when the latter was caught by Bairstow trying to cut Moeen Ali. Ashwin continued to play well and did a great job farming the strike with the tail-enders for company. He was dismissed for 70 when he was caught by Zafar Ansari on the mid-wicket boundary off the bowling of Moeen Ali. India were bowled out for 488 giving England a lead of 49.

In their second innings, the English openers put on a century partnership when a few quick wickets could have put India in the ascendancy. Hameed was particularly impressive and showed a temperament that would have made a veteran proud. England ended the 4th day’s play at 114 for no loss with an overall lead of 163.

On the last day, the English openers played very positively in their quest to set up a declaration and give their bowlers enough time to bowl India out. Haseeb was caught and bowled by Amit Mishra for a well-made 82. Cook scores his 30th Test century and in the process became the first overseas batsman to score 5 Test centuries in India. He was caught by Jadeja of Ashwin for 130 and promptly declared England’s innings at 260/3. This set India a target of 310 off a minimum of 49 overs.

India suffered an early setback when Gautam Gambhir was caught by Joe Root of the bowling of Chris Woakes for a duck. There was a regular fall of wickets and India were reduced 71/4 in the 24th over when Ashwin joined Kohli at the crease. At that stage there were 25 overs left in the match and another wicket would have set the cat amongst the pigeons. However, Ashwin played another mature innings and Kohli, showed his versatility as a batsman by playing a captain’s knock to rescue India from a precarious situation. Normally one associates quick fire innings from Kohli, but he knuckled down and guided India to a position of safety. Jadeja also scored an attractive unbeaten 32 off 33 balls and when stumps were drawn for the last time in the match, India were 172/6. The match ended in a draw.
Moeen Ali was named the Man of the Match for his century in the first innings and for taking 3 wickets in the match.

The 2nd Test starts at Vizag on the 17th of November.

Image courtesy: BCCI