ENG vs IND 2018, 1st Test - Sam Curran Creates a Unique Record bagging the Man of the Match Award

Young England all-rounder Sam Curran created a unique record after bagging the player of the match award for his all-round show in the first Test against India at Edgbaston.

Meanwhile, England turned the table in the morning session of Day four to shift the momentum in their favour. Needing 84 runs to win, India lost Dinesh Karthik early in the day. James Anderson brought the ball in from good length spot taking Karthik’s edge into the hands of Dawid Malan.

Since then, overnight batsman Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya looked confident to take India home. Pandya played some gorgeous looking shots to close in on the target. However, against the run of play, Ben Stokes trapped Kohli (51) in front of the timber.

Although Kohli went for the review, it also showed three red-light to endorse the umpire’s decision. Mohammed Shami was soon to follow his skipper in the same over. The fast bowler edged into the safe hands of Jonny Bairstow, and the whole of England went mad in celebration.

Since then, Hardik slowed down a bit while the incomer Ishant Sharma was taking the attack to the opposition. He struck two boundaries in his 11-run knock before getting out LBW to Adil Rashid.

Things become tight for Hardik Pandya, who struggled to score runs, as England bowlers kept things close and tight. Ben Stokes produced yet another magical delivery to find the edge of Pandya to finish off the proceedings.

As a result, he returned with four wickets to single-handedly take England 1-0 up in the five-match Test series beating India by 31 runs.

Sam Curran creates a record

The young all-rounder stunned everybody with his show with both and ball. First up, he struck thrice in the first innings after Indian openers added 50 runs for the first wicket.

Curran was spectacular with the ball hitting the right areas. While the Indian batters were concerned about Stuart Broad and James Anderson, Sam Curran stole the show. Later, the left-arm pacer added one more to return with four wickets.

However, the most crucial contribution came when he played a little cameo to take England out of trouble. The hosts were reeling at 87 for seven when Sam Curran took the onus on himself. He played a 61-run knock off 65 balls including nine boundaries and two sixes to help England post a challenging total.

He strengthened his show with another wicket in the second innings when he removed Ajinkya Rahane. As a result, he was adjudged the man of the match for contributing with 87 runs and five wickets.

Meanwhile, this took him to a unique feat along with his father, Kevin Curran. Kevin Curran, who represented Zimbabwe. In the historic 1983 World Cup, Kevin won a man of the match award for his all-round show despite Team India skipper Kapil Dev scoring a brilliant hundred. Zimbabwe eventually won the match with the help of senior Curran’s contribution.

In an utter coincidence, Sam Curran also won the award today when Virat Kohli’s hundred went in vain. Curran is an amazing talent and has a huge prospect ahead of him.