Anderson’s reverse swing deflates India as England win by 227 runs in 1st Test
Warhorse Anderson hands a rare home defeat to king Kohli’s India
What started as an ambitious chase of 420 turned into mere survival in just about an hour. And the faintest of hopes to save the Test was dashed much before tea. The inevitable was delayed a little by a near-flawless innings from skipper Virat Kohli (72).
A clinical bowling performance earned England a thumping 227run win over India for a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. While it dented India’s prolific home run — only their second defeat since 2012 — England continued their brilliant ‘away’ streak by making it six on the trot. Within a fortnight of the dizzying high of breaching the Gabbatoir, India slumped to their first defeat in the new millennium at fortress Chepauk.
Now, India need at least two wins and a draw in the remaining three matches to qualify for the World Test Championship final to be held at Lord’s in July.
Left-arm spinner Jack Leach, who had a forgettable outing in the first innings, broke open India’s fancied batting line-up by removing Cheteshwar Pujara.
On a deteriorating fifth day pitch, where spinners were expected to pose the bigger threat, James Anderson produced an outstanding spell of fast bowling in the morning. Old warhorse Anderson is one of the finest exponents of swing bowling. He dug deep into his repertoire and used the reverse swing to his advantage to strike twice in a span of four balls. India were left reeling at 92 for four.
The way Anderson breached the defence of both Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane seemed like an action replay. The cartwheeling off-stump, on both occasions, made for a spectacular sight. Before India could recover from the double blow, Anderson sent Rishabh Pant packing with a soft dismissal. Joe Root, at short cover, pouched a simple catch off a leading edge. Anderson’s astonishing spell read 53-6-3.
As Washington Sundar, caught behind off Dom Bess, followed suit for a five-ball duck, India were reduced to 117 for six inside the first session. Jofra Archer steamed in and unleashed a barrage of bouncers. R. Ashwin had to take blows on his head, fingers and body to see India through to lunch.
Kohli, who hasn’t scored a Test century since November 2019, looked set to end the drought. He smashed erring off-spinner Bess for three consecutive boundaries. Against Ben Stokes, Kohli punched through the covers elegantly and pulled with authority. However, a probing delivery from Stokes kept low and crashed into Kohli’s offstump.
England bowling coach Jon Lewis’ prediction came true when Leach roared back from his first-innings thrashing to end with figures of 4 for 76.