ENG vs IND 2018, 1st Test: It Feels Unreal - Sam Curran

Sam Curran’s all-round show and Ben Stokes’ exploits helped England registered a 31-run win against India at Edgbaston. Following this victory, England has taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series.

It was a thrilling Test match without a doubt. However, on day four, it was a special piece of bowling by Ben Stokes which eventually won England the game.

However, the star of the match was Sam Curran hands down. His match-winning performance set up the victory for England quite perfectly. It was a great knock of 63 in the 2^nd innings which turned the match again. Though the target of 193 was always manageable at least, it gave England the chance to bowl at the Indians with some runs behind their back.

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On day four, India needed 84 to win with five wickets in hand. Dinesh Karthik was at the crease with Virat Kohli, and they would have backed themselves to chase the target down. However, James Anderson had other ideas, as he removed Dinesh Karthik in the very first over of the day. From there on, it was always going to be difficult for the away team.

Ben Stokes does it for England

However, it was a resilient effort by Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli which got the required runs down to 53. Later, it was a Ben Stokes special which put India off the paddle.

He first trapped Virat Kohli right in front, and the umpire Aleem Dar had no hesitation in his mind and ruled it in favour of the home team.

It was a match changing spell from Stokes who bowled in the perfect areas and let the pitch do the rest of the talking.

Meanwhile coming back to the match, it was a special effort from youngster Sam Curran as well. Apart from the runs in the second innings, the 20-year old picked up five wickets in only his second Test which includes a four-for in the first innings.

Here is what Sam Curran said at the post-match-presentation,

“I can’t take it all at the moment. Obviously, when Jimmy took Karthik out first up, it gave us a lot of confidence. I just try to take it like another game, but it is quite hard with the Barmy Army chanting out there, but I look to take it all in. I looked to learn from how Virat batted with the tail in the first innings. This is what I always wanted – playing Test cricket with these guys I have grown up watching and I am looking to learn the most I can from them.”