Chennai: England cricket team had registered an emphatic victory against India by a massive 227 runs in the first Test of the four-match series at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Both teams will face off each other tomorrow foe second Test cat the same venue and with 50 per cent attendance allowed for spectators
Innthe first Test, Joe Root was the wrecker-in-chief for his team with a scintillating knock of 218 runs off 377 deliveries in the first innings followed by an impressive 40 off 32 in their second innings. While England had delivered a comprehensive performance with both the bat and ball, some credit needs to be given to the pitch of Chennai too.
The visiting nation had taken a massive lead over the Men in Blue by winning the toss and electing to bat first. For the first two days of the marquee game, the pitch was slow and flat without much carry, thus it didn’t provide any assistance to the host bowlers.
However, there was a massive turnaround in the pitch from Day 3, when Indian batsmen were there in the middle. Speaking about the pitch, Indian skipper Virat Kohli had reckoned in the post-match presentation, ‘It was a pretty slow wicket with not much happening in the first two days with the ball.’
All eyes would be on to see whetjer a fit Axar Patel would replace ineffective Shahbaz Nadeem. Also the top order failing to score baring Kohli and Pujara is a cause of concern.
Ashwin’s good show with ball, Washy’s effective batting were highlights of first Test. Rohit Sharma has failed to come to the party. Pants poor work with gloves is a worry too.
After winning the first Test, Root said, “Crucial toss but from that point we had to follow through and make the most of a very good wicket. We did that very well. To take 20 wickets in alien conditions is a brilliant job from the bowlers. Knew from the outset it was going to be a good wicket. The first partnership got us going. Different stages guys came in and contributed. That’s got to be the way – if we’re going to win out here someone has to do that. Fortunately it was me this week. We know that India are going to come back hard at us. The idea was to get to 400. Didn’t quite materialise like that. But having spent some time out there, I knew the wicket had changed drastically and knew it was going to change again. Wanted to take India’s win out of the equation. As a bowling group we didn’t want to worry about the run rate. Standing here, having won the first game is very pleasing.”