IND vs ENG: England has landed in India, geared up for a challenging 5-game test series. Led by Captain Ben Stokes and coached by Brendon McCullum, they’ve embraced an aggressive style of play dubbed “Bazball,” proving successful in recent outings. However, facing the notorious turning tracks of India presents their sternest challenge. Winning a test series on Indian soil remains an arduous task for overseas teams, making it the ultimate litmus test for England. The clash promises gripping cricket as Bazball confronts the spin challenges of India, setting the stage for a compelling battle between two formidable sides.
On the opening day of the first test in Hyderabad, England, after winning the toss, opted to bat first in an attempt to showcase the Bazball strategy. However, their aspirations were thwarted by a formidable Indian bowling attack. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin proved to be the architects of England’s downfall, claiming three wickets each, while Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah contributed with two dismissals each. England managed to post a modest 246 runs in their first inning. In response, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s fluent innings of 76 off 70 balls propelled India to a promising position at 119-1 by the day’s end. The Indian spinners exhibited exceptional skill, turning the ball sharply, leading to some unusual and unexpected dismissals that added intrigue to the day’s play.
The trio of Indian bowlers, featuring the exceptional talents of Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin, collectively chose the standout wicket of the day. It was the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow, orchestrated by Axar Patel, that stole the limelight. The delivery, described as a “Jaffa,” pitched around the middle and leg, executed a sharp turn, and eluded Bairstow’s defense, ultimately dismantling the stumps.
This dismissal proved pivotal, as it disrupted a potentially dangerous partnership between Bairstow and Joe Root that had been forming, injecting a surge of momentum for the Indian side.
IND vs ENG: Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin And Jasprit Bumrah Picked The Best Wicket Of Day 1
Ashwin said: “It was a fantastic delivery. He got that weird angle coming from the wide arc. Batters are always looking to protect their pads. Jonny came across a little bit, it straightened enough to hit the top of off. Hitting the top of off was a dream for any bowler.”
Ravindra Jadeja said: “It was a peach of a delivery and it was an important wicket at that time because they were stitching a partnership.”
4⃣ Bowlers
4⃣ Dismissals
💬 💬 Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja & Axar Patel pick their favourite
Which one is your pick❓#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @Jaspritbumrah93 | @ashwinravi99 | @imjadeja | @akshar2026 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/7fObot6HGP
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 25, 2024
