Indian skipper Virat Kohli wasn’t happy after the fifth day of the first Test got washed out to force an unlikely draw in Nottingham. Team India was needed to score 157 runs on the final day to win the first Test and go 1-0 up in the five-match series.
After dismissing England for 303 in the second innings on day four, India were off to a good start. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul played sensibly as India reached 52/1 at the stumps. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma were on the crease as India were to chasing a target of 209.
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However, the game couldn’t resume on the final day. The first two sessions were washed out and the match officials decided it was enough and called the game off.
“We were expecting rain on days three and four but it chose to come on day five. It would have been enjoyable to play and watch, but it’s a shame. This is exactly what we wanted to do; start strong. On day five we knew we had our chances,” Kohli said after the match.
Jasprit Bumrah grabbed four wickets in the first innings to dismiss England for 183. Bumrah contributed with the bat as well and scored 28 runs to stretch India’s lead to 95. Rahul scored 84 runs in the first innings while Ravindra Jadeja (56) also managed a fifty in the game.
“We certainly felt like we were on top of the game. Getting that lead was crucial, but it’s a shame we couldn’t finish day five. Getting to fifty overnight was important. We just didn’t want to play for survival. Our intent kept us ahead,” Kohli added.
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England skipper Joe Root put a good fight during the fourth day and notched up his 21st Test century to follow up his first innings’ fifty.
“We were talking of a lead of 40-odd but we ended up with 95 and those runs were gold dust. Most likely this will be our template in this series, but adaptability has been our strength.”
“The conditions and the pace on the wicket needs to be seen, but this team will be our template. England and India have always been a blockbuster, and looking forward to the next Test,” Kohli concluded
The second Test will be played at Lord’s from August 12.
