England managed to beat India in India once again in the very first match of their tour to the country and it was their inexperienced spinners that did the trick for the tourists. India missed a lot of tricks in the match in Hyderabad too. Here are the top 10 key takeaways from the first Test between India and England.

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Hartley the hero

Tom Hartley, initially facing challenges with an economy rate of 131 in his first 25 overs and securing two wickets, showcased brilliance in the second innings. Playing a pivotal role in India’s pursuit of 231 for victory, Hartley claimed the first four wickets to fall. His contributions extended beyond bowling, with a notable score of 34 runs and a crucial 80-run partnership alongside Ollie Pope for the eighth wicket. Hartley emerged as the partnership breaker, dismissing KS Bharat and Ravichandran Ashwin during their 56-run stand for the eighth wicket. His exceptional performance culminated in seven wickets in the innings and a total of nine wickets in the game. Transforming from a debutant with a challenging economy rate to the hero who secured a Test match victory, Hartley’s debut ranks among the best for overseas bowlers in India.

Leach battles injury

Jack Leach entered the match post-recovery from an injury, but misfortune struck while fielding in India’s first innings, resulting in a fresh injury to the left-arm spinner. On the fourth day, he took to the field with a strapped and swollen left leg. Despite the discomfort, Leach showcased resilience by taking the crucial wicket of Shreyas Iyer and delivering 10 overs in the second innings. Additionally, he made a brief appearance with the bat, aiding Ollie Pope in adding a few more runs before Pope’s eventual dismissal in the subsequent over.

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Ollie Pope and the redemption

Ollie Pope, initially dismissed for just one run in the first innings, orchestrated a spectacular redemption in true Bazball fashion, smashing an impressive 196 in the second innings. Employing a variety of shots, including reverse sweeps and Dil-Scoops, Pope made the most of two opportunities, granted at 106 and 188 by Axar Patel and KL Rahul, respectively. This innings not only marked Pope’s maiden second-innings century but also became his second-highest score in his 39-match Test career. Recognizing his outstanding contribution, the 26-year-old was rightfully bestowed with the title of Player of the Match.

Indian spinners reverse-swept

In the second innings, it’s fair to assert that Indian spinners found themselves grappling with the reverse sweep, a tactic wielded effectively by Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley from the opening stand. The unconventional approach continued with Ollie Pope incorporating the reverse Dil Scoop into his repertoire. Notably, the audacious strategy extended to Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, and Tom Hartley, who proficiently utilized the reverse sweep to forge match-winning partnerships of 112, 64, and 80 runs for the sixth, seventh, and eighth wickets, respectively, alongside Pope.

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The run out of Jadeja: Stoke’s captaincy

Ben Stokes showcased stellar captaincy, effectively utilizing his spinners and rectifying a first-innings error with a more strategic in-out field in the second innings, containing the Indian batters adeptly. While excelling with the bat, scoring 70 in the first innings, Stokes faced a misjudgment in the second, managing only 6 runs. However, a highlight of his performance was the exceptional under-arm, reverse flick run-out to dismiss Jadeja, who fell short of his crease due to a freak throw.

Jadeja the all-rounder

Despite an unfortunate run-out, Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round brilliance shone through the match. He contributed significantly with the bat, amassing 87 runs, and also played a pivotal role with the ball, securing five crucial wickets.

Indian spinners walk the talk on Day 1

On the first day, Indian spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja, exhibited precision as they stifled Bazball. Although Ben Stokes later managed to salvage some runs, the spin duo, along with Axar Patel, collectively claimed eight wickets, limiting England to 246. Jasprit Bumrah took the pivotal wicket of Stokes.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Bazball

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s impactful performance in the first innings showcased his prowess against Bazballers. He aggressively attacked English spinners, scoring a fifty in just 47 balls before being caught and bowled by Joe Root, a turning point in the game. In the second innings, Jaiswal continued his aggressive approach but was eventually caught at short leg.

Inexperienced ENG spinners deliver

Despite being labeled as inexperienced and doomed to fail, England’s spin trio of Leach, Hartley, and Ahmed, supported by Joe Root, defied expectations. Together, they accounted for all 18 Indian wickets, excluding run-outs. Debutant Hartley impressed with nine wickets, while Root contributed five. Although Leach and Rehan managed only two wickets each, their collective impact was crucial.

Root the bowler that changed the game

Joe Root’s extraordinary bowling performance significantly impacted the game. Bowling a total of 48 overs, the most in a First-Class game for him, Root claimed four wickets in the English first innings, including two in two balls. In the second innings, he removed a set KL Rahul, shifting momentum decisively in favor of England.

Source By: business-standard.com