The first IND vs ENG Test is underway at Hyderabad’s Uppal Stadium. England won the toss and opted to bat first. Their decision to bat first paid off as openers Ben Duckett and Zack Crawley batted well and provided the team with a great start.
The duo added 55 runs for the opening partnership and dominated the first hour of play. However, the introduction of spin changed the fortunes of England in the first IND vs ENG game. They lost three wickets quickly and came under pressure.
Ravichandran Ashwin provided the breakthrough for his team as he first removed Ben Duckett for 35 runs by trapping him in lbw. After that, Ravindra Jadeja stepped up and removed Ollie Pope, who looked scratchy right from the time he arrived at the crease for the IND vs ENG Test.
The equal credit for Ollie Pope’s wicket goes to skipper Rohit Sharma. The Indian skipper took a blinder in the slips. During the 4th ball of the 15th over, Ravindra Jadeja bowled a tossed-up delivery on his off stump.
Ollie Pope tried to push forward with hard hands and didn’t cover for the angle and got a thick edge. The ball went low and in front of Rohit Sharma at slip. The Indian captain dived forward and got his fingers under it to take a clean catch.
Here’s the video:
Ollie Pope managed just 1 runs off 11 balls. He didn’t look good at the crease. After Ravindra Jadeja removed him, Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in again and put his team in the front foot after having a frustrating one hour of IND vs ENG test.
Ashwin sent Zack Crawley packing to leave England in totters. The opening batter looked good but he played a false shot and ended up giving a low catch to Mohammed Siraj at covers. From 55/0, they were reduced to 60/3.
IND vs ENG: Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow steady the England innings
After England was reduced to 60/3, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow steadied the innings and bailed the team out of trouble in the first IND vs ENG game. Despite them losing wickets early, the duo made sure that they scored runs quickly and made most of the loose balls.
The duo added 50 runs for the partnership and made sure that they eased the nerves and counterattack. Bairstow in particular has been the aggressor and has scored runs quickly. Root on the other hand is taking time to settle but is making sure he gets runs as well.
