As the sun dipped below the horizon on a balmy Sunday evening, England‘s hopes of victory dwindled with the fading light. India’s bowlers, expertly exploiting a pitch that had come alive, dismantled the home side, leaving them with a meager target of 193. The tourists, at 41-1, were firmly in control.
Despite a challenging first innings, Brydon Carse found his rhythm in the final hour. In a dramatic turn of events,he dismissed Karun Nair and captain Shubman Gill,who was caught behind. The atmosphere crackled with intensity as Chris Woakes rallied the home crowd, with Joe Root a commanding presence at first slip. Even Akash Deep’s attempts to slow the game were thwarted by Ben Stokes, igniting pandemonium.
“Ther was a real edge out there, creating a fantastic spectacle,” commented former England opener Trescothick, highlighting the team’s controlled excitement.”We were fairly relaxed in the dressing room, managing the emotions.”
The question of control looms large for Monday morning. KL Rahul, dropped on five by Woakes, remains unbeaten on 33, a crucial anchor for India. The arrival of Rishabh Pant, fit to bat, adds another layer of unpredictability. His aggressive style could swiftly end the match.
“Rahul is key to India’s stability,” noted Sir Alastair Cook. “His presence brings calm. It’s a test of nerve, and England, as the home side, should have the edge. If Pant fires, the game is India’s; if not, the pressure mounts significantly.”
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