England’s poor start helps Indian fans retain hopes
Bumrah’s 2/15 Help India Sustain At Oval
After getting bowled out for 191 in the first innings, all hopes for the Indian team looked flooded. Shardul Thakur’s explosive 57 in just 36 balls helped India reach such a spot on the score board.
However, England’s poor start was not what was expected. England ended the day at stumps with 53 runs losing 3 wickets. India’s Jasmit Bumrah’s exceptional bowling resulted in, the British losing 2 wickets in the beginning of the match. Bumrah dismissed England’s Rory Burns with just 5 runs, while Haseeb Hameed was unable to open his account. Towards the end of the match Joe Root (21) was bowled out by Umesh Yadav. David Malan (26) and night watchman Craig Overton (1) are at the crease towards the end of the day at stumps.
In the final session of the Indian innings, Shardul Thakur entertained the fans with his explosive performance. Shardul completed his second half-century of his Test career in just 31 balls. Thakur was dismissed after playing a brilliant innings of 57 runs in 36 balls. Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur shared 63 runs in 48 balls for the eighth wicket. Jasprit Bumrah was run-out for zero after Thakur’s wicket. Shardul even broke a record, becoming the second fastest batsman to score a half-century for India in Test cricket. The fastest fifty is in the name of Kapil Dev (31 balls).
Rishabh Pant flopped once again and was dismissed for 9. After lunch, Ajinkya Rahane got a big life in the last ball of 32nd over. On LBW, Rahane was given out by the umpire on the delivery of Chris Woakes, but he took the DRS at the behest of Kohli and was saved by the decision & remained not out. However, he could not take advantage of this chance he got and was dismissed soon.
Indian captain Virat Kohli who was dropped by Joe Root at 22, completed his 27th half-century in Test cricket and 9th against England. This was Virat’s second half-century in this series. A big innings was expected from Kohli, but he once again got his catch behind the wicket off Robinson’s ball and was dismissed for 50.
However, with his half century, Kohli became the fastest batsman in test matches to score 23000 in 490 matches surpassing Sachin who did it in 522 matches.
There is still hope for India as England’s poor start has made them to lose 3 wickets just for 53 runs at the end of Day 1.
