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In a riveting encounter on day four of the first Test between India and England, the English side registered a 28-run victory over the Indian team, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday.
India bundled out 202 in their second innings
Chasing a target of 231 for victory, India were bowled out for 202, with skipper Rohit Sharma top-scoring at 39. Tom Hartley emerged as the standout bowler for England, claiming an impressive 7/62 in his debut Test.
During the morning session, England posted a formidable total of 420 in their second innings, fuelled by Ollie Pope‘s remarkable knock of 196.
Rohit Sharma reveals the reason behind India’s defeat
When asked about the areas where India fell short against England, Rohit acknowledged his team failed as a unit, citing inadequate batting performance in the fourth innings as a key reason of defeat.
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“Hard to pinpoint where it went wrong. Having obtained a lead of 190, we thought we were very much in the game. Exceptional batting, one of the best I have seen in Indian conditions by an overseas batter. We bowled in the right areas. The bowlers executed the plans really well; you got to take your hat off to Pope and say well played. Overall, we failed as a team. We didn’t bat well enough. I wanted them to take the game to the fifth day. The lower order fought really well there. You need to be brave enough, which I thought we weren’t,” stated Rohit at the post-match presentation ceremony.
The second Test of the five-match series is scheduled to commence in Visakhapatnam on Friday, February 2.
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