ENG vs IND 2018, First Test: Being 1-0 Up, We Are In The Box Seat At The Moment: Ben Stokes
The equation was crystal clear for England. Get Virat Kohli, win the Test. However, it looked like the India skipper would win the battle. The 29-year old was batting solidly before Joe Root introduced Ben Stokes in the attack and the game turned on its head.
India had begun their chase on day four on a disastrous note. Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik could add only two runs to the overnight score before James Anderson sent back the latter.
Kohli was then joined in the middle by Hardik Pandya. The two took some time to settle down. However, once they had their eyes set, they hit a flurry of boundaries to ease the pressure. Pandya was particularly impressive as he targeted Stuart Broad, hitting the pacer for three boundaries in two overs.
In the meanwhile, Kohli hit a four off Anderson to score his fifty. But just when it looked the duo would take India over the line with ease, Ben Stokes dealt a body blow to the visitors. The allrounder dismissed Kohli to leave India reeling at 141 for 7. Two balls later, Stokes accounted for Mohammed Shami too to put the hosts firmly on top.
Ishant hit a couple of boundaries but soon fell to Adil Rashid. England were all on top but the presence of Hardik Pandya was still a worrying sign for them. The allrounder hit a couple of boundaries to put pressure on England. But before he could inflict more damage, Stokes struck again to remove him and fire England to a thrilling 31-run win.
Kohli is OUT – England need three!
Clips and scorecard here:
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Speaking after the game, Stokes expressed his delight over winning the game. He also lavished praise on youngster Sam Curran whose 63-run knock made the difference in the game.
“It was great. Last night we were magnificent with the ball. I thought we were a bit behind after taking the lead, the way Sam Curran came out and played at such a young age, it was the turning point in this Test match. It was just great to be part of this game. He (Kohli) played a brilliant knock in the first innings, with the ball swinging he was moving across to play the outswinger, tried to swing it back into him. Moments like that change a game in these tight ones,” he said.
“Great start to this tough five match series. Being 1-0 up we are in the box seat at the moment. We weren’t quite sure what to expect when we got here (today). We needed five wickets and we had the confidence, but these games thought us how to stick together as a team. Gives us heaps of confidence. We have a five Test match series and we have to take as much confidence as we can,” he added.
