Sports desk
7 March
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
In a gripping display of skill and strategy, India asserted their dominance on the first day of the fifth and final cricket test against England. Winning the toss and opting to bat, England faced a formidable Indian bowling attack that dismissed them for 218 runs in the first innings.
Opener Jack Crowley showcased resilience, scoring the highest for England with an impressive 79 runs. However, Kuldeep Yadav’s exceptional performance saw him claiming five crucial wickets, while Ravichandran Ashwin secured four, further solidifying India’s position.
During the crucial first two sessions, England navigated to 100 runs for two wickets till lunch, but India’s relentless bowling restricted them to 194 runs for eight wickets till tea. Notably, experienced off-spinner R. Ashwin and England batsman Jonny Bairstow marked their 100th Test appearances in this historic match.
Adding to the intrigue, Karnataka batsman Devdutt Padikal, recognized for his stellar domestic season in 2023-24, earned a spot in the lineup, replacing the injured Rajat Patidar. As the match unfolds, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await more captivating moments in this riveting contest between two cricketing powerhouses.