Cricket News : England Vs India 5th Test Match A Power-Pant and an age-less Anderson show on Day 1
From 98/5 to 338/7, India just saved themselves from a horrible first day here at Edgbaston on this rescheduled last test match against England.
Birmingham, UK. 01st July, 2022. Rishabh Pant of India celebrates a century (100 runs)A day dominated by both the teams equally; first-half by the England bowlers and second-half by Indian lower-order batters. From never ageing James Anderson swings to one-handed six by Rishabh Pant the first day had everything any solid test match needs, setting a benchmark for the following days.
Indian Batters collapse, and age-less James Anderson strikes for England.
Though it was the last match and India was already leading the series by 2-1, this was a very different vibe carrying the game, and India didn't start well. Jasprit Bumrah lost the first toss of his international career as a skipper. England's pitch already had a little rain in the morning, and then bright sunlight was waiting for pacers to swing the ball. Shubman Gill started well with boundaries, but James Anderson, as usual, did what he is best known for, constantly swinging the ball at the right length and pitch. England's new pacer Matthew Potts maintained the rhythm and helped James Anderson. James Anderson nicked three edges, whereas Matthew Potts took an lbw and bowled struggling Virat Kohli. The duo sent India's top 5 batters back to the pavilion at a small total of 98.
Pant brutality and Jadeja support put India in a better position.
After losing half of the team, India was already in a bad mood. Still, the two left-handers on the crease - Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, destroyed the happiness of England's squad as they went on to play 239 balls and scored 222 runs in absolute attacking mode. The left-handers destroyed the newly found confidence in the English bowling line-up, highlighting the depth they lack in the bowling department. Rishabh Pant completed his fifth test century, which also became the fastest test century by a wicketkeeper batter. While Rishabh Pant played with adventurism at a strike rate of 130-plus to fetch 146 off 111, Ravindra Jadeja played a more measured knock. They rocketed the evening session with a run rate of 5.66 to wrestle back control of this match.
"The word "great" sits comfortably on this innings. What a player. #RishabhPant." tweeted Harsha Bhogle.
England will be shell-shocked. From having complete control at the start of the game to losing the plot and being slaughtered by the two-star batters- Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, the bowlers were left clueless. England bowlers will now look to bounce back with fresh energy and plans. On the other hand, India will look to stretch their total with Ravindra Jadeja still present on the crease.