England upset all the odds to defeat India in the opening Chennai Test. The crucial 241 runs lead in the first innings assured England’s chances and the rest of the job done by their bowlers who scripted a comfortable 227-runs win over the hosts. England now takes the top spot in WTC 2019-21 and India slipped to fourth in the points table.
Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
Toss: England opted to bat first
Detailed Match Report
Day 1
Sibley and Burns both were steady to survive the first crucial hour. They put 63 runs for the opening wicket before Ashwin dismissed Rory Burns on 33. Bumrah got his maiden wicket at home by picking Lawrence on the duck. India had a laugh in the last hour of the lunch session.
Joe Root and Sibley both survived any blow in the second session. Sibley completed his half-century and Root continued his top form. Ishant troubled in the last hour but England scored 77 runs without losing a wicket in the tea session.
Root completed his 50th test half-century and the partnership reached 150 runs. In the final session, India fought hard for the third wicket and Joe Root completed his 20th test century to become the 9th player to score a hundred in the 100th Test. Jasprit Bumrah broke the gritty stand with the wicket of Sibley who missed out the ton by 3 runs. At the stumps, England finished high with 263/3.
Day 2
Stokes joined Root and nothing changed in England’s attitude. Root crossed 150 and Stokes completed his fifty. Nadeem break 124-runs stand to send Stokes on 82. Joe Root completed his second Test double ton in Asia and become the top-scorer in the 100th Test. Ollie Pope added 86 runs with Root to assure a big total for England. Nadeem ended the gorgeous knock of Root but England increased its batting run-rate. They ended the second day on a high note and Root didn’t declare the innings.
Day 3
Washington Sundar got two in two to dismiss England’s long innings at 578. Bumrah and Ashwin both picked three wickets each.
India lost early as Jofra Archer picked Rohit Sharma on 6. Pujara and Gill constructed the innings. Gill couldn’t add more runs to his short cameo and went out for 29. Mini-collapse formed when India lost Kohli and Rahane in quick succession. From 73/4, Pujara and Pant build the innings with a fighting partnership of 119 runs. Dom Bess picked both batsmen to end the day in England’s favour. Pujara scored a gritty 73 and Pant missed out another Test ton by 9 runs. At the end of the third day, India were struggling at 257/6 with Sundar and Ashwin in middle.
Day 4
Washington Sundar completed his second half-century and added valuable 80 runs with Ashwin for 7th wicket. India didn’t add much to its score and lost the last four wickets on 36. Washington Sundar remained not out England avoided enforcing the follow-on despite getting the lead of 241 runs.
England lost Rory Burns on the first ball of the Ashwin. After Lunch, Root looked quick and England were looking for more runs. Between the aggressive approach, the Indian bowlers got regular wickets. Ashwin bagged his 28th fifer and claimed 6 wickets to bowl out England on 178.
Chasing the target of 419 runs, India lost Rohit Sharma early. Pujara and Gill survived the final half an hour to end the day on 39/1.
Day 5
India lost Pujara early but Gill showed good intent against spin with completing half-century. Root brought Anderson and in his first over of the day, Anderson got Gill and Rahane with reverse swing. India couldn’t sustain in the first session and lost Pant as well. Sundar got a duck and India lost its 6 wickets on 117. Kohli and Ashwin showed a steady approach with a 54-run stand. Leach broke this partnership with Ashwin’s wicket after Kohli completing his half-century. With Ashwin’s wicket, India’s hopes for the draw died. Kohli played some beautiful shots and Stokes bagged him on 72. India bowled out on 192 and England went 1-0 up in the series.
Star Performer of the Match
Joe Root is our star performer of the match. The English captain scored a second double century in Asia and set new records in his 100th Test. Root scored fine 218 to help England to post 578 which assured England’s chances in this match. He also scored a quick 40 in 2nd innings.
5 impactful players of the match
Joe Root 218 & 40
James Anderson 46/2 & 17/3
R Ashwin 146/3 & 61/6
Dom Bess 76/4 & 50/1
Jack Leach 105/2 & 76/4
