India vs England: 5th Test Day 1 – Score update and analysis

India vs England: 5th Test Day 1 – Score update and analysis

Dharamsala, India: India took a stronghold of Day 1 in the fifth and final Test against England, ending the day at 135/1, trailing by just 83 runs. Earlier, the Indian bowling attack, spearheaded by spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin, bundled out England for a modest 218 runs.

England stumbles early:

England’s batting woes continued from the previous Test, as they lost wickets consistently throughout the day. Despite facing some movement from the new ball bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, England’s openers, Zack Crawley and Ben Duckett, have started cautiously but confidently in Dharmshala. They are looking to build a solid foundation for their team’s innings.

Spinners dominate:

Kuldeep Yadav was the wrecker-in-chief for India, picking up his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket with figures of 5/72. Ravichandran Ashwin, celebrating his 100th Test match, chipped in with four wickets of his own, conceding just 51 runs. Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with the remaining wicket, ensuring England’s misery wouldn’t last long.

India start strong:

Openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided a solid foundation for India’s reply. The duo stitched together a 104-run partnership for the first wicket before Yashasvi Jaiswal (57) fell shortly before stumps. Rohit Sharma (26*) and Shubman Gill (48*) remained unbeaten at the end of the day, putting India in a commanding position.

England elects to bat first in seamer-friendly conditions

England, electing to bat first in Dharamsala on a pitch offering assistance to the seamers, got off to a decent start with Zak Crawley scoring a half-century. However, India’s spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin took center stage, dismantling the English batting order.

Kuldeep’s early strike sets the tone

In his first over, Kuldeep dismissed Ben Duckett, inducing a miscued shot. His deceptive bowling, extracting sharp turn despite the pitch not being a traditional spinner’s paradise, kept the English batsmen uncomfortable. Ollie Pope, looking well settled, was trapped in front of the stumps after attempting an ill-advised charge down the wicket.

Crawley, who had been playing fluently against both pace and spin, fell victim to a clever Kuldeep special. The crafty spinner lured him out of his crease with a leg-break, sending the ball through the gap to dismiss the dangerous batsman.

Stokes succumbs to Kuldeep’s variations

The tide continued to turn against England as Ben Stokes succumbed to Kuldeep’s variations. The spinner unleashed an assortment of googlies and leg-breaks, eventually trapping Stokes LBW. Jonny Bairstow attempted a counter-attack, but his resistance was short-lived as Kuldeep outfoxed him once again.

Kuldeep’s exceptional bowling display was characterized by subtle adjustments in pace and length. Notably, he wasn’t afraid to flight the ball, adding another dimension to his attack. While Kuldeep wreaked havoc, Ravindra Jadeja capitalized on the helpful conditions, claiming the crucial wicket of Joe Root with a delivery that utilized the skid and grip offered by the pitch. This rapid collapse saw England lose six wickets in a mere 37 balls, plummeting from a promising 175/3 to a precarious 183/8.

Ashwin completes the rout in his 100th Test (4/51)

While Kuldeep spearheaded the bowling attack, Ravichandran Ashwin, celebrating his 100th Test match, played a crucial supporting role by claiming the remaining four wickets. Although Ashwin started slowly, he picked up the pace later in the innings, ensuring a successful follow-up to Kuldeep’s brilliant spell.

England’s batting woes continue: Lack of clarity and muddled game plans

England’s batting frailties were once again exposed as none of their batsmen, except for Zak Crawley, displayed any significant resistance. Even experienced players like Joe Root and Ben Stokes struggled to find their rhythm and fell prey to their indecision.

Openers provide a strong foundation for India’s reply

India’s bowling dominance was complemented by a solid start from their opening batsmen. They displayed positive intent and ensured that the team ended the day in a strong position.

Analysis:

While England’s batting raises concerns, India’s start has been promising. The pitch seems to be assisting the spinners, and if India can build on their strong start and bat through the second day, they will be in a strong position to take control of the Test match. England, on the other hand, will need early wickets to stay in the contest.

Looking ahead:

Day 2 will be crucial for both teams. If India can continue their dominance and extend their lead, they will be in a strong position to win the series. However, if England can strike early and restrict India’s scoring, the match could still hang in the balance.

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