Consistent rain on day 5 meant that the first test between India and England ended in a draw. From an advantageous position, the Indian team was denied a a win as rain played spoilsport in the contest. India needed 157 more runs to win after being 52/1 at stumps on day 4. However, inclement weather coupled with consistent rain meant the umpires were forced to abandon the day’s play.
England won the toss and opted to bat first on day 1. They were bowled out for 189 in the first innings with Jasprit Bumrah taking four wickets and England skipper Joe Root soring 64. Mohammed Shami also picked three wickets in the first innings as rest of the England batters failed to come to terms with the Indian bowlers.
KL Rahul top-scored for India with the bat in their first innings as they scored 278 gaining a crucial 95-run lead. Ravindra Jadeja also scored 56 off 86 balls and Bumrah’s quickfire 28 helped India get to that score.
In England’s second innings, Root again stood tall scoring his 21st Test ton and his sixth against India to post a total of 303 in the second innings.
JaspritBumrah once again impressed with the ball, picking his second fifer on English soil. Another impressive bowling performance by the Indian bowlers set up a perfect day’s play for India on the final day. Indian openers KL Rahul (26) and Rohit Sharma brought the deficit down to 157 chasing 209 for victory. India scored 52 by the end of day four.
England vs India First Test Ends In Draw
India needed 157 on the final day but rain then played spoilsport to deny India get a 1-0 advantage in the series. Meanwhile, England would consider themselves lucky to have avoided a potential defeat. The final day’s play had all the makings of an Indian win and an England defeat. However, the rain gods have favored the home team bring the series right in the balance with four Test matches remaining.
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