Team India lost a crucial wicket of skipper Virat Kohli at the stroke of stumps but despite that, they have taken complete control of the pink-ball Test against England as they finished the day at 3-99 after having bowled England out for 112.
After having been forced to bowl first, India got off to a brilliant start in the pink-ball Test as they claimed two quick wickets within the first 10 overs.
Playing in his 100th Test match, Ishant Sharma got into his act in just his 2nd over as he induced opener, Dom Sibley, to dangle his bat on a perfectly pitched delivery outside the off-stump to give a regulation catch to Rohit Sharma at 2nd slip.
Zak Crawley might have missed the first two Tests due to injury but the Kent batsman did not show any signs of rustiness whatsoever as he launched a counterattack against the Indian seamers, especially Ishant Sharma.
Whether it was on the off-side or at his legs, Crawley was imperious in his strokeplay as he smashed as many as eight boundaries in his first 54 deliveries to race to 40.
Jonny Bairstow, however, did not enjoy the same return to Test cricket, as he was trapped LBW for a nine-ball duck by Axar Patel, who claimed a wicket on the very first delivery that he bowled.
Crawley soon completed a well-deserved half-century but just as it looked like his partnership with skipper Joe Root was taking dangerous proportions, Ravichandran Ashwin removed the latter as Root misjudged the length of the ball and ended up playing on the backfoot when he should have been forward. England 3-74.
Crawley eventually succumbed to Axar’s relentless ploy. It all happened on the fourth ball of the 25th over when Patel dished out a slider that went with the angle.
Crawley expected it to turn and played the forward defense, only to see the ball sneek past the inside edge. The Indians went up straightaway and Umpire Nitin Menon had no hesitation in raising his finger.
The opener hung around for a bit before taking a long walk back to the pavilion after Ben Stokes advised him to not burn the review, given the fact that it was absolutely plumb. Crawley’s wicket rounded off a brilliant session for Team India as they went into the Tea Break with England reeling at 4/81.
The wickets of Joe Root and Zak Crawley proved to be the death knell for England as Ashwin and Crawley ran through their middle and lower order.
Ashwin claimed his 396th and 397th scalp by dismissing Ollie Pope and Jack Leach while Axar Patel knocked over Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer and all those wickets came off a straighter one.
Axar Patel continued to weave his magic as he claimed his second successive five-wicket haul, helping India knock over England for a mere 112 runs.
With the match entering the twilight phase, the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad were always going to pose tough questions at the Indian openers, which they did with absolute precision on either side of the second session.
James Anderson kept probing outside the off-stump while Stuart Broad challenged both the outside as well as inside edge off Shubman Gill’s bat.
Broad could have had Gill on a couple of occasions. In the first instance, Ben Stokes- who claimed a bump catch- shelled a low catch in the slip-cordon while in the second instance, the rub of the green went the young opener’s way as he was saved by ‘Umpire’s Call’.
Gill eventually got off the mark after having faced as many as 26 deliveries with a cracking square-cut off Broad and he followed that with a disdainful short-arm jab off James Anderson in the very next over.
England eventually claimed the wicket of Gill, who mistimed an attempted pull-stroke off Jofra Archer, giving Zak Crawley an easy catch.
One brought two for England as Jack Leach claimed Cheteshwar Pujara for the third time in the series, this time pinning the Indian No.3 plumb in front of wicket via an arm ball.
Rohit Sharma, however, continued to bat just like he had done in the first innings of the last Test. Whether it was his silken pulls or sumptuous square-cuts, and not to forget brilliant running between the wickets with Virat Kohli, the ‘Hitman’ looked imperious as he completed yet another high-quality fifty.
Virat Kohli, on the other hand, meant business as usual. The Indian skipper looked in complete control during his stay at the crease and the most pleasing aspect of his innings was the manner in which he ran between the wickets.
Kohli survived against James Anderson after Ollie Pope dropped a regulation catch in the slip cordon but it did not cost England much as Jack Leach induced a false stroke off the Indian captain’s bat in what turned out to be the last over of the day.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
In spite of the Kohli dismissal, India still significantly ahead in the game. A lead of a hundred will be pretty large. Should get that.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 24, 2021
Anyway, India's day comfortably – even with the late wicket of Kohli. Two early wickets tomorrow might make things interesting, but suspect a lead of 100 will be plenty for India.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) February 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1364608043862925318?s=19
Rohit Sharma is playing assertively, but with control. His attacking shot percentage (26%) is above the average for the match, but his false shot percentage (14%) is lower than average for the match. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 24, 2021
Leach v Pujara update: 46 runs, 3 wickets, from 10.4 overs.
Previously, Pujara had only been out 6 times to left-arm spin in his career, for 808 runs, in 312 overs. #INDvENG— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) February 24, 2021
Ben Stokes claiming a dropped catch and then smiling, clapping after it is evident on big screen in replays. Ethical cricket, huh?#INDvENG
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) February 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/SpiderPant/status/1364540879873208323?s=19
14-0 is India's lowest score after 10 overs of a Test innings since January 2018. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 24, 2021
‘You cannot do that, Ben Stokes!’
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 24, 2021
Axar Patel with 6/38 and Ravichandran Ashwin 3/26 as England are bowled out for 112 inside 49 overs #IndvEng pic.twitter.com/PN0QnDJd8k
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) February 24, 2021
Great beginning to a historic day, brilliant bowling performance by the boys, special mention for the local boy @akshar2026 !for taking 6 wickets on his home turf. Lets keep the momentum going now. #INDvENG #PinkBallTest
— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) February 24, 2021
England this series
1st Test, 1st inngs: 578/10 (190.1 overs)
Four inngs since: 588/40 (209.2 overs)#INDvENG— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) February 24, 2021
@akshar2026 Take a bow. Consecutive fifer ??#INDvENG
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) February 24, 2021
England batsman as soon as they come on the wicket #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/vDpRgrsnP1
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 24, 2021
In the last 72 years, only twice have England been bowled out for a lower score in the 1st inns after winning the toss and batting https://t.co/9WLyFzKLW6 #INDvENG
— ESPNcricinfo stats (@ESPNcric_stats) February 24, 2021
नाच ना जाने आँगन टेड़ा। #IndvEng
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 24, 2021
I’m not going to lie – I totally love Kohli.
— Tom Holland (@holland_tom) February 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/cricketonwheels/status/1364542646543413250?s=19
Axar Patel on ?! Day 1 of the Test and the captain has been proactive in using his spinners and setting attacking field. And boy, the spinners have turned up and how! England looking clueless. #IndvEng
— Ajith Ramamurthy (@Ajith_tweets) February 24, 2021
Two extremes working together & completely bamboozling English batsmen. The fact that this is a turner, so some turning big, but the extra lacquer on this pink ball is also getting it to skid quickly off the pitch.#PinkballTest
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 24, 2021
In this series, Axar Patel has drawn an edge or a miss with 27% of his deliveries.
That's the 4th highest for a spinner (min 50 overs) in a series since records began in 2006.
Only Ajmal and Shillingford are ahead of him – Ajmal having done so twice.#INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 24, 2021
England have treated selection for this series like premier league teams treat the early stages of the FA Cup rounds … #INDvENG Against the best team in the world !!!!!!!
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 24, 2021
Ashwin switching to round-the-wicket to right-hand batsmen is the sign of a bowler whose mind is ticking constantly #INDvENG
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) February 24, 2021
Before the start of Border-Gavaskar Trophy:
Nathan Lyon – 390
R Ashwin 365NOW
Nathan Lyon 399
R Ashwin 395*Come on, Ash. #400
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 24, 2021
Beautiful bowling from Patel, challenging Crawley's outside and inside edge, and finally getting him lbw. A joy to watch.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) February 24, 2021
England doing a great job of making sure they bowl with the pink ball when the lights are on tonight … !!! #INDvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 24, 2021
What an over from @akshar2026. Best one of the match so far.#INDvENG
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 24, 2021
Just brilliant with accuracy, speed and his biggest weapon, that arm ball going straight on a turner.. Axar has been a real find for India in Tests. ???#PinkBallTest
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 24, 2021
Ball turning and going through the surface on day 1.
Vaughany as England are batting first this time: pic.twitter.com/ATuEajHw3G
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) February 24, 2021
https://twitter.com/Pranjal_one8/status/1364527940831174659?s=19
Puri crowd ki energy ek taraf aur Kohli ke celebration ki energy ek taraf.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 24, 2021
That lbw looked more out than it actually was. England can't afford to lose another before lunch: 74 for 3.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) February 24, 2021
That was a good shout, but this is becoming an interesting side show. Ashwin animatedly insisting something needs to be reviewed, Kohli being unconvinced and reluctant and taking the review at the last moment. #INDvENG
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) February 24, 2021
Mighty impressive innings from Zak Crawley. Driving has been top class.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 24, 2021
At this rate, Crawley will be felicitated by tea.#INDvENG
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 24, 2021
Pink ball, six overs old, and the slow left armer could have had three wickets in four balls. I love this game.
— daniel norcross (@norcrosscricket) February 24, 2021
Eight fours in the session already for Crawley – in the last decade, English openers have hit more fours than this in the first session of a Test on only three occasions: Cook (10 once, 9 once) and Crawley himself last year (10). #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 24, 2021
Crawley has more range to his game than either Burns or Sibley which allows him to put pressure on the bowlers. England have lost a couple of early ones but the scoreboard is still moving. He's the sort of player Trevor Bayliss wanted at the top of the order… #INDvENG
— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) February 24, 2021
Zak Crawley, step right into my "batting is easier for tall people" conspiracy theory #IndvEng
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) February 24, 2021
Crawley looks in a bit of nick here…#INDvENG
— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) February 24, 2021
Since January 2016, only James Anderson and Pat Cummins have taken more Test wickets at a better average than Ishant Sharma among quick bowlers.
Champion ?#INDvENG #PinkBallTest pic.twitter.com/DmBvxRP5UI
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) February 24, 2021
Oops india , asha karta hoon ki yeh, toss jeeto match jeeto wala wicket na ho ?
— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) February 24, 2021
Congratulations @ImIshant! Remarkable feat! Wishing you and #TeamIndia the best on what will be a special day for you ??
— Shreyas Iyer (@ShreyasIyer15) February 24, 2021
Playing 100 Tests is a great landmark for any cricketer, especially a fast bowler. Have seen you play from your U-19 days & played alongside you in your 1st Test. Proud of you & your service to #TeamIndia.
Continue to serve in the best possible manner. Congrats @ImIshant! pic.twitter.com/onBVpgoRLr
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 24, 2021
Journey to ?th Test ?
Off-field memories ?
Bonding with teammates ?As @ImIshant is set to play his 100th Test at Motera, #TeamIndia congratulate the pacer & reminisce memories shared with him ?? – by @RajalArora.@Paytm #INDvENG
Full feature ? ? https://t.co/bhvwfpUaUP pic.twitter.com/V0xKU6HkGM
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 23, 2021
A well deserved milestone @ImIshant. Congratulations & best wishes for your 100th test match brother. This will surely be a momentous #PinkBallTest at #GCA stadium. #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/7pqsyudT04
— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) February 24, 2021
Congratulations @ImIshant. Not a bad place to play your 100th. Only second Indian pacer to do so after great @therealkapildev. I had the best seat in the house at short leg when he announced himself to the cricket world with that spell to @RickyPonting. #PinkBallTest #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/Y8ddOe8HSg
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 24, 2021
Congratulations @ImIshant for your 100th Test .. Very happy for you.. How bout a 5fer or Man of the match on ur 100th test ? all the best @BCCI @StarSportsIndia
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 24, 2021
The incredible story of @ImIshant reaches a beautiful milestone – That too at a spectacular new venue. Best wishes for both – Should be a spectacular pink test. #INDvENG @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/sFxCuJw9b4
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 24, 2021
Congratulations @ImIshant on reaching 100 test matches. A fantastic achievement for any cricketer. Well done mate??#INDvENG
— Jason Gillespie ? (@dizzy259) February 24, 2021
Ishant Sharma is a bowler who has become better with experience. He is playing his 100th Test today. 25-match split of his career:
01-25: 70 wickets at 37.31
26-50: 71 wickets at 39.59
51-75: 74 wickets at 33.13
76-99: 87 wickets at 21.33— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 24, 2021
Ishant Sharma is going to become the only second seamer after the great Kapil Dev, to represent India in 100 tests. Congrats on this great feat @ImIshant. Battling with injuries, making comebacks, answering the critics with the ball. Your journey is an inspiration ?? #INDvENG
— ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ | Dodda Ganesh (@doddaganesha) February 23, 2021
100th Test for Ishant Sharma. Becomes 2nd Indian pacer to achieve this feat. Made his FC debut with Virat Kohli in 2006.
Last time England played with only one specialist spinner in India was 44 years back (1977 in Mumbai)— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) February 24, 2021
Kudos to a TON of effort! The speedster @ImIshant becomes the 2nd #Indian fast bowler after @therealkapildev to play his 100th test. #IndVsEng?? pic.twitter.com/Ratf9ZqW6X
— Chennai Super Kings – Mask P?du Whistle P?du! (@ChennaiIPL) February 24, 2021
If there is anything I would like to be in world today, it is this place. The biggest cricket stadium in the world. Can't wait to see our team in action today and congrats to Ishu Bhaiyya – @ImIshant for the landmark 100th test. ( 5 wicket pakka hai isme ) pic.twitter.com/CvOdGNdRbM
— RJ Raunac (@rjraunac) February 24, 2021
Ishant Sharma makes his 100th Test appearance today – his longevity is remarkable. Since he debuted, only two seamers have bowled more in Test cricket: Stuart Broad and James Anderson. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 24, 2021