India vs England, 4th Test: Key takeaways of Day 1
Team India completely dominated the proceedings on Day 1 of the final Test against England in Ahmedabad. After electing bat on a seemingly flat track, the Joe Root-led side faltered at the start. Although Ben Stokes inspired hope in the England camp, his dismissal left the visitors in disarray. Meanwhile, the likes of Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin remained in action throughout.
How did Day 1 pan out?
Batting first, England made a patchy start, with openers Zak Crawley and Dominic Sibley departing soon. India also got rid of England captain Joe Root in the first session. After lunch, Stokes raced to his 24th Test half-century, but his untimely dismissal (55) made life difficult for the visitors. Eventually, England were bundled out for 205. At stumps, the hosts finished on 24/1.
Axar, Ashwin dominate the English batsmen
Local boy Axar Patel has duly emerged as the find of the series. Once again, he decimated England's batting line-up with his immaculate line and length. In the first innings, he picked up the wicket of Sibley on his second delivery of the match. While he registered bowling figures of 4/68, his compatriot Ravichandran Ashwin finished with 3/47.
Siraj also impressed with his rapid pace
Besides Axar and Ashwin, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj also impressed with his intense pace. He gave India two breakthroughs in the form of Bairstow and Root. Meanwhile, Washington Sundar too chipped in with the crucial wicket of Stokes.
Bairstow continues to struggle against India
England batsman Bairstow continues his poor run after getting dismissed for 28 in the first innings. He has managed to score only 67 runs in his last nine innings against India. The right-handed batsman hasn't recorded a single 30+ score in these games, and registered five ducks. His last nine Test scores vs India: 15, 0, 6, 0, 0, 18, 0, 0, 28.
Yet gain, Crawley falls to a left-arm spinner
England opener Zak Crawley failed to score in double digits for the second time this series. Interestingly, has been dismissed for the seventh consecutive time by a left-arm spinner in Test cricket (L Embuldeniya: 4, Axar: 3).
Anderson sends back Shubman Gill early on
Just like England, the hosts had a bleak start as opener Shubman Gill fell in the very first over. The most successful fast bowler in Test cricket, James Anderson, uprooted Gill on the third delivery. With this, Anderson has raced to 612 Test wickets. As per Cricbuzz, Anderson has now dismissed joint-most batsmen (104) on duck in Test cricket alongside Glenn McGrath.
