The first test match of the currently ongoing India-England series at Trent Bridge Nottingham ended in a draw. It was a game marred by rain without which India would have won, feel Indian fans of course. The second match at Lords was an absorbing contest that India won on day five – a rare enough thing these days! Usually, a test match with a result is wrapped up much before Day 5. So here’s what happened when Joe Root’s men clashed with Virat Kohli’s men.
England won the toss and decided to bat first. The home team made 183 and 303 in their two innings.
India made 278 in their first innings to take nearly a 100 run lead. Joe Root (MoM) made 64 and 109 but to no avail.
But the rain had other plans and the match ended with India at 52 for 1.
Well it certainly seemed that way. India was set a gettable target of 209.
It seemed to be a promising contest. But the rain had other plans.
The rain is like a third team in this contest, and seems to have a disproportionate amount of power in deciding the results of matches.
England won the toss and decided to field first this time. India made 364 in their first innings, with K L Rahul ((player of the match) top-scoring with 129.
One drunk English fan hit K L Rahul with champagne corks while in another instance a fan wearing an Indian jersey entered the ground as 12th man.
England made 391 in their first innings and then skipper Kohli declared the Indian innings at 298 for 8. This was an excellent decision, as it turned out.
The English batsmen were dismissed for just 120 runs even with a not overwhelming target of 272 to get. Mohammed Siraj claimed four wickets in each innings.
Not only did the Indian bowlers crush any hopes England may have nursed of winning the test, but they also did a great job with the bat. Mohammed Shami made 56 and Jasprit Bumrah made 34 and both remained not out in India’s second innings (declared).
India winning the second test on English soil is a terrific achievement.
India and England will now square off in the third, fourth and fifth tests: 25-29 August, 2-6 September and 10-14 September.
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