It was another spin dominated day for India against the Englishmen. Kuldeep Yadav grabbed the headlines with another five wicket haul in a memorable Test series for the wrist spinner. Ravichandran Ashwin also made his hundredth Test match a memorable one with four wickets. England’s Bazzball approach has been fruitless so far with the batting lineup once again. In reply, the Indian top order gained control of the proceedings with some explosive shots in the afternoon session.
Team Lineups
India made two changes from the team that sealed the series in Ranchi. The Indian selectors have run out of patience already with Rajat Patidar. The 30 year old middle order batsman has failed to register a substantial score in the series despite being given chances in the absence of senior players. His exclusion from the team meant it was time for a debut for 23 year old batter Devdutt Paddikal.
The 23 year old batsman from Kerala has been in a rich vein of form in the Ranji Trophy and has earned a much deserved call-up in the team. Paddikal joined the new looking middle order with Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel also in the mix. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been shining brightly at the top of the order for the Indians with Rohit Sharma as his opening partner. Shubman Gill completed the top order with his touch of elegance.
The Indian selectors are looking to initiate Jasprit Bumrah slowly to the first team. The mercurial pacer was selected to play in this match as team India eyed their fourth straight match in the Test fornat. Bumrah reclaimed the vacant space left by Akash Deep. The pace bowler from Bihar produced a fine performance in his debut Test match. It was a historical occasion for Ravichandran Ashwin who was due to take part in his hundredth Test match. Ashwin became the fourteenth Indian player to reach this milestone. The veteran is the 2nd off-spinner to touch the three figures of Test matches after Harbhajan Singh. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja were the other spinners in the spin triad for India.
England made just one change from their team in Ranchi. Ollie Robinson’s return to the international arena was short lived as he made way for the fast bowler Mark Wood. There were centurions of Test matches in the England team also. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow became the 6th and 7th players for England to reach the milestone of hundred Test matches.
Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley retained their places in the team with both of them enjoying impressive debut series. James Anderson was just two wickets away from becoming the first ever pace bowler with 700 Test wickets. The serious concern for England was their batsmen’s constant failure to post big scores on spinning pitches.
England
1. Zak Crawley 2. Ben Duckett 3. Ollie Pope 4. Joe Root 5. Jonny Bairstow 6. Ben Stokes (Cap.) 7. Ben Foakes (WK) 8. Mark Wood 9. Tom Hartley 10. Shoaib Bashir 11. James Anderson
India
1. Rohit Sharma (Cap.) 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal 3. Shubman Gill 4. Devdutt Paddikal 5. Sarfaraz Khan 6. Ravindra Jadeja 7. Dhruv Jurel (WK) 8. Ravichandran Ashwin 9. Kuldeep Yadav 10. Jasprit Bumrah 11. Mohammed Siraj
English captain Ben Stokes won the toss and decided to bat first under chilly conditions at Dharamshala. The Englishmen are familiar with this type of weather back at home. The Dharamshala wicket is usually on the slower side because of its soil texture. The pitch may assist the pace bowlers on the first couple of days of the Test match due to overcast conditions. However, with the sun beating down on the ground, they pitch will eventually become easier to bat on. So, fielding first is never a ball call at Dharamshala. But if the sun shines, batting first should be a top priority. After the reconstruction in 2013, this stadium has hosted only one Test match. That game back in 2017 was won comprehensively by the hosts. The Australians were bowled out in the second innings for a score of just 137. So, India would go on to the fifth Test with a 100% record at this ground. England has previously played at this ground. In a high-scoring encounter in the 2023 World Cup, they demolished Bangladesh by 137 runs.
Fixture
India and England have met on 135 occasions prior to this Test match. The visitors have the upper hand with 51 wins. The other 50 Test matches ended in a draw. India has emerged victorious on 34 occasions. In Tests in India, the hosts have won 25 games. Two of England’s 15 Test wins came in 2012, the last time a visiting side had toppled the Indians in their own backyard in a series. The first Test match in India’s history was played against England at Lord’s in June. 1932.
| Venue | The first day of the fifth Test match between India and England was played at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. |
| Date | The game started on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. local time. |
Captaincy & Tactics
The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin stole the show on the opening day of the fifth and final Test between India and England in Dharamsala. Their combined efforts of nine wickets saw India seize control after England had opted to bat first.
Zak Crawley provided early hope for England, anchoring their innings with a well-compiled 79. He, along with opening partner Ben Duckett, made a solid start, putting on a 64-run stand to weather the initial storm of India’s bowling attack, which included the return of the fiery Jasprit Bumrah.
However, the introduction of Kuldeep in the 18th over proved to be a turning point. The left-arm spinner tempted Duckett into a big shot, which he skied up for a straightforward catch by Shubman Gill. Crawley remained resolute at the other end, reaching his fifty just before lunch. Partner Ollie Pope seemed content to play the supporting role, allowing Crawley to dominate the strike. Crawley even managed to clear Ashwin for a six, showcasing his attacking intent.
Just as England seemed to be building momentum, Pope became Kuldeep’s second victim on the stroke of lunch. He fell for 11 after misjudging a delivery from the wily spinner and getting stumped by Dhruv Jurel.
England’s fortunes took a further turn for the worse in the afternoon session. Crawley, who had already survived two DRS referrals for lbw in the morning, was given another life early on when India opted not to review a caught-behind appeal despite strong protests from the field. Replays later suggested this might have been a missed opportunity for India.
A dropped catch by Ravindra Jadeja offered Crawley another reprieve, but his luck eventually ran out as he was bowled by Kuldeep in the 38th over. This dismissal completed Kuldeep’s third wicket of the innings. England’s middle order, a recurring source of frustration throughout the series, once again crumbled. Jonny Bairstow, playing in his 100th Test match, provided a brief spark with a quickfire 18-run cameo that included two fours and two sixes. However, he fell victim to Kuldeep’s magic, edging a delivery to Jurel.
Joe Root followed soon after, trapped lbw by Jadeja for 26. Kuldeep then completed his well-deserved five-wicket haul by dismissing Ben Stokes for a duck. Stokes’ review proved to be in vain, leaving England in a precarious position.
Tom Hartley and Mark Wood fell cheaply to Ashwin before the tea break, leaving England teetering on 194-8. While Ben Foakes offered some resistance with a score of 24, he was eventually dismissed after the ball deflected onto his pads and dislodged the bails. James Anderson, dismissed for a duck, ended England’s innings on a disappointing note.
India’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma, batted with confidence in the final session. They compiled a 104-run opening stand before Jaiswal was dismissed by Shoaib Bashir for a breezy 57. Rohit Sharma remained unbeaten on 52 at the close, with India trailing by just 83 runs and nine wickets in hand.
The day belonged to India’s spin duo, who exposed the vulnerabilities in England’s batting line-up. With a significant lead already on the board and plenty of batting firepower remaining, India are in a strong position to win the series. England, on the other hand, will need a monumental effort to avoid a series defeat.
Batting Analysis
India’s meandering path towards a commanding position in the Dharamsala Test against England unfolded like a captivating tale of resilience and skill. Throughout the second day’s play, the Indian team meticulously constructed an imposing lead of 255 runs with just two wickets in hand, showcasing a masterclass in Test cricket prowess. Against the backdrop of the majestic Dhauladhars, the Indian batting lineup flourished, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill leading the charge with sublime centuries, while Sarfaraz Khan and the debutant Devdutt Padikkal added to the spectacle with impressive fifties, each player embracing the challenge of the day with determination and flair.
Even the return of the formidable Ben Stokes to the bowling crease failed to alter England’s fortunes significantly. Stokes made a grand entrance by dismissing Rohit Sharma with a sharply seaming delivery that sent the off stump cartwheeling, breaking a crucial partnership and leaving England grasping at straws for breakthroughs. Despite Stokes’s valiant efforts to turn the tide in England’s favor, the resilient Indian batsmen continued to dominate in the serene playing conditions, exposing England’s vulnerabilities.
Shoaib Bashir, battling through a stomach bug, emerged as a stalwart in the Indian bowling attack, showcasing unwavering resolve and skill despite physical limitations. His marathon 44-over spell mirrored his earlier heroics in Ranchi, underscoring his importance in the Indian bowling lineup. However, England’s fielding lapses, including Stokes dropping a chance off a no-ball, only added to their frustration as India piled on the runs with ease, consolidating their stronghold on the match.
India’s ascendancy was punctuated by a serene morning session characterized by poised batting displays, as Rohit and Gill laid the foundation for a monumental total. The partnership between the two prolific batsmen blossomed, with Rohit’s audacious strokeplay and Gill’s elegant shot-making mesmerizing the spectators. The roaring echoes of bat meeting ball reverberated across the stadium, adding to the drama unfolding on the field.
As the day unfolded, the narrative of India’s dominance became increasingly apparent, with Rohit and Gill’s centuries serving as a testament to their sublime form and unwavering focus. Each run scored felt like a brushstroke on an artist’s canvas, painting a vivid picture of India’s supremacy in the match. Despite England’s sporadic bursts of success, the mountain of runs amassed by India seemed insurmountable, casting a shadow of doubt over England’s prospects in the Test match.
Bowling Analysis
In the much-anticipated fifth and final Test between India and England, the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Ashwin emerged as the architects of India’s dominance on day one.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, England found early stability through opener Zak Crawley, who showcased his mettle with his fourth half-century of the tour before the lunch break in Dharamsala. However, England’s progress was momentarily halted with the dismissals of Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, though Crawley received a fortunate reprieve when India chose not to review an appeal for a caught behind.
Crawley’s departure for a well-crafted 79 triggered a collapse in England’s batting lineup, as they lost eight wickets for a mere 81 runs. The formidable duo of Kuldeep Yadav (5-72) and Ravi Ashwin (4-51), in his 100th Test appearance, wreaked havoc, dismantling England’s middle order with guile and precision. England’s innings culminated at 218 all out, leaving them in a precarious position.
Crawley’s solid start set the tone for England’s innings, with openers Crawley and Duckett weathering the storm posed by India’s bowlers, notably Jasprit Bumrah. However, it was Kuldeep Yadav who provided the breakthrough, inducing Duckett into an ill-judged shot that resulted in his dismissal.
Despite the setbacks, Crawley persevered and reached the milestone of 50 runs, displaying resilience and determination. However, England’s middle order faltered against the spin prowess of Kuldeep and Ashwin. Jonny Bairstow, in his 100th Test match, showed promise but fell victim to Kuldeep’s spin after a brief yet entertaining cameo.
England’s hopes were further dashed as Joe Root and Ben Stokes succumbed to the spin web spun by Kuldeep and Ashwin. The lower order failed to provide the necessary resistance, with Tom Hartley and Mark Wood falling prey to Ashwin’s artistry.
In response, India’s opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma laid a solid foundation, compiling a century partnership. Jaiswal’s aggressive innings, featuring five fours and three sixes, was instrumental in India’s assertive start. Despite losing Jaiswal late in the day, India ended on a high note with Rohit Sharma unbeaten on 52, steering his team to a position of strength with nine wickets still intact.
Day one of the final Test underscored the dominance of spin in the challenging conditions of Dharamsala, with India firmly in control and England facing an uphill battle to salvage their position in the match.
Fielding Analysis
On a day like this. You need the proper backup of your fielders to shine. The Indian bowlers got the assistance of fielders in their innings. The Indian fielding performance was at its optimum level. The catches were taken cleanly, there were dives to save runs for the fielding team. The English batsmen stifled for runs against an aggressive field setting.
England’s chances of triumphing over India hinged on posting substantial scores, recognizing that the Indian spinners lacked the prowess to contain them without a formidable total on the board. While Root, Stokes, and Bairstow brought a wealth of familiarity with Indian conditions due to their exposure in Test and IPL cricket, their underwhelming contributions in this series underscored a pressing need for the younger talents to step up and shoulder the responsibility. Unfortunately, the failure of the emerging players to consistently make an impact deepened England’s woes and widened the gap between the two sides.
The struggle against the relentless Indian bowling attack highlighted a perennial issue faced by visiting teams in Test series in India – once a bowler gets the better of a batsman, finding an escape route becomes increasingly arduous. The overwhelming pressure exerted by the Indian bowlers wore down the English lineup, culminating in a disappointing collapse that saw them being bundled out for a below-par total of 218.
Amidst England’s woes, India’s dominant display, marked by their first century opening stand of the series and the commanding batting performances of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, further underscored the uphill battle facing England. With the ominously poised Rohit Sharma leading the charge, England found themselves on a challenging trajectory towards a potential 4-1 series loss, as the beauty and diversity of Indian cricket shone through on the field.
The emergence of Kuldeep Yadav as a potent force in the Indian bowling lineup added another layer of complexity for England, with his deceptive spin and astute variations proving to be a formidable challenge for the visitors. Yadav’s impressive five-wicket haul on the first day hinted at the looming threat of spin as the match progressed, posing a significant obstacle for England’s batsmen to overcome.
Despite Stokes’ assertions of progress in India and India’s acknowledgment of England’s challenging stance, the harsh reality of another potential series defeat loomed large over the visitors. The uncertainties surrounding England’s batting lineup, epitomized by Ollie Pope’s struggles against quality spin bowling, encapsulated the overarching theme of the tour – a lack of consistency and resilience when facing formidable opposition.
Key Performances
The opening day of the fifth and final Test between India and England in Dharamsala unfolded in a way that epitomized England’s struggles throughout the series. A day blessed with pleasant weather and a scenic backdrop ultimately turned sour for the visitors, mirroring their tour experience.
England started brightly, winning the toss and putting on a solid opening stand. Zak Crawley, in particular, impressed with a well-compiled 79 runs. Partnerships between Crawley and Joe Root, and later Crawley and Ollie Pope, provided hope for a strong batting performance. However, these promising beginnings were all too quickly forgotten.
The turning point arrived with the introduction of India’s spin duo, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin. Their combined mastery exposed the vulnerabilities in England’s batting line-up, particularly amongst the senior players. Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes – the experienced trio who have played a pivotal role in England’s recent Test resurgence – all failed to make a significant impact. Their scores in the 20s reflected a series of missed opportunities and an inability to counter the Indian spinners.
England’s batting woes are not a new phenomenon in India. The lack of big scores from their batsmen throughout the series left their bowlers with an insurmountable task. While England possess players with significant experience in Indian conditions, translating that experience into runs has proven elusive. Zak Crawley, despite his consistent performance averaging over 40 runs, couldn’t convert his starts into centuries.
The familiar pattern of English batsmen succumbing to spin pressure repeated itself. Once the Indian bowlers had a batsman’s measure, it became increasingly difficult to break free from the shackles. The relentlessness of the Indian attack wore down the English resolve, mirroring the sentiment expressed by Ben Stokes himself before the match – a fear of falling victim to “departure lounge syndrome.”
The sight of England’s 48-year-old batting coach, Marcus Trescothick, donning whites and preparing to substitute due to illness amongst the squad further exemplified the team’s struggles. England’s batting collapse, losing seven wickets for a mere 43 runs in just over 14 overs, marked the fourth consecutive match where a batting meltdown had decisively shifted the momentum in India’s favor. Their eventual dismissal for a paltry 218 runs left them with a mountain to climb.
In stark contrast, India’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma, capitalized on the opportunity presented by England’s batting frailties. They stitched together a century-opening partnership, putting India in a commanding position at the close of play. With Rohit Sharma unbeaten on 52 and a further eight wickets remaining, India requires just 83 runs to take the lead.
This contrasting display highlighted the disparity between the two teams. While England’s batting continues to be their Achilles’ heel, India exhibits a wealth of bowling options, with their spinners proving highly effective on a pitch that surprisingly yielded all ten wickets to spin. Kuldeep Yadav, the wrecker-in-chief for India, bamboozled the English batsmen with his deceptive wrist spin, claiming a well-deserved five-wicket haul.
Despite England’s insistence on making progress throughout the series, and India acknowledging that England has challenged them more than any other recent visitor, the end result seems destined to mirror previous tours. Positive talk risks ringing hollow if England fails to address their persistent batting issues.
The day’s events were encapsulated by the premature dismissal of Ollie Pope on the stroke of lunch. His struggle against good spin bowling exposed a fundamental weakness in his technique. His dismissal, following a pair in the previous Test, further emphasized the inconsistency that has plagued England’s batting throughout the series.
Zak Crawley, after surviving numerous close calls early in his innings, eventually succumbed to Kuldeep’s guile. Jonny Bairstow, desperate to mark his 100th Test with a substantial score, fell victim to his own desire for quick runs. Similarly, Joe Root and Ben Stokes were outfoxed by the Indian spinners, highlighting England’s collective struggles in reading the pitch and countering the variations offered by the Indian bowling attack.
While Ben Foakes offered some resistance with a gritty knock before the tea break, the lower order could only do so much in the face of England’s top-order collapse. Shoaib Bashir, with his three sixes in the first over, briefly threatened to turn the tide for England. However, the dismissal of Jaiswal, his fifty further underlining the gulf in consistency between the two teams, effectively ended any lingering hopes of an England comeback.
Day Result
The Indians are just 83 runs behind England’s first innings total. The hosts still have nine wickets in hand. Rohit Sharma was at the crease with Shubman Gill as his partner.
Brief Scorecard
| England First Innings: 218/10 (57.4 overs) | India First Innings:135/1 (37 overs) |
| Zak Crawley 79 (108) | Yashasvi Jaiswal 57 (58) |
| Ben Duckett 27 (58) | Rohit Sharma 42* (72) |
| Kuldeep Yadav 5/72 (15 overs) | Shoaib Bashir 1/57 (12 overs) |
| Ravichandran Ashwin 4/51 (11.4 overs) | James Anderson 0/12 (4 overs) |
Day Highlights
Day Wrap-Up
The spin bowling attack for India has brought more woes for the visitors as they only managed to put through two sessions on the first day at Dharamshala. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin shared nine wickets among them to restrict England within a meagre total in the first innings. After that, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal came out with all guns blazing to put the Indian score within a touching distance of the visitors.
