Many felt that England the visiting team was scared that the hosts have the capacity to chase down the total. But as it happened on Day 5, England comfortably managed to bundle out Virat Kohli and his men with a lot of overs in hand and took a lead of 1-0 up in the series. James Anderson put up a special performance in the morning after which the rest of the bowlers joined the party to register a memorable win.
India resumed the final day with the requirement of chasing down 381 runs but it was all about playing out 90 overs to save the Test. The fans and experts were hoping for the team to repeat their heroics from Sydney and Brisbane. But the pitch was getting worse with each passing over and it proved to be an uphill task for India.
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Cheteshwar Pujara was the first to be dismissed on the skillful delivery by Jack Leach which spits from a good length ball to catch the bat’s edge and rest in the hands of the slip fielder. Shubman Gill was playing some dominating cricket and it looked while he lasted scoring an impressive half-century. James Anderson then managed to send the youngster’s off-stump for a cartwheel with a beautiful reverse swinging delivery and followed it up with yet another ripper to send Ajinkya Rahane’s off-stump for a walk in the same over.
Soon Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar followed as India witnessed a major collapse as they went down from 92/2 to 117/6 dumping all the hopes of a draw. On the other end, Virat Kohli was didn’t give up when the wickets tumbled around him. Whenever England’s spinners faltered in their lines, he took the toll of them hitting boundaries and in the process, got to his 24th half-century as well.
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However, Kohli, who was seen trying to help Pant to counter James Anderson at his best having done that in the last few years. But much to his horror, the very next delivery the youngster got out leaving India in even more trouble with Anderson picking his third. As a result of the same, some of the netizens on Social Media blamed Kohli for not letting Pant play his natural game. Here are some of the reactions:
— Sandybatsman (@sandybatsman) February 9, 2021
#RishabPant was playing really well he misses the ball outside of off stump & then the Captain #Kohli had a chat with pant & he got out the very next ball to James Anderson. #IndvsEng https://t.co/hqJpoBuOLf
— Pablo Escobar (@cutshot45) February 9, 2021
Pant jis ball or out hua ..Uske pahle kohli usko gyan Dene gya tha ..
— Perpendicular (@Perpend92286456) February 9, 2021
The problem with Virat Kohli is that he always try to suggest player…. Let him play, don't give your input…. Pant is a player who look good only when he was given freedom to play shots
— 1143Shiv (@shiv_1143) February 9, 2021
Pant was struggling with not playing his natural game against Anderson and ends up chipping a soft catch to Root. Kohli must be wondering what is going on at the other end… #INDvENG
— Jonny (@Leathernwillow) February 9, 2021
@vincentsunder if kohli wasn't there with pant …Atleast he played his natural game … Pant Helped Anderson 👍
— Shrikant Deshmukh(SRT_Fanatic) (@shrikantd31) February 9, 2021
Kohli not looking at Pant 😂😂😂
— Waqas. (@VickzTiwana) February 9, 2021
Wicket se just pehle kohli and pant were talking. Next ball Pant is out. Isn't that a bit weird or am I overthinking?
— TEJAS MALHOTRA (@_tejasmalhotra) February 9, 2021
