Sarfaraz Khan and Devdutt Padikkal showcased a resilient partnership, steering India back on track during the second session of Day 2 after England initially gained momentum. In the first session, England’s dream start was marred by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill’s impressive batting, propelling India forward with a 171-run partnership. Ben Stokes, returning to bowling after the Ashes, bowled a magical delivery to dismiss Rohit for 103, and Anderson followed suit, claiming Gill for 110 and reaching 699 Test wickets.
Devdutt Padikkal counterattacked, and Sarfaraz played patiently before accelerating after the drinks break. The duo’s efforts rejuvenated India’s innings, stabilizing the team.
On Day 1, England’s openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, defied Jasprit Bumrah’s challenging deliveries, with Kuldeep Yadav eventually turning the game in India’s favor. Kuldeep, reminiscent of Shane Warne’s brilliance, dismantled England’s middle order in a breathtaking display, leading to a collapse from 137/2 to 218 all out. Duckett fell victim to a googly, Pope was stumped after struggling post-196, and Crawley’s promising half-century succumbed to Kuldeep’s ‘ball of the century.’
Kuldeep’s exceptional bowling, admired by the late Shane Warne, encapsulated seven years of growth since his Test debut at the same venue. England, seemingly settled at 137/2, found themselves bewildered as they lost 7 wickets for 81 runs, succumbing to yet another batting collapse. The dramatic turn of events highlighted the impact of Kuldeep’s spell, reminiscent of the legendary Australian spinner.
With the series poised on a knife’s edge, the second day’s play witnessed a thrilling ebb and flow, showcasing the resilience of both teams and setting the stage for an enthralling continuation of the Test match.
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