Twitter Reactions: Bazball passes first Test in India with 28-run win in Hyderabad

Tom Hartley. (Photo Source: BCCI)

England went 1-0 up in the five-match Test series as they beat India by 28 runs on Day 4 of the first Test at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Sunday, January 28. England began the day leading India by 126 runs and extended it to 230 with magnificent innings from Ollie Pope of 196 along with some valuable contributions from Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed.

In reply, India were bundled out for 202 chasing 231 to win as debutant Hartley starred with the ball with figures of 7/62 in 26.2 overs. Notably, it was the first loss for the hosts after taking a first innings lead of over 100 runs on home soil. Pope was deservedly awarded Player of the Match for his match-turning knock.

Earlier in the day, England resumed their innings on 316/6 leading by 126 runs with Ollie Pope (148*) and Rehan Ahmed (16*) at the crease and the duo extended their partnership to 64. Jasprit Bumrah once again turned out to be the man with the golden arm for India as he made Ahmed edge one through to the wicketkeeper. However, there was still no respite for India as Tom Hartley walked in next and got involved in a crucial 80-run stand with Pope to take England’s lead past 220.

Also Read: Committed mindset key to playing the reverse sweep: Joe Root

At the other end, Pope was inching towards the second double hundred of his career. Ravichandran Ashwin came to India’s rescue and put an end to the runflow as he dismantled Hartley’s stumps. Ravindra Jadeja got rid of Mark Wood (0 off 7) while Bumrah finished the innings by shattering Pope’s stumps who missed out on a well-deserved 200 getting dismissed for 196.

India’s chase of 231 got off to a decent start as openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (15 off 35) and Rohit Sharma (39 off 58) added 42 runs for the first wicket. The duo looked circumspect out in the middle and played defensively as compared to the first innings.

Being fresh from a good batting performance, Hartley channelled his confidence into bowling as well and dismissed Jaiswal and Gill in the same over caught by Ollie Pope who was standing close in. Captain Sharma played some shots but eventually fell prey to who trapped him in front of the stumps.

India went into Tea at 95/3 with KL Rahul (21) and Axar Patel (17) at the crease. However, the third session brought England into the ascendancy with Patel, Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja (2) and Shreyas Iyer (13) falling in a space of 23 runs leaving India in all sorts of trouble at 119/7 still 112 runs away from a win.

Also Read: ‘It’s an absolute masterclass’ – Joe Root lauds Ollie Pope’s mammoth knock against India

Tom Hartley’s 7-fer brought India down to their knees

A 57-run stand between Ashwin (28 off 84) and Srikar Bharat (28 off 59) brought India back into the game as they were 55 runs away from a win. However, Tom Hartley once again struck back with a couple of strikes dismissing both the set batters leaving India on 177/9 with 54 runs away from a win.

Jasprit Bumrah (6 off 18) and Mohammed Siraj (12 off 20) tried their best but couldn’t take their team over the line as Hartley completed his 7-fer bundling out India for 202 runs and setting up a 28-run win for England.

Meanwhile, X was abuzz with reactions on England’s emphatic win. Here are some of the posts: