Cricket

Eng dominate tense draw

England captain Alastair Cook celebrates his 30th century and fifth in India on the fifth day of the first Test in Rajkot yesterday. Photo: AFP

Skipper Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 49 under pressure before India pulled off a tense draw on the final day of the first Test against England in Rajkot on Sunday.

The tourists had declared their second innings at 260-3 shortly after lunch, leaving the home side to chase 310 runs off a minimum 49 overs on the fifth and last day.

But the Indians were soon fighting for survival after losing wickets in a clutch on a wearing track at the Saurashtra Cricket Association ground, hosting its first Test ever.

The Indians finished on 172-6 with local hero Ravindra Jadeja also remaining not out on 32.

England had India in early trouble at 71-4 but Kohli steadied the ship with a 47-run partnership that he shared with Ravichandran Ashwin (32).

Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers with 3-64 while his spin partners Moeen Ali and Zafar Ansari took one wicket apiece.

India's second innings began on a shaky note, with opener Gautam Gambhir falling to paceman Chris Woakes for a duck.

Leg-spinner Rashid then got going, getting rid of Cheteshwar Pujara (18) who was trapped leg before wicket and Murali Vijay for 31.

Both Pujara and Vijay had hit centuries in India's first innings total of 488 in reply to England's 537.

Ali shattered the stumps of Ajinkya Rahane (one) and Ansari sent back Ashwin, who had proved to be a thorn in England's side the last time they toured India.

Kohli held his ground amid the mayhem, hitting six fours in his crucial 98-ball knock.

England were bolstered by a 180-run partnership between skipper Alastair Cook (130) and debutant Haseeb Hameed -- a record opening stand for England in India.

It was the 30th Test century for the left-handed Cook and record fifth in India, more than any overseas batsman.

Hameed, 19, belied his tender years in making 82 off 177 balls that contained one six and seven boundaries.

SCORES IN BRIEF

ENGLAND: First innings: 537

INDIA: First innings: 488

ENGLAND: Second innings 260 for 3 decl (Cook 130, Hameed 82, Stokes 29 not out; Mishra 2-60)

INDIA: Second innings 172 for 6 (Vijay 31, Pujara 18, Kohli 49 not out, Ashwin 32; Rashid 3-64)

Result: Match drawn.

Player-of-the-match: Moeen Ali.

Comments

Eng dominate tense draw

England captain Alastair Cook celebrates his 30th century and fifth in India on the fifth day of the first Test in Rajkot yesterday. Photo: AFP

Skipper Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 49 under pressure before India pulled off a tense draw on the final day of the first Test against England in Rajkot on Sunday.

The tourists had declared their second innings at 260-3 shortly after lunch, leaving the home side to chase 310 runs off a minimum 49 overs on the fifth and last day.

But the Indians were soon fighting for survival after losing wickets in a clutch on a wearing track at the Saurashtra Cricket Association ground, hosting its first Test ever.

The Indians finished on 172-6 with local hero Ravindra Jadeja also remaining not out on 32.

England had India in early trouble at 71-4 but Kohli steadied the ship with a 47-run partnership that he shared with Ravichandran Ashwin (32).

Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers with 3-64 while his spin partners Moeen Ali and Zafar Ansari took one wicket apiece.

India's second innings began on a shaky note, with opener Gautam Gambhir falling to paceman Chris Woakes for a duck.

Leg-spinner Rashid then got going, getting rid of Cheteshwar Pujara (18) who was trapped leg before wicket and Murali Vijay for 31.

Both Pujara and Vijay had hit centuries in India's first innings total of 488 in reply to England's 537.

Ali shattered the stumps of Ajinkya Rahane (one) and Ansari sent back Ashwin, who had proved to be a thorn in England's side the last time they toured India.

Kohli held his ground amid the mayhem, hitting six fours in his crucial 98-ball knock.

England were bolstered by a 180-run partnership between skipper Alastair Cook (130) and debutant Haseeb Hameed -- a record opening stand for England in India.

It was the 30th Test century for the left-handed Cook and record fifth in India, more than any overseas batsman.

Hameed, 19, belied his tender years in making 82 off 177 balls that contained one six and seven boundaries.

SCORES IN BRIEF

ENGLAND: First innings: 537

INDIA: First innings: 488

ENGLAND: Second innings 260 for 3 decl (Cook 130, Hameed 82, Stokes 29 not out; Mishra 2-60)

INDIA: Second innings 172 for 6 (Vijay 31, Pujara 18, Kohli 49 not out, Ashwin 32; Rashid 3-64)

Result: Match drawn.

Player-of-the-match: Moeen Ali.

Comments