India slumped from 141/6 to 162 all out as Ben Stokes ran through the lower order, returning with figures of 4-40 as England registered a win in the first Test at Edgbaston.
India skipper Virat Kohli’s batting heroics went in vain as England produced a sensational fightback to seal a 31-run victory in the first Test at Edgbaston on Saturday ( 4th day) with over five sessions to spare.
Kohli followed upon his first innings 149 with a solid 51 and had joined all-rounder Hardik Pandya to get India within 53 runs of the target of 194 when all-rounder Ben Stokes struck twice in one over to turn the rivetting Test on its head and pull it the home team’s way.
India slumped from 141/6 to 162 all out as Stokes ran through the late order, returning four for 40. England clinched victory when Hardik Pandya edged to Alastair Cook in the slip cordon, for a 61-ball 31.
Though Pandya had looked solid at the other end, Stokes got Mohammed Shami in the same over after removing Kohli, caught behind three balls later, reducing India to 141/8.
Leg spinner Adil Rashid then trapped Ishant Sharma leg before for 11, leaving India still needing 40 runs with only the final wicket in hand. He was given not out but a review ensured the spinner got the batsman for the second time in the game.
Indian supporters chanted ‘Kohli, Kohli’ as he reached his 16th Test fifty and India looked like they would pull off a famous victory.
However, they fell silent and the Barmy Army took over the singing as a large crowd turned up to watch the final act of the dramatic Test.
The Birmingham genie those went in favour of England, who registered their 28th victory at their most favourite venue, where they have not lost since 2008.
Heartbroken India were left to rue their sixth defeat in seven matches at Edgbaston, though this was the closest they had come to winning.
India would be left wondering what would have been as conditions and a ball growing older favoured the batting side, until Joe Root threw the ball to his all-rounder in the 11th over of the day.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s seven-wicket match haul and Ishant’s Sharma’s five-for in the England second innings had left India chasing 194, but England pacers tore through the shaky top-order to leave the match balanced evenly at the end of the third day.
India, aiming to win their first series in England for 11 years, move on to London with the Lord’s Test starting on August 9.
Score Card :
1st 5 day Test, India tour of Ireland and England at Birmingham, Aug 1-4 2018
England 287 & 180
India 274 & 162 (54.2 ov, target 194)
