Crucial late wickets spice up the tension in the Vizag Test, keeping the game finely poised!

While England amassed a maximum of 127 runs during the session, India captured five wickets.

It began with the overnight batter, Rehan Ahmed, striking readily in the morning while Rohit Sharma maintained his partnership with Axar Patel. Ultimately, he received his recompense following a 45-run stand in which he had Rehan playing across one, sliding on, and maintaining low in order to be caught LBW.

However, England continued to attack as promised, and Ollie Pope got off to a fast start. Crawley maintained the most composure of the batters despite effectively utilizing his reach and continuing to reroute the pressure with calculated smashes.

From around the wicket, R Ashwin discovered some drift and loop across the right-handeders, and he started to test both edges. Pope was apprehended by him after Rohit captured him at slip, and he also dispatched an assaulting Joe Root in flight to secure another catch.

However, Bairstow and Crawley responded with a rapidfire 40-run stand. Late in the session, India, however, converted two close LBW decisions in their favor, which altered the course of the game. Initially, Kildeep skidded Crawley, which resulted in his adjudication LBW on review. Bumrah, on the other hand, trapped Bairstow LBW on the umpire’s decision by bringing one sharply back in after a succession of away-going deliveries.

England required 205 more runs at the conclusion of the first session, but had only four wickets remaining, one of which belonged to captain Ben Stokes.