Indian captain Virat Kohli played a captain’s knock as he extricated India out of a dire situation. India were 6 down with many overs still remaining in the game. But, Kohli held his nerves and played till the end for the draw. Ravindra Jadeja, who had come after Saha departed, also played some positive shots under pressure to see the team home safely. Kohli remained not out for 49. Jadeja scored 32 runs not out.
Indian spinners couldn’t trouble England batsman in both the innings of the match. However, England spinners had strengthened their stranglehold by dismissing Indian top order. Centurions in the first innings, Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay were dismissed cheaply by Adil Rasheed. Rahane was clean bowled by Moeen Ali. Indian batsmen were struggling to save the Test match as India were reeling with 71 for 4 wickets. Kohli and Ashwin steadied the Indian ship as they played some crucial overs. When Ashwin got out for 32 runs, India were reeling 118 for 5 wickets. Saha also followed Ashwin soon. Ravinder Jadeja and captain Virat Kohli braved the last few overs to draw the match.
England captain Alastair Cook scored 130 runs before getting out on the fifth day of the first Test match against India. However, before he got out he secured the match for England as they set a stiff target of 31o runs. With a few sessions left in the match, England were to try and bowl out India out. They were in a commanding position from where they could either win or the match would have ended in draw. And that’s what happened. Perhaps, if Cook had declared earlier, the result would have been different.
England captain Alastair Cook hit his 30th century on the fifth day of the first Test match against India in Rajkot. He continued his innings from Day 4. His partner from Day 4 Haseeb Hameed got out 82 runs. Amit Mishra also got danger man Joe Root out. At lunch England had scored 211 for the loss of 2 wickets and were leading 260 runs.
