The first Test match between India and England has been a roller coaster ride. After the first day both India look in a commanding position. India was able to dismiss England for a mere 183. They ended the day at 21 for the loss of no wicket. England were in a commanding position at one point when Joe Root and Bairstow were batting.

After Bairstow got out Joe Root was threatening to take the game away from India. He completed his 50 and was scoring at a brisk rate. part from Root, no one was able to offer much resistance as Dan Lawrence, Jos Buttler got out in quick succession and for India, they desperately need to get rid of Root, who could prove to be a threat had he been there for a long time in the middle. The England captain was dismissed for 64 runs by Shardul Thakur.

.@imShard is introduced into the attack and he strikes straight away.

Joe Root and Robinson depart in the same over.

Live – https://t.co/TrX6JMiei2 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/i7IR09aojW

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 4, 2021

Shardul Thakur first trapped Joe Root with a full ball that came back in sharply and it was plumb in front. Three balls later, Robinson went for an ugly hoick but straight into the hands of the mid-on fielder and England were 155/8 and Thakur had suddenly two wickets in his kitty. Shardul Thakur has the knack of picking up wickets in the middle overs even in limited-overs cricket. He was elated that he was able to help his team at that given point.

“It was cloudy for a while and I was really happy that we got 10 wickets. If you see he (Root) had played a few balls and he was playing really well and looked poised for a big score. At that period, getting him out was crucial for us and we got him. Really happy (on getting Root’s wicket). One of the top batters in the world, whether you get him in the 60s or 90s it’s always a good wicket to have,” Shardul Thakur said at the end of the day’s play. 

The wicket suited four pacers combinations: Shardul Thakur

The playing XI left many fans and former cricketers shocked with no Ravichandran Ashwin and India going with four pace options. Speaking on the same, Shardul Thakur stated that wicket suited that pretty well.

“If you look at the pitch it looked like it won’t spin much and felt better to go with 4 pacers and one spinner combination. Enjoying the English conditions, it’s swinging and hopefully it will stay the same. We got good pitches to practice in Durham and really enjoyed the conditions there,” Shardul Thakur added. 

India are currently in a commanding position and should try to bat well in the first two sessions tomorrow. Having wickets in hand will be the key for them. This test match has taken a huge turn in India’s favour and they should try to make use of this.

---