Contrary to the expectations, the final day of the first Test between India and England became interesting when the visitors threatened to take a 1-0 lead in the series but Indian skipper Virat Kohli held firm from one end to ensure a draw for the hosts.
Earlier, English openers Alastair Cook and Haseeb Hameed started the day from where they had left off on the fourth day. The duo added 66 runs to the overnight score to give England a solid platform. Haseeb was finally dismissed on 82 by Amit Mishra. 12 runs later, Mishra struck again to give India some hopes but it was quashed by a 68-run partnership between Cook and Ben Stokes. The visitors finally declared their innings on 260 when Cook was dismissed for 130 runs.
Needing 310 runs from around 50 overs for an improbable win, the Indian team made the worst possible start as Gautam Gambhir was dismissed even without opening his account. The English bowlers’ discipline made it very tough for the Indian batsmen to score runs and a draw was looking like the most likely result. However, the English team threatened to cause an upset when they dismissed four Indian batsmen with only 71 on the board and around 26 overs still left to play. But Virat Kohli along with first-innings’ half-centurion Ashwin steadied the ship with a 47-runs partnership that spanned over 15 overs. And just when it looked like the batsmen will comfortably save the game, England dismissed Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha in quick succession to revive their hopes. With the fans at the edge of their seats, Kohli (49*) played a responsible knock to avoid an upset. He was ably supported by Ravindra Jadeja (32*), who played some attacking shots to ease the pressure off his captain.
Meanwhile, Alastair Cook’s men will be mighty pleased with their efforts and will take this draw against the world number one side as a moral boosting win.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play:
https://twitter.com/cricketworms/status/797763663545253888
The only team to trouble & outstrip India at home in this decade! Rest all have been pushovers… Well played, England !!! #IndvsEng
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) November 13, 2016
English reserve players are out and standing outside the boundary ropes to throw the balls quickly! Unique scenes at Rajkot #IndvsEng
— Shuvra Bhaumik (@Shuvra_SRKian) November 13, 2016
Scores don't tell about the juice of the match. Those who have seen the last 30 overs of the #IndvsEng have enjoyed the 5 day test in 2 hrs.
— Neeraj (@toinboxneeraj) November 13, 2016
Jadeja's natural talent is to waste time, what a star#IndvsEng
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) November 13, 2016
Jadeja checking if they can ask for the extra half hour to chase this down #IndvEng
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) November 13, 2016
This result would be moral result for England. They outplayed India completely #IndvsEng
— MK (@ImKannanMS) November 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/PapaLurch_/status/797751497178157056
England will feel they can get a result in Rajkot. Even if they don't, and India hang on, psychological damage has been done #IndvsEng
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) November 13, 2016
Wow…game alive. And this is why we love Test cricket. India battling to save the game #EngVsInd
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) November 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/797733720782344193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/StewieCricket/status/797733197769539584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Nightmare of a Test for Rahane, started with the drop, followed by two poor dismissals.#IndvsEng
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) November 13, 2016
Bet Pujara knows how Dravid used to feel whenever the latter got out. "Kohli Kohli… Sacheeeen Sacheeeen" #IndvsEng
— Beef Fry Joe (@RTtweeted) November 13, 2016
India have been bowled out 6 times inside 50overs in 4th inngs.
Can't see even a slim chance of that happening,batting practice #IndvsEng— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/797712046871560192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The next time we see grass on an Indian pitch.. NEVER#INDvENG
— Pratyush Sinha (@prat1204) November 13, 2016
I was privileged to watch you bat in 2007-11 period. #ThankYouGambhir #IndvsEng
— Nishith (@Nicks103) November 13, 2016
This should be the #ThankYouGambhir moment. #IndvsEng
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/797705548871311360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/797706059037061120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
What a player Cook is!! Probably the most mentally tough cricketer out there, amazing powers of concentration! Englands best ever! #IndvEng
— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) November 13, 2016