Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill both posted impressive centuries as India strengthened their grip on the fifth Test match at Dharamshala. The Indians battled the whole day and seemed to have sealed the match with another dazzling batting display. The English spinners toiled hard but they were no match for the brilliance of the Indian batters. After two days, it seems the game could end on the third day of the Test.
Team Lineups
India made two changes from the team that sealed the series in Ranchi. The Indian selectors have run out of patience already with Rajat Patidar. The 30 year old middle order batsman has failed to register a substantial score in the series despite being given chances in the absence of senior players. His exclusion from the team meant it was time for a debut for 23 year old batter Devdutt Paddikal.
The 23 year old batsman from Kerala has been in a rich vein of form in the Ranji Trophy and has earned a much deserved call-up in the team. Paddikal joined the new looking middle order with Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel also in the mix. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been shining brightly at the top of the order for the Indians with Rohit Sharma as his opening partner. Shubman Gill completed the top order with his touch of elegance.
The Indian selectors are looking to initiate Jasprit Bumrah slowly to the first team. The mercurial pacer was selected to play in this match as team India eyed their fourth straight match in the Test fornat. Bumrah reclaimed the vacant space left by Akash Deep. The pace bowler from Bihar produced a fine performance in his debut Test match. It was a historical occasion for Ravichandran Ashwin who was due to take part in his hundredth Test match. Ashwin became the fourteenth Indian player to reach this milestone. The veteran is the 2nd off-spinner to touch the three figures of Test matches after Harbhajan Singh. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja were the other spinners in the spin triad for India.
England made just one change from their team in Ranchi. Ollie Robinson’s return to the international arena was short lived as he made way for the fast bowler Mark Wood. There were centurions of Test matches in the England team also. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow became the 6th and 7th players for England to reach the milestone of hundred Test matches.
Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley retained their places in the team with both of them enjoying impressive debut series. James Anderson was just two wickets away from becoming the first ever pace bowler with 700 Test wickets. The serious concern for England was their batsmen’s constant failure to post big scores on spinning pitches.
England
1. Zak Crawley 2. Ben Duckett 3. Ollie Pope 4. Joe Root 5. Jonny Bairstow 6. Ben Stokes (Cap.) 7. Ben Foakes (WK) 8. Mark Wood 9. Tom Hartley 10. Shoaib Bashir 11. James Anderson
India
1. Rohit Sharma (Cap.) 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal 3. Shubman Gill 4. Devdutt Paddikal 5. Sarfaraz Khan 6. Ravindra Jadeja 7. Dhruv Jurel (WK) 8. Ravichandran Ashwin 9. Kuldeep Yadav 10. Jasprit Bumrah 11. Mohammed Siraj
English captain Ben Stokes won the toss and decided to bat first under chilly conditions at Dharamshala. The Englishmen are familiar with this type of weather back at home. The Dharamshala wicket is usually on the slower side because of its soil texture. The pitch may assist the pace bowlers on the first couple of days of the Test match due to overcast conditions. However, with the sun beating down on the ground, they pitch will eventually become easier to bat on. So, fielding first is never a ball call at Dharamshala. But if the sun shines, batting first should be a top priority. After the reconstruction in 2013, this stadium has hosted only one Test match. That game back in 2017 was won comprehensively by the hosts. The Australians were bowled out in the second innings for a score of just 137. So, India would go on to the fifth Test with a 100% record at this ground. England has previously played at this ground. In a high-scoring encounter in the 2023 World Cup, they demolished Bangladesh by 137 runs.
Fixture
India and England have met on 135 occasions prior to this Test match. The visitors have the upper hand with 51 wins. The other 50 Test matches ended in a draw. India has emerged victorious on 34 occasions. In Tests in India, the hosts have won 25 games. Two of England’s 15 Test wins came in 2012, the last time a visiting side had toppled the Indians in their own backyard in a series. The first Test match in India’s history was played against England at Lord’s in June. 1932.
| Venue | The first day of the fifth Test match between India and England was played at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. |
| Date | The game started on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. local time. |
Captaincy & Tactics
Within the middle of India’s astonish misfortune in Hyderabad, Bumrah’s six wickets over two innings had been a caution as to where the genuine danger in India’s assault would lie. So it demonstrated at Visakhapatnam on what had been touted as a spinners’ heaven, as Bumrah heaped that same pull into one electrifying show, springing the trap on England’s hitters with the insufferable figures of 6 for 45 in 15.5 overs.
All six of those came within the space of 71 conveyances over his last three micro-spells – a yelling, hustling show of express-paced switch swing in which the cream of England’s batting were basically dispossessed of answers. Joe Root’s capability of being heard moaning as he snickered an outswinger to to begin with slip, having adjusted himself to Bumrah’s introductory shape into his cushions.
It affirmed the degree to which indeed England’s boss had been outflanked. But it was Bumrah’s ensuing extraction of England’s first-Test saint Ollie Pope – impacted from the wrinkle by an unplayable inswinging yorker – which demonstrated that, fair sometimes, the threat is as well intense indeed for this group to keep running towards it.
It was a one-man appearance to coordinate that which Yashasvi Jaiswal had completed for India within the morning session, as he changed over his overnight 179 to an epic 209 from 290 balls, in an innings in which no other player passed 34. In spite of the fact that Bumrah was sponsored up in ageless flat-deck mold by the wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav – whose sharp-turning wiles claimed three of the other four wickets to drop – the degree to which he up-ended this challenge is maybe best expressed by the tranquillity of England’s advance exterior of his executioner burst.
Batting Analysis
India’s journey towards a commanding position in the Dharamsala Test against England was nothing short of scenic. They batted throughout the second day, ultimately building a substantial lead of 255 runs with just two wickets remaining. The picturesque backdrop of the Dhauladhars witnessed stellar performances from Indian batsmen, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill notching centuries, while Sarfaraz Khan and debutant Devdutt Padikkal contributed with impressive fifties. The Indian top order clicked seamlessly, painting a dominant picture on the canvas of the match.
Even the return of the talented Ben Stokes with the ball couldn’t alter England’s fortunes significantly. Stokes made an impact by dismissing Rohit with a seaming delivery that shattered the off stump, breaking a crucial partnership and adding to England’s woes on the tour. Despite Stokes showcasing his all-rounder abilities after a long break, England struggled to contain the Indian batsmen in benign conditions. However, their efforts were marred by lapses in the field, including Stokes dropping a chance off a no-ball.
Shoaib Bashir, battling the effects of a stomach bug, displayed resilience and a cutting edge with his bowling. His extended spell, reminiscent of his previous outing in Ranchi, showcased his determination despite physical challenges. England missed opportunities, with fielding lapses denying Bashir potential wickets. The day concluded with India firmly in control, as even the duo of Stokes and Anderson couldn’t thwart the hosts’ dominance.
India navigated through the day effortlessly, establishing a substantial lead as Rohit and Gill notched up their respective centuries. The partnership between the two promising young batsmen hinted at a bright future for Indian cricket. Padikkal’s aggressive strokes added to the spectacle, complemented by Sarfaraz’s resilience at the crease. The ebb and flow of the match saw England making sporadic breakthroughs, but India’s stronghold remained intact.
Bowling Analysis
The scenic backdrop of the Dhauladhar mountains witnessed a day of complete domination by the Indian batting unit on day two of the Dharamsala Test. India piled on a mammoth lead, batting throughout the day to reach a commanding position of 473 for 8 by stumps. This left England with a mountain to climb and their bowlers with a lot to answer for.
Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill continued their imperious form, registering their second centuries of the series. Rohit, the more experienced of the two, notched up his 12th Test ton, while Gill, showcasing his immense talent, reached his fourth Test hundred. Both batsmen fell prey to England’s fightback attempts, but not before stitching together a monumental 171-run partnership that laid the foundation for India’s dominance.
Even the return of Ben Stokes, bowling his first competitive spell since the Ashes last year, couldn’t provide England with a sustained breakthrough. His dismissal of Rohit with the very first ball of his spell, a beauty that rattled the stumps, offered a glimmer of hope. However, England’s fielding woes, exemplified by Stokes dropping Sarfaraz Khan off his own bowling (albeit a no-ball), further dented their chances.
Shoaib Bashir, despite battling a stomach bug, emerged as a bright spark for England. He bowled tirelessly, clocking his longest first-class stint (matching his 44-over spell in Ranchi) and threatening with his spin. A dropped catch by Zak Crawley when Rohit was on 68 robbed him of a potential second five-wicket haul in just his third Test. Later, Stokes put down Kuldeep Yadav in the slips, allowing India’s ninth-wicket pair to survive till close.
The question of whether England would have benefited from deploying Stokes throughout the series lingered after a serene morning session for India, where they piled on runs without losing a wicket. England managed to grab two wickets after lunch – Rohit and Gill – but the lead remained healthy at 61. This brief period of hope was extinguished by another flourishing partnership between two young Indian talents – Devdutt Padikkal and Sarfaraz Khan.
Padikkal, playing his first Test, initially found the boundary with ease, while Sarfaraz took his time to settle in. He then unleashed a flurry of attacking shots to reach his third Test fifty. However, both batsmen fell to Bashir’s guile, who managed to break the partnership just as they threatened to build big scores.
Despite these dismissals, India continued to march on. Wickets fell at regular intervals in the latter part of the day, but the damage had already been done. Contributions from Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin ensured India ended the day with a massive lead and England facing a seemingly insurmountable task in the remaining days.
The day belonged to the Indian batting unit. Rohit and Gill’s centuries set the tone, while Padikkal’s impressive debut knock and fifties from Sarfaraz Khan and Jadeja further consolidated India’s position. England, on the other hand, have their work cut out for them if they are to salvage anything from this Test match.
Fielding Analysis
On a day like this. You need the proper backup of your fielders to shine. The Indian bowlers got the assistance of fielders in their innings. Shubman Gill enjoyed a wonderful outing in the field. The Punjab batsman took four catches in the day. His fielding performance at the slip was inspirational. Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar also took one catch apiece as England crumbled before the might of Jasprit Bumrah.
The second day of the Dharamsala Test belonged to India, who batted with purpose and determination to amass a commanding lead. England, on the other hand, were left to rue missed opportunities and a lack of firepower in their bowling attack.
Ben Stokes’ return to bowling after a long absence was a bright spot for England. He provided a dramatic moment reminiscent of an Ian Botham special, dismissing Rohit Sharma with the very first ball of his spell. This briefly reignited England’s hopes, but India’s methodical batting approach soon quashed any momentum.
The key to India’s dominance was their ability to build partnerships throughout the day. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill continued their impressive form, registering their second centuries of the series. Their 171-run stand laid a solid foundation for the innings. Even after their dismissals, subsequent partnerships between Sarfaraz Khan and Devdutt Padikkal (97 runs) and Jadeja-Ashwin ensured a constant flow of runs.
England’s bowling lacked teeth, particularly in the first session where India piled on 129 runs without losing a wicket. While Stokes’ early wicket of Rohit was a positive sign, he wasn’t able to sustain the pressure, bowling only five overs for the day. James Anderson, at 41, looked weary and struggled to find his rhythm, bowling just 10 overs. Mark Wood, who has found the tour challenging, was expensive, conceding runs at an over four run rate.
The lack of a young, fit seamer in the England attack was a glaring weakness. Gus Atkinson, who was overlooked for the entire tour, might have offered a different dimension compared to the tried-and-tested Wood-Anderson combination.
India’s intent was clear from the outset – to bat England out of the match. They were motivated by comments from England players like Ben Duckett, who suggested that young Indian batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal had learned his skills by watching England. This fired up the Indian team, who are determined to win the series 4-1.
Openers Rohit and Gill feasted on the bowling in the first session, reaching their centuries with minimal fuss. Both batsmen capitalized on England’s fielding lapses, with Rohit dropped by Zak Crawley at leg slip when he was on 68.
Stokes’ dismissal of Rohit with the first ball of his spell was a turning point, similar to a classic Ian Botham moment. However, England couldn’t build on this early success. Anderson provided some support by dismissing Gill, but Sarfaraz Khan, playing with swagger, counter-attacked with a quickfire fifty. Padikkal also played some attractive strokes, contributing to a 97-run stand with Sarfaraz that dashed England’s hopes of a comeback.
While India lost three wickets in quick succession after tea, with Padikkal, Jurel, and Jadeja all departing, England couldn’t capitalize. Stokes, visibly fatigued, dropped Kuldeep Yadav at slip, allowing India to end the day with a massive lead of 255 runs.
England face a monumental task in the remaining days. Their bowling attack needs a significant improvement, and they will need to show much more fight with the bat if they are to avoid a humiliating defeat. India, on the other hand, are in a commanding position and will be looking to seal the series win as quickly as possible.
Key Performances
In the picturesque setting of the Dharamsala Test, India took a leisurely path to assert their dominance, displaying a batting masterclass throughout the second day to amass a commanding lead of 255 runs over England, with two wickets still in hand. The breathtaking backdrop of the Dhauladhars witnessed stellar performances from India’s top order, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill notching up centuries, while Sarfaraz Khan and debutant Devdutt Padikkal contributed vital fifties.
Even the return of Ben Stokes to the bowling crease couldn’t alter England’s fortunes significantly. Stokes, making his bowling comeback after 251 days, made an immediate impact by dismissing Rohit Sharma with a sharply seaming delivery that shattered the off stump. Despite his efforts, England’s bowlers struggled to contain India’s rampant batting line-up in the placid conditions. Stokes himself was unfortunate, dropping Sarfaraz Khan in his follow-through, a miss compounded by a subsequent no-ball call.
Shoaib Bashir’s resilience stood out amidst England’s bowling efforts. Despite battling the after-effects of a stomach bug, Bashir delivered a marathon 44-over spell, showcasing both endurance and skill. His efforts could have been more rewarding had Zak Crawley held onto a sharp chance at leg slip, potentially leading to a second five-for in only his third Test. However, missed opportunities plagued England’s fielding, exemplified by Stokes’ drop of Kuldeep Yadav in the slips during Bashir’s final over of the day.
India’s serene morning session, where they piled on 129 runs without loss, set the tone for their dominance. Despite the setbacks of losing key wickets including Gill’s dismissal by James Anderson, India’s burgeoning talent and established stars kept the scoreboard ticking. Padikkal’s audacious stroke play, coupled with Sarfaraz’s gritty innings, extended India’s lead past 150 at tea.
However, England struck back intermittently, with Bashir accounting for key wickets including Sarfaraz and Padikkal. Tom Hartley’s contributions further dented India’s middle order, but the damage had been done. With Rohit and Gill notching up their respective centuries, India firmly seized control of the match, leaving England with an uphill battle.
As the day unfolded, Rohit’s elegant strokeplay and Gill’s audacious shots left England’s bowlers grasping for answers. Stokes, despite his return, couldn’t stem the flow of runs as India’s batsmen dictated terms. The partnership between Padikkal and Sarfaraz further reinforced India’s dominance, extinguishing any hopes of an England fightback.
Turning Point
The turning point of the day came on the second ball of the 50th over. After losing Rehan Ahmed, England was trying to bring back some momentum into their innings with the eighth wicket partnership. Ben Stokes was batting at the score of 47 from 53 deliveries. The English captain was in his typical attacking sense, hitting five boundaries and a massive six to launch a counterattack just like he did in the first innings of the first Test. His partner Tom Hartley was batting at a score of 15. England was getting close to the score of 250. The lead taken by the Indian needed to be reduced as much as possible if the visitors wanted to stay in this Test. From the other hand,
Jasprit Bumrah was delivering a fiery spell with swing and pace. The 30 year old right arm pacer was proving impossible to deal at that point in time. Stokes had played defensive shots against the pace of Bumrah up to that point. The second ball of the 50th over was too much even for a great player like Stokes. The ball pitched at good length, jagged back sharply, and bowled Stokes. The English skipper threw away his bat in frustration while the Indians celebrated. It was a masterstroke by a man who was reaching the pinnacle of first bowling on a rather tame pitch. England lost their way after that and India were able to gain a huge lead after the English 1st innings.
Day Result
India were 155 runs ahead after the day ended at Dharamshala. The hosts have two more wickets in hand to extend the lead.
Brief Scorecard
| England First Innings: 218/10 (57.4 overs) | India First Innings:473/8 (122 overs) |
| Zak Crawley 79 (108) | Shubman Gill 110 (150) |
| Ben Duckett 27 (58) | Rohit Sharma 103 (162) |
| Kuldeep Yadav 5/72 (15 overs) | Shoaib Bashir 4/172 (45 overs) |
| Ravichandran Ashwin 4/51 (11.4 overs) | Tom Hartley 2/126 (39 overs) |
Day Highlights
Day Wrap-Up
It was a dominant display by the Indians who took a healthy lead after the first innings of the two teams. Rohit Sharma put on a dazzling display of power hitting to destroy the English bowling attack. This spell came after the heroics by Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav in the first innings. The right arm spinner has taken five wickets in the match. India ended the day with a healthy lead of 255 runs with the openers looking fluent. England’s hope of securing another victory on the Indian soil is looking bleak as Indians are desperate to seal the match as soon as possible.
