Joe Root becomes England’s most successful test captain in history.
One of the great spells in recent memory in test history, James Anderson, along with Jack Leach help take the nine wickets to lead England to victory.
After taking the wicket of Rohit Sharma last night to leave India 39/1 at close, wickets where the only thing in mind for Joe Root and his bowlers as they targeted the perfect start for the test series.
The day was only four overs old when England made the first breakthrough. Cheteshwar Pujara clipping the ball to Ben Stokes at slip.
Dom Bess, who was only given two of last nights 15 overs looked shattered, his line and length as inconsistent as Rory Burns’ test scores. Shuabman Gill and Virat Kohli adding quick runs, with the latter hitting three consecutive bounties off the Ex-Somerset bowler.
Freddie Flintoff’s over against Ricky Ponting and Jaques Kallis have gone down in memory for England fans, and they now something new to binge watch whilst getting pummelled by Australia in December.
Jimmy Anderson first bowling Gill, who had made a well played 50, getting the ball to reverse swing after 25 overs. He did not stop there, Ajinkya Rahane surivived an umpires call for LBW first ball, before England’s all time wicket taker bowled India’s number 5, sending his stump cartwheeling out of the ground.
Rishabh Pant, who top scored for the host in the first innings, is not known for his defensive capabilities, his counter attacking and expansive style of cricket is one of the best in the world, so when Anderson took his wicket for only 11, it was not a surprise to anyone. Anderson’s figures stood at 3-7.
Washington Sundar was the last recognised batsman, lasting only five balls, without scoring. Dom Bess finding the edge and Jos Buttler taking a fine catch. DRS having to intervene as on field umpires gave not out before ‘Snicko’ showed the clear contact.
England where fully into the bowlers with over two sessions left, the partnership of captain Kohli and experienced spinner Ashwin would have to see out the majority of the rest of the day if the hosts where to miraculously salvage anything from the match.
Kohli sauntered to his half-century, his false shot percentage stood at 0% for his second innings. The two batsman adding 50 to the total, more importantly only being able to be at the crease for just over an hour together.
Leach took his opposite number, as Ashwin attempted to cut the ball, only gloving it behind to Buttler who took his fourth catch of the match.
Ben Stokes then came on for his spell, his aim was to repeat the feat of the 2018 home series against the same opposition, where he dismissed Kohli as England won an emphatic first test.
Lightning did strike twice, a full swinging ball castling one if the great’s of the current generation.
It was simple work dismissing the tail, Nadeem was dismissed for a 13 ball duck, dismissed in the game withlut scoirng.
Jofra Archer took the final wicket, catching the edge of Bumrah for 4, sealing a 228 run victory.
England will make changes for the second test test, Jos Buttler leaves the country and possible rotation will occur as England make the 2021 record at 3-0.
Mehdi Daley Sport 