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Kuldeep’s Brilliance and India’s Dominance on Day One of the Fifth Test against England
In a display of dominance, India took control of the fifth and final Test against England on the opening day. After bowling out England for a modest 218 runs, India confidently reached 135-1 in their reply, firmly establishing their position in the match.
The hero of the day for India was Kuldeep Yadav, whose stellar performance wreaked havoc on England’s batting lineup. Supported by fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep dismantled England’s top order and polished off the tail to restrict them to a below-par total.
India’s skipper Rohit Sharma led the charge in India’s reply, forming a formidable opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who contributed a solid 57 runs. The duo put on a commanding stand of 104 runs, guiding India to a strong position at stumps.
England’s decision to bat first seemed reasonable, but they encountered early trouble as Kuldeep Yadav made quick inroads into their batting lineup. Despite a promising start from openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, England struggled to maintain momentum as India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah kept them under pressure.
However, it was Kuldeep Yadav who turned the tide in India’s favor with his exceptional spin bowling. He claimed crucial wickets, including that of the well-set Zak Crawley, with a beautifully flighted delivery that deceived the batsman and shattered his stumps.
England’s middle order faltered against India’s spin trio, with Kuldeep Yadav leading the charge with a five-wicket haul. Even Jonny Bairstow’s aggressive batting could not rescue England, as he too fell victim to Kuldeep’s guile.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin provided valuable support to Kuldeep, as they chipped in with crucial wickets to further dent England’s innings. Ashwin, in his 100th Test appearance, showcased his class by picking up four wickets and effectively wrapping up England’s lower order.
In response, India’s opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal stamped their authority on the game with a commanding partnership. Jaiswal’s aggressive strokeplay, including three sixes in an over, put India in a commanding position before he was eventually dismissed.
With Rohit Sharma still at the crease, India looks poised to build a substantial first-innings lead when play resumes on the second day. Holding a 3-1 lead in the series, India will be eager to extend their dominance and secure a comprehensive victory in the final Test against England.
