An off-spinner emerging as star performer of the day sounds normal in sub continent conditions but equally stuns once imagination when it happens in English conditions that too on Day One of the Test match. Such is the beauty of Ravichandran Ashwin and his enhanced skills that came to India’s rescue when it seemed as if the match was going away from the visiting side. The experienced skillful off spinner showed his versatility against a strong batting line up of England.
Ashwin picked the first wicket of the Test series in the form of Alastair Cook as the left hander was deceived by a flighted off break delivery. Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler perished on nothing shorts as Ashwin walked through the batting line up. His last wicket came when he trapped Stuart Broad in front as England ended Day one with 285 runs for the loss of nine wickets. It could have been worse had Dinesh Karthik clinched on to Sam Curran’s edge in last over of the day but Virat Kohli and his troops will be the more happier side at end of days play.
Also read: England vs India: Visitors turn tables around in last session of Day 1
A day that began with the hype of conditions being overcast ended up in good set up for batting and England took full toll of the situation in the first two sessions. It looked as if England are on their way to get a humongous total and critics would have been ready to put Indian team selection under the scanner before Indian skipper grabbed a run out opportunity from both hands. He dismissed Root with a tired but accurate throw which was heartbreaking for English supporters.
Indian bowlers started attacking harder and they were rewarded as wickets fell in quick succession. England lost six wickets in the space of 69 runs which could have been even worse if young Sam Curran hadn’t played the brave innings that he did. There is no second thought that India have the upper hand at the end of days’s play but its early days to call which team will have a positive result at the end of the Test match.
Brief scores: 285/9 in 88 overs (Joe Root 80, Jonny Bairstow 70, Ravichandran Ashwin 25-7-60-4, Mohammad Shami 19-2-64-2)