Chennai: Indian captain Virat Kohli’s 24th Test fifty went in vain as spinner Jack Leach (4/76) and James Anderson (3/17) guided England to a magnificent 227-run win in the first Test at MA Chidambaram Stadium here today. With this win, England lead the 4-match series 1-0.
Chasing 420 for victory, the hosts crumbled to 192 with Gill and Virat being the sole contributor. Veteran Anderson and newbie Jack Leach made sure India lose all their wickets before Tea on final day of the Test.
The day started well with Pujara and Gill being positive against spin. The pair seemed to be in control before Leach got one to bounce more to get rid of India’s mainstay – Pujara. Then Anderson was introduced and he just broke the backbone of the batting line-up in four deliveries, cleaning up a well-set Gill and a struggling Rahane. The veteran followed it up by deceiving Pant with a slower ball and putting England on course to victory.
Kohli battled on at one end and got some support from Ashwin, they defied England for some time but it was Leach who once again provided the breakthrough. Stokes then got into action, getting one to stay down and castling Kohli for 72 and it was just a formality after that.
A dejected Virat Kohli said, “I don’t think we put enough pressure on them with the ball in the first half. Collectively as a bowling unit, fast bowlers and Ash, were good in the first innings but we also needed to contain a few more runs and create pressure. Having said that, it was a slow wicket and not helping the bowlers which made it easy for the batsmen to rotate strike and get into the game. Just looked like not much happening in it on the first two days. But credit to England, they got stuck in and put up a big total on the board. Our body language and intensity was not up to the mark, second innings we were much better.”
“That’s a fair assessment (the fourth and fifth bowlers not being up to the mark). You need your bowling unit to step up and create pressure on the opposition. We didn’t achieve that in this game which is fine, lack of execution is acceptable but to understand our mindset was right is very important for us. I think we did well in the second innings with the ball and put pressure on them. With the bat as well we left a few things to be desired and analysed as batsmen.”
“We are always learning as a side and evolving as a side and Test cricket is tough. England were ready for that grind and probably better equipped than us,” added Kohli.
On his part, Leach, said, “My first time in India. They have a great batting lineup and I knew the pressure that comes with it. Happy to take some wickets and get the boys over the line. Thought he was playing in the IPL (Pant). It’s a challenge that comes for a spinner. Was a tough evening that one but boys helped me stay strong. Had a long time without any cricket (before Sri Lanka). Was about bowling those long overs in the heat.”
Highlights
* Joe Root becomes the 4th English captain to win the 1st Test of a series in India
* This is England’s biggest win in terms of runs in India
* 7th biggest win by any visiting team in terms of runs in India
* 4th Test victory for England at Chennai out of 5 Tests