India concluded Day 1 of the first Test against England in a commanding position, standing at 119/1, trailing by 127 runs in the first innings. The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium witnessed a day filled with intense action, characterized by robust performances from the Indian team, both with the bat and the ball.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, England’s innings began on a promising note with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett stitching together a 55-run partnership. However, the introduction of India’s ace spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, turned the tide in India’s favour. Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
Ashwin, with his impeccable line and length, trapped Duckett lbw, marking the beginning of a slide for England. Ravindra Jadeja joined the party soon after, claiming the wicket of Ollie Pope, caught splendidly by captain Rohit Sharma at first slip.
Despite losing early wickets, England found some stability through Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, who took the team to Lunch at 108/3. However, the post-lunch session saw a rejuvenated Indian side strike back. Axar Patel’s masterful delivery sent Bairstow back to the pavilion, while Jadeja dismissed Root, leaving England at a precarious 193/8 going into tea.
The post-tea session was marked by England captain Ben Stokes’s spirited knock. Unleashing his aggressive side, Stokes blasted his way to a quick 70 off 88 deliveries, featuring six fours and three sixes. However, his efforts couldn’t prevent England from being bundled out for 246, with the Indian spin trio of Ashwin, Jadeja, and Patel sharing eight wickets among them.
In response, India’s innings commenced with a flourish. Captain Rohit Sharma and young Yashasvi Jaiswal put on an 80-run opening stand in rapid fashion. Jaiswal, in particular, was a revelation, racing to his fifty in just 47 balls. Although Sharma fell to Jack Leach while trying to escalate the scoring rate, his dismissal did little to dampen India’s spirits. Shubman Gill joined Jaiswal at the crease, and together they guided India to a comfortable 119/1 at stumps.
The day’s play left India in a strong position, laying a solid foundation for building a significant lead. The performance of the Indian spinners, especially the trio of Ashwin, Jadeja, and Patel, was a highlight, showcasing their ability to exploit the conditions effectively.
As the Test match progresses, the battle between the English resilience and the Indian spin challenge promises to be a captivating affair, setting the stage for more thrilling cricket in the days to come. Get free cricket betting tips only on Nextbet Sports.
