In a gripping display of spin bowling mastery, Kuldeep Yadav orchestrated a spectacular comeback for India on the opening day of the fifth Test against England in Dharamsala. The 29-year-old left-arm wrist spinner reached a significant milestone, claiming his 50th Test wicket and securing his fourth five-wicket haul in red-ball cricket.
The Turning Point
Zak Crawley, England’s resilient opener, seemed poised for a well-deserved century before falling victim to Kuldeep’s brilliance. After a seamless post-lunch innings, Crawley succumbed to a beautifully executed set-up by Kuldeep, who cleverly mixed his pace and lengths. The crucial breakthrough came with a big-turning leg break that left Crawley beaten on the drive, altering the course of the match. A brief scare at short leg did little to deter India, as the review denied England the reprieve they sought.
Pitch Dynamics
After providing assistance to seamers in the morning, the Dharamsala pitch transformed into a spin-friendly surface in the afternoon. Kuldeep exploited the conditions brilliantly, extracting appreciable turn, while Ravindra Jadeja utilized the skid and hold in the pitch to trouble the English batters. The changing dynamics highlighted the nuanced challenges posed by the pitch.
Momentum Swings
Jadeja further tilted the balance in India’s favor by dismissing Joe Root, who misjudged a slider and fell LBW. Jonny Bairstow attempted a counter-attack but succumbed to Kuldeep’s googly. Ben Stokes, too, struggled against the variations and was eventually trapped LBW. The momentum firmly swung towards the hosts as England’s middle order crumbled under pressure.
Ashwin’s Milestone
Celebrating his 100th Test, Ravichandran Ashwin made a crucial impact in his second spell, picking up two wickets in a single over. Tom Hartley fell prey to a rash shot, while Mark Wood departed for a first-ball duck, leaving England in dire straits. Ben Foakes, the lone survivor, displayed resilience but faced an uphill task with the tailenders.
Conclusion
As has been the trend in this series, England found themselves collapsing from a position of strength. Kuldeep Yadav’s spin magic, coupled with effective contributions from Jadeja and Ashwin, propelled India into a commanding position on the first day. The match promises further excitement as the visitors look to recover from a challenging situation.
Brief scores: England 194/8 (Zak Crawley 79; Kuldeep Yadav 5-72, Ravichandran Ashwin 2-39) vs India
