In a dramatic turn of events during Day 1 of the 5th Test against England, India’s left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav showcased his brilliance, reminiscent of Shane Warne, to dismiss the well-settled Zak Crawley.
Until that pivotal moment, Crawley had been displaying exceptional skill against Indian bowlers. However, Kuldeep delivered a mesmerizing delivery that found the perfect gap between Crawley’s bat and pad, shattering the English batter’s stumps and leaving everyone astounded. Reports indicated that the ball spun more than 10 degrees, adding to the bewilderment caused by Kuldeep’s magical delivery.
Crawley, who was steadily approaching his century, fell victim to Kuldeep’s magic, abruptly ending his impressive innings. Kuldeep’s remarkable performance included a five-wicket haul, significantly contributing to India’s success in reducing England to 194 for eight at tea on Day 1.
Kuldeep Yadav Takes a Dominant Fifer to Put India on Top in Dharamsala Test
The post-lunch session saw England, starting at 100 for two, lose six wickets for just 94 runs. Indian spinners, led by Kuldeep with figures of 5/72, showcased their prowess, dismantling the English batting unit. Opener Zak Crawley emerged as the sole resistance for England, scoring 79 runs off 108 balls.
While there were middling partnerships, notably the 37-run collaboration between Crawley and Joe Root for the third wicket and the 38-run stand between Root and Jonny Bairstow (29) for the fourth wicket, they proved insufficient for the visitors. The final five wickets for England tumbled for a mere eight runs, with spinners R Ashwin, playing his 100th Test, and Ravindra Jadeja also making crucial contributions.
In a testament to the spin-friendly conditions, the spinners claimed all 10 wickets of England’s innings. Ravichandran Ashwin secured four wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja added one more to the tally. England eventually succumbed, being bowled out for 218 in 57.4 overs.
Kuldeep Yadav’s magical spell and the overall spin dominance highlighted India’s command on the proceedings, putting them in a favourable position after Day 1 in the final Test match against England. The unpredictable nature of the game was vividly on display as the Indian spin duo wreaked havoc on the English batting lineup, setting the stage for an intriguing remainder of the Test.
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