India vs England 5th Test: Day 1 Highlights and Record Breakers

he final showdown in the India vs England cricket series is setting Dharamsala ablaze, with both teams facing off in the 5th Test from March 07 to 11, 2024. This match not only marks a series clincher for India with a 3-1 lead but also celebrates the 100th Test cap for cricket legends Ravichandran Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow amidst the backdrop of the picturesque hill station, promising intriguing cricket scores and memorable performances.

With both teams ready to give their best, the pitch awaits to challenge the players with good bounce and early spin, setting the stage for Shubman Gill and other key players to make their mark. England's decision to bat first after winning the toss raises the anticipation for cricket enthusiasts tracking the match for the latest cricket score, making 'Ind vs Eng' and 'India vs England' the most anticipated keywords in the cricket world this week.

Day 1 Highlights: Key Moments

England's decision to bat first saw them putting up a total of 218 all out by the end of the first day's play. Key contributions came from Crawley and Bairstow, with scores of 78 and 61 runs respectively, setting a challenging target for India. Despite a promising start, England's innings was curtailed by Kuldeep Yadav's exceptional 5-wicket haul, supported by Ashwin's 4 wickets, showcasing India's bowling strength.

India responded robustly, finishing the day at 135/1, trailing England by 83 runs. The opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal was pivotal, scoring 52 and 57 runs respectively. The day concluded with Jaiswal's dismissal by Shoaib Bashir in the final over, bringing Shubman Gill to the crease, who remained unbeaten on 25 runs.

Noteworthy events included:

• Debut Alert: Devdutt Padikkal made his Test debut, becoming the 314th player to represent India in Tests.
• Injury Update: Rajat Patidar was ruled out of the 5th Test due to an injury sustained during a practice session.
• Milestone: Fifty runs scored by Crawley off a delivery from Kuldeep, highlighting England's aggressive batting approach in the initial sessions.

Records Broken and Achieved

In the ongoing India vs England 5th Test, several records have been broken or achieved, highlighting the exceptional performances of the players.

• Milestone Achievements:

  1. Ravichandran Ashwin celebrated his 100th Test match appearance, tying with Cheteshwar Pujara for the second-highest wins (58) by an Indian cricketer in Test matches.
  2. Yashasvi Jaiswal is on the verge of surpassing Virat Kohli's record, needing just 1 run to exceed Kohli's tally of 655 runs in a single Test series against England. Additionally, Jaiswal is 120 runs away from becoming the Indian batter with the most runs in a single Test series, a record currently held by Sunil Gavaskar.
  3. Kuldeep Yadav has become the world's quickest spinner to reach 50 Test wickets, taking only 1,871 balls. He's also the first Indian and only the third left-arm spinner globally to claim over 50 Test wickets, marking a significant achievement in cricket history.

• Record Breakers:

  • Jaiswal shattered Virender Sehwag's record for the most sixes hit by an Indian in a calendar year, with 23 maximums in 2024. He is now chasing the all-time record for most sixes in a single year.
  • Kuldeep Yadav is not only the fastest Indian bowler to reach 50 Test wickets in the last 100 years but also the joint sixth-fastest Indian to achieve this milestone, alongside cricket legends like Subhash Gupte, Erapalli Prasanna, and Axar Patel.

Stellar Performances

In the India vs England 5th Test, the spotlight shone brightly on a few standout performances that significantly impacted the game's flow and outcome. Notably:

• Bowling Brilliance:

  • Ravichandran Ashwin: With a history of landmark performances, Ashwin continued to demonstrate his bowling prowess. His previous notable achievements include 7/103 and 5/95 against Australia in Chennai (2013), and 7/83 against West Indies in North Sound (2016). In this match, Ashwin's 4 wickets were crucial in limiting England's batting lineup.
  • Kuldeep Yadav: The spinner's 5-wicket haul was instrumental in dismantling England's batting order, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.

• Batting Highlights:

  • Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal: The opening partnership laid a solid foundation for India's response to England's total. Sharma and Jaiswal scored 52 and 57 runs respectively, demonstrating their batting skills and setting the stage for India's robust reply.

Conclusion and Series Impact

Throughout the series, the India vs England 5th Test has proven itself as a crucible of cricketing excellence, showcasing not just nail-biting finishes but also celebrating the milestones of cricket legends like Ravichandran Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow. The match has been a testament to the prowess and resilience of both teams, with standout performances from players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and the exceptional bowling by Kuldeep Yadav. These highlights not only captivate cricket fans but also set new records, pushing the boundaries of what's achievable in the sport.