India vs England, 1st Test Day 1 Highlights: Root’s ton, Sibley’s 87 put England in comfort zone against India
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- FEB 05, 2021 05:03 PM IST
India vs England, 1st Test, Day 1 Stumps
That will be the end of Day of 1st India vs England Test. Jasprit Bumrah struck in the final over to remove England opener, Dominic Sibley, on 87 and broke the 200-run stand for the third wicket. England reached 263 for 3 at the stumps on the first day of the opening Test. Captain Joe Root remained unbeaten on 128.
- FEB 05, 2021 04:52 PM IST
2 overs to go
Two overs remaining in the first day's play and England have been phenomenal so far. Magnificent batting from Joe Root and Dom Sibley has kept the Indian bowlers at bay. ENG: 261/2 after 88 overs.
- FEB 05, 2021 04:46 PM IST
Ashwin to Root: SIX
SIX! A beautiful shot from the England captain. Root has slammed a six and is down with a cramp. He is hobbling but makes sure that the ball clears the fence. Tossed up delivery, Root stretches out and slog-sweeps to clear the midwicket boundary. ENG: 261/2
- FEB 05, 2021 04:43 PM IST
Ashwin replaces Bumrah
Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack from the Anna Pavilion end and replaced Jasprit Bumrah. The off-spinner will be expected to get a wicket before stumps on day one.
- FEB 05, 2021 04:35 PM IST
Bumrah into attack
Jasprit Bumrah comes into the attack as India deploy pace from both ends. The hosts are desperate to break this huge partnership between Dominic Sibley and Joe Root before stumps.
- FEB 05, 2021 04:32 PM IST
Maiden From Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma bowls a maiden to the 14th over of his spell. England are going super strong as Root and Sibley have stitched a 186-run stand for the third wicket. ENG: 249/2 after 84 overs.
- FEB 05, 2021 04:22 PM IST
Ishant to Root: FOUR
FOUR! Terrific shot from the English captain. Full and wide from Ishant, Root moves out and drives beautifully through cover for his 12th boundary. ENG: 247/2 after 82 overs
- FEB 05, 2021 04:18 PM IST
Ashwin to Sibley: FOUR - leg byes
That was some spin. The ball turned sharply, took a bit of Sibley's pad and went through the gap between the keeper and the first slip for a boundary. ENG: 242/2 after 81 overs.
- FEB 05, 2021 04:09 PM IST
Stats Alert
Century for Joe Root
· 5th Test century for Root in Asia — 2nd most by an English batsman in Asia
· 3rd Test century for Root in ICC World Test Championship
· 2nd Test century in India for Joe Root — 11th English batsman to score multiple centuries in India
· 1st century for Root at Chennai
· Consecutive century for Root against India
· 3rd consecutive Test with a century for Root.
· 5th visiting captain to score a century at Chennai
- FEB 05, 2021 04:04 PM IST
Joe Root becomes 9th batsman to score hundred on his 100th Test
Joe Root - 9th batsman to score hundred on his 100th Test. - FEB 05, 2021 03:59 PM IST
Century for Joe Root
· 20th Test century for Joe Root — joint 8th most for England.
· 9th Test century for Root outside England — joint 7th most for by an English batsman.
· 9th Test century for Root as captain in Tests — joint 4th most for England.
- FEB 05, 2021 03:54 PM IST
Sundar to Sibley - FOUR
FOUR! A beautiful sweep shot from Sibley. Pitching down leg, Sibley gets down and slaps it away to the long leg boundary.
- FEB 05, 2021 03:51 PM IST
Nadeem to Root - FOUR
FOUR! Another amazing shot from the English captain and he moves to 98. A late cut from Root and it goes racing away into the third man boundary.
- FEB 05, 2021 03:45 PM IST
200-up for England
The partnership between Root and Sibley is growing strong with time. They have stitched a 142-run stand for the third wicket, bringing up 200 runs on the board. On the other hand, Kohli & Co are toiling hard to break this stand. ENG: 205/2 after 74 overs.
- FEB 05, 2021 03:42 PM IST
Fourth no-ball from Shahbaz Nadeem
It's been a tough day for Nadeem at Chepauk as he has bowled four overstepped no-ball so far on Day 1. Ishant Sharma has bowled as many while Bumrah has 3 to his name.
- FEB 05, 2021 03:38 PM IST
Another boundary from Joe Root
Nadeem to Root - FOUR! The English captain has been nailing India's spin attack right from the beginning of his innings. Root plays the switch hit and gets the boundary from behind square on the off-side.
- FEB 05, 2021 03:32 PM IST
Nadeem to Root - FOUR
FOUR! Brilliantly played by the England captain. Plays the slog sweep and gets the boundary through the vacant mid-wicket region. His 10th seep shot today in Chennai. ENG: 185/2
- FEB 05, 2021 03:28 PM IST
Joe Root's sweep shot on Day 1
Played: 9
Hits: 9
Missed: 0
Runs: 16
Strike Rate: 177.8
- FEB 05, 2021 03:25 PM IST
ICC World Test Championship Final qualification scenario
- FEB 05, 2021 03:20 PM IST
Washington Sundar back into the attack
Washington Sundar is back into the attack and Joe Root welcomes with a boundary. A poor delivery to start with. Drifting down the leg side which allows Root to play the sweep and get a boundary through leg slip. ENG: 177/2 after 68 overs
- FEB 05, 2021 03:10 PM IST
7th century stand for England’s 3rd wicket pair in India
Number of century stands for England’s 3rd wicket pair in India - FEB 05, 2021 03:04 PM IST
Century partnership for 3rd wicket between Sibley and Root
- 2nd century stands between Sibley and Root
- 8th century stand for 3rd wicket by a visiting pair at Chennai
- 3rd consecutive Test with a century stand for 3rd wicket by England
- Consecutive century stand for 3rd wicket by England against India
- FEB 05, 2021 03:03 PM IST
A useful suggestion for Shahbaz Nadeem
- FEB 05, 2021 03:00 PM IST
Maiden from Nadeem
A good over from Shahbaz Nadeem to halt England's scoring rate for a bit. He delivers the second maiden-over of in his spell but yet to pick a wicket. ENG: 159/2 after 63 overs.
- FEB 05, 2021 02:58 PM IST
Joe Root in Tests
As captain: 47 matches, 3711 runs, 46.39 Average, 8 centuries, Best - 228
Not as captain: 53 matches, 4594 runs, 52.80 Average, 11 centuries, Best - 254
- FEB 05, 2021 02:52 PM IST
Nadeem to Sibley - FOUR
FOUR! A loose delivery from Nadeem - short and wide. Sibley steps back and plays it away to the left of backward point for a boundary.
- FEB 05, 2021 02:50 PM IST
Stats Alert!
150 up for England
0-50 runs: 19.3 overs, 0 wickets, run rate - 2.62
51-100 runs: 24 overs, 2 wickets, run rate - 2.04
101-150 runs: 15.5 overs, 0 wickets, run rate - 3.16
- FEB 05, 2021 02:45 PM IST
150-up for India
The pair of Sibley and Root is going strong against the hosts as they take their score beyond 150-run. After a hard-fought fifty by Dom Sibley, England captain Root joins the party with his 50th half-century in the longest format of the game. ENG: 151/2
- FEB 05, 2021 02:42 PM IST
50th Test fifty for England captain Joe Root
· 26th Test half-century for Joe Root outside England.
· 23rd Test half-century for Root as captain.
· 10th Test half-century for Joe Root against India.
· 10th Test half-century for Joe Root in Asia.
· 6th Test half-century for Joe Root in India.
· 2nd fifty for Root at Chennai and both in 1st innings of the Test.
· Consecutive fifty plus score Root against India.
- FEB 05, 2021 02:39 PM IST
Nadeem into the attack
Shahbaz Nadeem comes to bowl from the Anna Pavilion End. So far he has bowled 10 overs and conceded 28 runs and yet to pick a wicket.
- FEB 05, 2021 02:36 PM IST
Third session begins
England batsmen Dom Sibley (53*) and Joe Root (45*) are out to bat and will resume the innings on 140/2. Ishant Sharma will be starting the final session for India.
- FEB 05, 2021 02:25 PM IST
IND vs ENG, 1st Test Day 1: 2nd session summary
Overs: 30
Runs: 73
Wickets: 0
Run rate: 2.43
Over rate: 15.1
- FEB 05, 2021 02:19 PM IST
Most no balls bowled by India in an innings since 01 Jan 2015
No balls bowled by India in an innings since 01 Jan 2015 - FEB 05, 2021 02:14 PM IST
End of second session
Its' been a very good second session for England on the first day of the first Test against India in Chennai. Dominic Sibley remains unbeaten on 53 while Joe Root was batting on 45* at the break. ENG: 140/2
- FEB 05, 2021 02:04 PM IST
Ashwin to Root - FOUR, FOUR
England captain is on fire now. Charges Ravichandran Ashwin form back-to-back boundaries and moves to 44; just 6 runs short of his 50th Test fifty. ENG: 138/2
- FEB 05, 2021 01:56 PM IST
Words of appreciation from former England captain
- FEB 05, 2021 01:48 PM IST
Half-century for Dom Sibley
A hard-fought half-century for England opener Dominic Sibley.
· His 4th Test half-century for Sibley
· 2nd Test half-century outside England
· 1st against India and in India
· Consecutive 50 for Dom Sibley in Tests
- FEB 05, 2021 01:42 PM IST
Stats Alert
Fifty partnership for 3rd wicket between Dom Sibley and Joe Root
- 4th fifty-plus partnership between Sibley and Root in Tests.
- 3rd consecutive Test with a 50+ stand for 3rd wicket by England in the team’s 1st innings.
- Consecutive 50+ stand for 3rd wicket by England against India in Tests.
- 3rd consecutive Test for England in India with a 50+ stand for 3rd wicket in the team’s 1st innings.
- 6th partnership of 50+ for 3rd wicket by England at Chennai
- FEB 05, 2021 01:38 PM IST
Nadeem to Sibley - FOUR
FOUR! A boundary after a no-ball is extremely painful for the bowler. But Dom Sibley would enjoy it as he moves to 48. The latter leans forward and plays a neat flick through square-leg.
- FEB 05, 2021 01:35 PM IST
50-run stand between Sibley and Root
The duo of Dom Sibley and Joe Root brings up a 50-run stand for the third wicket. The English captain played another flawless sweep shot to notch another boundary through mid-wicket.
- FEB 05, 2021 01:33 PM IST
Sibley hits a boundary
Sundar to Sibley - FOUR! Another handsome shot from the English opener. Well played behind square for a boundary. He moves to 44 now. ENG: 109/2
- FEB 05, 2021 01:32 PM IST
Sibley moves to 40
Dominic Sibley has been rock solid against the Indian attack on a flat Chennai track. He is eyeing his 4th Test fifty and have already stitched a 42-run stand for the third wicket along with captain Joe Root. ENG: 104/2
- FEB 05, 2021 01:24 PM IST
100-up for England
Dom Sibley hits a boundary to Shahbaz Nadeem to bring up 100 runs on the board. The English opener clipped the flighted delivery through mid-on for a boundary. ENG: 100/2
- FEB 05, 2021 01:20 PM IST
Sundar to Root: FOUR
FOUR! Another beautiful boundary from the England captain against Washinton Sundar. Root played his trademark reverse sweep to send the ball behind point for a fine boundary.
- FEB 05, 2021 01:14 PM IST
Sundar to Root: FOUR
Not the kind of start Sundar would have expected. Fuller delivery Root stretches himself to drive past Ashwin at cover for a boundary.
- FEB 05, 2021 01:12 PM IST
Washington Sundar into the attack
After 40 overs, Washington Sundar has finally been brought into the attack. He will be expected to continue his Brisbane heroics which helped India registering a historic win against Australia in January.
- FEB 05, 2021 01:03 PM IST
Ashwin to Sibley: FOUR
FOUR! First boundary for England after lunch. Beautiful shot from Dom Sibley. Flicks the flighted delivery from Ashwin and drives it towards right of mid-on.
- FEB 05, 2021 01:00 PM IST
Consecutive maidens
Ishant backs Ashwin's second maiden over. However, they are yet to dent the brewing partnership between Root and Sibley. ENG: 81/2
- FEB 05, 2021 12:44 PM IST
Good over from Ishant
Ishant Sharma bowls a pretty good over as he conceded 5 dots and a single. yet no wickets in India's account post lunch. ENG: 78/2 after 34 overs
- FEB 05, 2021 12:40 PM IST
Ishant Sharma replaces Bumrah
India opt for a bowling change as they bring Ishant Sharma into the attack in place of Jasprit Bumrah. The hosts are looking for some quick wickets as the duo of Joe Root and Dom Sibley are rebuilding the innings after some quick jolts before lunch.
- FEB 05, 2021 12:33 PM IST
Joe Root vs Jasprit Bumrah
Innings: 6
Runs scored: 44
Ball faced: 127
Average: 22
Dismissals: 3
- FEB 05, 2021 12:29 PM IST
No-ball ruins a maiden
Bumrah had bowled a good over but he overstepped on the last delivery of the 30th over that ruined the maiden. England 70/2 after 30 overs.
- FEB 05, 2021 12:26 PM IST
Bumrah, Ashwin keeping things tight
Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah shook England's confidence with a couple of quick wickets before lunch and continue to keep Root and Sibley under control.
- FEB 05, 2021 12:15 PM IST
Second session begins
England captain Joe Root (4*) and Dom Sibley (26) are out to resume the innings on 67/2. Jasprit Bumrah comes into the attack.
- FEB 05, 2021 12:04 PM IST
Daniel Lawrence dismissed LBW for duck by Jasprit Bumrah
· 1st duck for Lawrence in Tests.
· 4th consecutive innings without fifty since his debut Test fifty.
· 1st dismissal at the hands of a pacer out of 4 for him.
· 15th time Bumrah has dismissed a batsman for duck in Tests
- FEB 05, 2021 11:59 AM IST
Ashwin in 1st 10 overs of Tests
Innings: 78
Overs: 248
Runs: 661
Wickets: 35
Economy Rate: 2.67
Average: 18.89
Strike Rate: 42.51
- FEB 05, 2021 11:54 AM IST
Stats Alert!
Rory Burns dismissed for 33 by Ashwin
- 5th consecutive innings without fifty for Burns
- 3rd consecutive innings Burns is dismissed by a right-arm finger spinner in Asia
- 5th consecutive time Burns has been dismissed by a spinner in Asia out of his 6 dismissals
- FEB 05, 2021 11:45 AM IST
India vs England 1st Test, Day 1
Brief Scores:
England: 67 for 2 in 27 overs (Rory Burns 33, Dominic Sibley 26*)
Ravichandran Ashwin 1/31, Jasprit Bumrah 1/17
- FEB 05, 2021 11:38 AM IST
End of first session
After losing a couple of wickets in quick successions, England were 67/2 at lunch. Skipper Joe Root was batting on 4* alongside opener Dominic Sibley (26*).
- FEB 05, 2021 11:34 AM IST
Root survives a run out
India had a fair chance to get rid of English captain Joe Root early on his 100th Test but the English captain was quick enough to make it through. ENG: 67/2
- FEB 05, 2021 11:27 AM IST
Bumrah to Lawrence: OUT
WICKET! Dan Lawrence departs early on, Jasprit Bumrah traps him on the pads. Umpire gives it out. Fuller one from Bumrah and Lawrence is struck plumb in front of the stumps. No reviews taken. ENG 63/2.
- FEB 05, 2021 11:25 AM IST
Ashiwn to Burns: OUT
WICKET! Ashwin draws the first blood and breaks the fifty-plus stand between the English openers. Flighted delivery from Ashwin and Burns goes for the reverse sweep. The ball hits his gloves and lobs up and Pant takes a dolly. ENG: 63/1
- FEB 05, 2021 11:19 AM IST
Ashwin to Burns: FOUR
That's an amazing shot from Rory Burns. Moves out of his crease, gets close to the pitch of the ball and drives through wide of mid-on for a boundary.
- FEB 05, 2021 11:14 AM IST
No ball ruins a maiden
Shahbaz Nadeem had bowled the perfect over but he overstepped on the last delivery which ruined the maiden. England 58/0 after 23 overs.
- FEB 05, 2021 11:10 AM IST
First boundary for Burns
Ashwin won't be too unhappy with that. Burns got his front foot far across the stumps to sweep that one from the middle and leg. He got enough bat on it for the ball to reach the fine-leg boundary. But that is like playing with fire.
- FEB 05, 2021 11:03 AM IST
Fifty up for England
Ashwin strays down the leg side and Burns clips it towards backward of square leg and scampers back for the second. That brings up England's fifty, it has been a solid start for the visitors after Root opted to bat first.
- FEB 05, 2021 10:59 AM IST
Worrying signs for India
This Test match is only 18 overs old and there has been no sign of seam or spin so far. Sibley and Burns have largely been untroubled so far. What would worry Kohli is the fact that Ashwin has been pretty flat so far. To be fair to him, there is not much turn or bounce on offer.
- FEB 05, 2021 10:53 AM IST
Nadeem into attack
Right then, spin from both ends now. Shahbaz Nadeem, who is playing his second Test match, has been introduced into the attack.
- FEB 05, 2021 10:49 AM IST
Good from Bumrah
Almost... Almost there from Bumrah. He bowled a near-perfect yorker, which Burns just managed to get a bat on it. Not that it would have mattered much as the third umpire confirmed that Bumrah had overstepped. The ace seamer bowled even better follow-up delivery that just beat the outside edge of Sibley's bat.
- FEB 05, 2021 10:41 AM IST
Ashwin to Sibley: Four
Superb, simply superb from Sibley. What makes this shot special is the placement. There were two fielders there but he managed to beat them both and had enough bat on it to carry it to the boundary. England 33/0
- FEB 05, 2021 10:39 AM IST
Bumrah starts after drinks break
Three runs off the over from Jasprit Bumrah as play resumes after drinks break. Won't be surprised if India decide to go with spin from both ends soon.
- FEB 05, 2021 10:30 AM IST
Drinks break
1 run off Ashwin's over and umpire's have called for drinks. England openers Burns and Sibley have done a good job after England captain Joe Root won the toss and opted to bat first. There was only one half chance that Burns gave but apart from that they have been solid.
- FEB 05, 2021 10:29 AM IST
Sibley flicks
Oh that could have dangerous! Shahbaz Nadeem brought out the big boot at the fine-leg boundary to stop the ball from rolling over the ropes. He was successfull but could have injured his ankle. Nevertheless a top class flick shot from Sibley.
- FEB 05, 2021 10:24 AM IST
Change of ends for Bumrah
Bumrah has been given another go and this time from Ishant Sharma's end. There is nothing on offer in the pitch but Kohli trying his best to shuffle his bowlers. He has three spinners at his disposal remember.
- FEB 05, 2021 10:11 AM IST
Sibley hits a four
Short and wide from Ashwin, Sibley quickly jumps to the backfoot and punches it behind point to get his first boundary.
- FEB 05, 2021 10:10 AM IST
Ashwin into the attack
Virat Kohli doesn't take too long to bring his premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin into the attack. We are only 7 overs into the Test, but hardly anyone would be surprise with this move.
- FEB 05, 2021 10:08 AM IST
Back-to-back maidens
Ishant Sharma backs up Bumrah's good over with his first maiden of the Test. No real movement off the track but the Indian seamers have done well to keep the England openers from getting off to a flier. They are 10/0 after 7 overs.
- FEB 05, 2021 10:04 AM IST
Maiden from Bumrah
First maiden of this Test and no surprise that it has been bowled by Jasprit Bumrah. Good thing for England is, neither Burns and Sibley seem to be having any real troubles against both Bumrah and Ishant.
- FEB 05, 2021 09:58 AM IST
Ishant bowls a good over
A beauty to end of the over from Ishant Sharma. Slowly but surely, the Indian seamers settling into a nice rhythm. England 10/0 after 5 overs.
- FEB 05, 2021 09:52 AM IST
Four runs off Bumrah's 2nd over
England openers Burns and Sibley have been busy against the new ball. What would please their think tank is the fact that they are dealing in ones and twos and rotating the strike, not allowing Ishant and Bumrah to bowl at one line.
- FEB 05, 2021 09:49 AM IST
Burns looks good off his pads
Early signs that India can't bowl on the pads of Rory Burns. He is very very strong off his legs and can take runs day in an day out.
- FEB 05, 2021 09:42 AM IST
Bumrah starts well
A very good start by Jasprit Bumrah. He almost had a wicket on the first ball of his spell but it was a difficult chance that was put down by Rishabh Pant. Rory Burns rides his luck. England 2/0 after 2 overs
- FEB 05, 2021 09:36 AM IST
Burns off the mark
First runs for England and Rory Burns. A gentle delivery on the pads from Ishant and Burns clips it for a single.
- FEB 05, 2021 09:31 AM IST
Rory Burns and Dom Sibley it is for England
Rory Burns and Dom Sibley have walked out to open the batting for England. Virat Kohli has thrown the ball to his most experienced seamer Ishant Sharma. Here we go.
- FEB 05, 2021 09:27 AM IST
Players out in the middle
The India and England players have made their way into centre. It's time for the respective national anthems, England's to start with followed by hosts India.
- FEB 05, 2021 09:23 AM IST
Here's what Joe Root had to say at the toss
"We are going to try and get the best of this wicket, think it will deteriorate as the game moves forward and maybe go up down for the seamers and take spin for the spinners. I do enjoy playing cricket in India. Looking forward to a great series," said England captain Joe Root.
- FEB 05, 2021 09:23 AM IST
Virat Kohli speaks
"We are not thinking about the Test championship at the moment, just take one game at a time," said India captain Virat Kohli at the toss.
- FEB 05, 2021 09:12 AM IST
England Playing XI
Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Joe Root(c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Dominic Bess, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, James Anderson
- FEB 05, 2021 09:11 AM IST
India Playing XI
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(w), Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Shahbaz Nadeem.
- FEB 05, 2021 09:09 AM IST
India playing three spinners
Okay, Here's a surprise! India have decided to play Shahbaz Nadeem and not Kuldeep Yadav. Once Axar Patel was injured, it was always going to be Washington Sundar at No.7 but the decision to pick Nadeem ahead of Kuldeep is a bit surprising to say the least.
- FEB 05, 2021 09:03 AM IST
England win toss
England win toss and opt to bat first against India in Chennai.
- FEB 05, 2021 09:00 AM IST
India vs England first Test - Pitch report
It looks very fresh. There is grassy but a little patchy, there are also patches of bald areas. This could be a little two-paced, it sounds really hard and firm too: Nick Knight and Deep Dasgupta with the pitch report.
- FEB 05, 2021 08:58 AM IST
Ajinkya Rahane, the deputy
Ajinkya Rahane has captained India in five Tests and India have won four of those with one being a draw. Three of those wins came against Australia and two in their own backyard that resulted in a historic series win. That's a great record as captain but as things stand, he has to hand over the captaincy to Virat Kohli.
- FEB 05, 2021 08:51 AM IST
Joe Root playing his 100th Test
A big moment for England captain Joe Root. He is playing his 100th Test match today. Jos Buttler, on the other hand, is playing in his 50th Test match.
- FEB 05, 2021 08:46 AM IST
All hail Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara is one of those cricketers who would perhaps attract more bidders on the number of balls he would face in a Test than the amount of runs he would score. He played over 900 balls in Australia without scoring a hundred and yet played a significant role in India's victory. Pujara would be hoping continue with the good work against England.
- FEB 05, 2021 08:41 AM IST
A lot riding on Dom Bess and Jack Leach
The last time England won a Test series in India - in 2011-12 - spinners Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar played a huge role. Dom Bess and Jack Leach sure don't have the same amount of experience behind them and perhaps are a little short on guile too but they have shown in Sri Lanka that they can do the job. It will be however, a different challenge in front of the Indian batsmen.
- FEB 05, 2021 08:36 AM IST
Ishant Sharma or Mohammed Siraj?
By cricketing logic, it should always be Ishant Sharma, he is incumbent and India's most experienced seamer but you can't help vouch for Mohammed Siraj. The man, only with a two Tests behind him, led India's bowling attack in Brisbane and came out in flying colours.
- FEB 05, 2021 08:30 AM IST
Jofra Archer a big threat for India
It takes a lot to be the first pick in the side when your side has options like James Anderson and Stuart Broad but Archer in his short career has somehow managed to rise as England's preferred seamer in all conditions. Even in the first Test against India in Chennai, he is the one who is more or less certain to start. England will have to choose between James Anderson and Stuart Broad as Ben Stokes will do the job of the third seamer.
- FEB 05, 2021 08:25 AM IST
Zak Crawley ruled out
England too have their problems as top-order batsman Zak Crawley has been ruled out of the first two Tests against India, which effectively means it will be Rory Burns and Dom Sibley at the top of the order for England.
- FEB 05, 2021 08:21 AM IST
Axar Patel ruled out
India all-rounder Axar Patel has been ruled out of the first Test against England. "He is being monitored by the BCCI medical team and while his detailed reports are awaited, he will not be available for selection for the opening match," the board said in a statement.
Spinners Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar have been added to the squad ahead of the opening test, which begins later on Friday in Chennai.
- FEB 05, 2021 08:10 AM IST
Kuldeep, Axar or Washington?
India are likely to field five bowling options. Ideally, they would want to go with a balanced attack on a Chennai track that is known to favour spinners. Ravichandran Ashwin is set to be the premier spinner but the question is who will India pick as the second spinner? In fact reports suggest they might even go with three spinners by handing debut to Axar Patel, who can also bat at No.7 and is a like-for-like replacement for Ravindra Jadeja.
- FEB 05, 2021 07:59 AM IST
Rishabh Pant the preferred keeper
There really should not have been any doubt over Rishabh Pant's place after the performance he put in Australia. But so good is Wriddhiman Saha with the gloves that there always remains a valid case for him in India's Test XI. However, India captain Virat Kohli, on the eve of the first Test against England, confirmed that it will be Rishabh Pant who will take the gloves for India, which also means India are certain to field five bowling options.
- FEB 05, 2021 07:49 AM IST
World Test Championship final at stake
With New Zealand already confirmed, there is only one spot up for grabs in World Test Championship final slated to take place in June this year. And India and England are the only ones who have matters in their own hands to stake a claim. If India win the series against England 2-1 or with any better margin then they qualify for the final but a lesser margin or a drawn series would see Australia go through. England, on the other hand, need to beat India 3-1 or 4-0.
- FEB 05, 2021 07:44 AM IST
IND vs ENG live score: All eyes on Ben Stokes
If Virat Kohli is Indian cricket's protagonist then Ben Stokes takes that tag for England, of course Joe Root gives him tough competition but the all-round force of Stokes perhaps gives him the edge. Stokes was not a part of the Sri Lanka series as he was given a breather. He returns fresh and will be hoping to make a difference in the four-match India vs England Test series starting today in Chennai.
- FEB 05, 2021 07:38 AM IST
Virat Kohli returns to action
Not many gave India a chance in Australia when Virat Kohli returned home for the birth of his first child with India 0-1 down. But Ajinkya Rahane led the team from the front with support of Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant and a battery of young talents to achieve what many thought was impossible. Now Kohli returns to take his spot back as the No.1 batsman and leader. He has a unique challenge in front of himself, that is to 'prove a point' (or two) both as a batsman and as captain. Will he end his year-long run without a Test hundred in Chennai? Only time will tell.
- FEB 05, 2021 07:33 AM IST
Both India and England are on a high
India are coming on the back of a historic 2-1 in Australia while England started their sub-continent tour with a comprehensive 2-0 sweep against Sri Lanka.
- FEB 05, 2021 07:27 AM IST
India vs England live score first Test Day 1
If you're an Indian cricket fan, You would perhaps be lying to yourself if you state that you have already gotten over the historic win over Australia barely a few weeks ago. But then again, if you are an Indian cricket fan then you must be habituated to high-octane action without much breathing space. This time it's perhaps more special. This time they have England in front of them. Hello and Welcome to the live coverage of the IND vs ENG first Test in Chennai.
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