Day 5 live cricket score updates for India vs England (IND vs ENG) 1st Test: Despite losing KL Rahul for 26 runs, India got off to a fantastic start in their chase of a total of 209 runs. With nine wickets in hand, India needs 157 runs on Day 5.
Joe Root led from the front with a brilliant counter-attacking century, but India’s five-wicket haul on the fourth day put them in pole position to chase down a difficult win target of 209 against England in the first Test. India reached 52 for one in the last hour, with Stuart Broad dismissing KL Rahul (26 off 38 balls) with a beauty. With 12 wickets each, Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara were undefeated.
England put up a much-improved batting display, hitting 303 in 85.5 overs and securing a 208-run lead, thanks to Root’s 21st Test century — a superb 109 off 172 balls. On his way to his sixth five-wicket haul, Bumrah (5/64 in 19 overs) polished the tail in a flash with the second now ball.
XIs in action:
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (w), Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Shahbaz Nadeem, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Shahbaz Nadeem
Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (w), Dominic Bess, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, James Anderson. England: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (w), Dominic Bess, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, James Anderson.
Joe Root drove Shardul Thakur past midfield and was able to express his feelings. Since mid-February, his batting form had deteriorated. His captaincy has been scrutinised. Root was asked during the pre-match press conference if the next ten Tests – five against India and five in the Ashes – would define his captaincy destiny. The England captain didn’t dismiss the subject, and he seemed to acknowledge that the outcomes of the two high-profile series could have an impact. However, he is not your average Joe, and his masterclass at Trent Bridge gave his team a chance.
Root’s 21st Test century, his first in England in three years, was one of his 106-game career’s highlights. The sun shined brightly for the first time in four days, and play continued unabated. Batting grew simpler as the pitch and conditions improved. Root, on the other hand, was up against a top-class Indian pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, who took five wickets in England’s second innings to signal his return to form following the World Test Championship (WTC) final lull. The hosts scored 303 in their second innings, setting India a 209-run target. Root was responsible for 109 of those runs.
It was a thrilling day of Test cricket, one that belonged to Neeraj Chopra in the Indian sporting milieu. It’s not often that a game between India and England is eclipsed by other sporting events, but the 87.58 million mark has now been engraved in sporting history.
Root, on the other hand, held the key to the day for England. Trouble loomed at 46/2 in the first inning, with a 95-run deficit. Root steadily grew into the game after a streaky four against Bumrah to get off the mark. Mohammed Siraj was getting his inswingers going when a sharp breeze blew over the pitch. With a couple of beautiful boundaries against the spinner, England’s batting star demonstrated his purpose. Mohammed Shami’s back-to-back fours were even better. The game was being taken to India by Root.
Virat Kohli attempted to keep his opposite number off strike so he could attack Dom Sibley. The ruse came close to working. Root’s batting grew a touch jittery for a spell. By hitting a four off Shami, he rediscovered his rhythm and reached his half-century.
Kohli’s rivalry with James Anderson isn’t the series’ only drama. Root’s challenge is to go head-to-head with his Fab Four teammates — Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith. This was his tenth Test century as England’s captain. He is only ahead of Peter May, Graham Gooch, and Alastair Cook.
For his performance in the WTC final, Bumrah was chastised. The fast bowler was undercooked against New Zealand in June after returning to the red-ball fold after a few months away. He’s back in his element now. The delivery that struck out a well-positioned Root slanted in and pitched on the fifth-stump channel, carrying the extra bounce of the second new ball. Behind the stumps, Root drew it to Rishabh Pant.
Sam Curran’s head was also crucial. As is his habit, the left-hander was frustrating India. The gap between England and the rest of the world was rapidly widening. With a quick delivery, Bumrah accounted for Curran, who was pressed for space. Stuart Broad was castled by a superb yorker at the next ball. On top of his 4/46 in the first innings, the pacer finished with 5/64 from 19 overs.
England had one important partnership – 89 runs for the third wicket between Root and Sibley – surrounded by a few more good partnerships. Root’s associates were failing him. Jonny Bairstow appeared to be in fine form, but he mistimed a Siraj half-tracker to Ravindra Jadeja at deep square leg. India appeared to be anticipating it, based on the field posture. After hitting a great shot, Dan Lawrence slid a little too far over against Thakur and was caught leg-first. To be bowled, Jos Buttler shouldered his arm to an approaching Thakur delivery.
From India’s perspective, their fast bowlers took all 20 wickets in the encounter. The speed quartet did their job, despite Shami’s poor performance on Saturday. On the final day, the onus switches to the batsmen, who must score 157 runs to win.