India vs England 2024 1st Test : Before the series, there was much speculation about how the aggressive English batting approach, popularly known as ‘Bazball’, would fare against quality spin bowling. England has emphatically answered that question in the first round of the series. Despite being less experienced in the spin department and dealing with Jack Leach’s injury issues, England managed to emerge victorious. Key contributions included Ben Stokes’s vital lower-order runs, Joe Root’s four-wicket haul, and Ollie Pope’s remarkable century. However, the standout performance was from debutant Tom Hartley, who, despite a challenging start against Jaiswal, impressively claimed seven wickets in an innings.
The defeat poses questions for India, whose batsmen struggled against spin, swinging between aggressive and defensive approaches. In contrast, England’s clear plan and mindset, particularly in batting, was evident. The match concludes with England leading the series 1-0, with the next encounter scheduled for Friday at Visakhapatnam.
Ollie Pope, the Player of the Match, described his innings as his best, highlighting the adjustments he made for playing in India, particularly after recovering from shoulder surgery. Ben Stokes, reflecting on his tenure as captain, rated this win as their greatest triumph, praising the team’s efforts and highlighting Pope’s and Hartley’s performances.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the exceptional batting by Pope and admitted the team’s collective failure, emphasizing the need for resilience and bravery. He remains hopeful for improvement in the upcoming matches.
Statistician Deepu Narayanan provided insights into the historical context of the match, noting it as one of the highest first-innings leads overturned for a win in India and highlighting other notable records.
Tom Hartley expressed his disbelief at his success, attributing it to the team’s supportive environment and his learnings from the first innings. Ollie Pope’s fielding also played a crucial role, taking two sharp catches off Hartley’s bowling, contributing to England’s remarkable comeback to win the Test with a day to spare. The match ended with England turning around the game dramatically, highlighting their resilience and strategic brilliance.
| Category | Record |
| Highest 1st Innings Lead Overturned to Win in India | |
| Ind vs Aus, Kolkata 2001 | Lead: 274, Result: Won by 171 runs |
| Eng vs Ind, Hyderabad 2024 | Lead: 190, Result: Won by 28 runs * |
| Ind vs Aus, Mumbai WS 2005 | Lead: 99, Result: Won by 13 runs |
| Ind vs WI, Delhi 2011 | Lead: 95, Result: Won by 5 wkts |
| Ind vs Aus, Bengaluru 2017 | Lead: 87, Result: Won by 75 runs |
| Previous highest by visiting team | 65 by Aus, Chennai CS 1964 (Won by 139 runs |
| Highest 1st Innings Lead Resulting in India’s Defeat | |
| India vs SL, Galle 2015 | Lead: 192 |
| vs Eng, Hyderabad 2024 | Lead: 190 |
| vs Eng, Birmingham 2022 | Lead: 132 |
| vs Aus, Adelaide 1992 | Lead: 80 |
| vs Aus, Sydney 2008 | Lead: 69 |
| Previous highest in India | 65 by Aus, Chennai CS 1964 (Lost by 139 runs) |
| Highest Total in India’s Home Defeat | |
| . vs Pak, Bengaluru 2005 | Total: 449 |
| vs Eng, Hyderabad 2024 | Total: 436 |
| vs Aus, Bengaluru 1998 | Total: 424 |
| vs Eng, Chennai 1985 | Total: 412 |
| vs WI, Mumbai WS 1975 | Total: 406 |
| Narrowest Test Defeats for India by Runs | |
| vs Pak, Chennai 1999 | Defeat by: 12 runs |
| vs Aus, Brisbane 1977 | Defeat by: 16 runs |
| vs Pak, Bengaluru 1987 | Defeat by: 16 runs |
| vs Eng, Hyderabad 2024 | Defeat by: 28 runs |
| 5. vs Eng, Birmingham 2018 | Defeat by: 31 runs |
Tom Hartley set a new benchmark for English spinners on their Test debut in the post-war era. With incredible figures of 7/62, Hartley achieved the best performance for an England spinner since 1945. Moreover, his total haul of nine wickets in the match is the most by an English debutant spinner since Robert Berry’s 9/116 against the West Indies in Manchester in 1950.
Just absolute scenes 😍
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 28, 2024
🇮🇳 #INDvENG 🏴 | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/qamsNLn96z
Reflecting on his debut, Hartley expressed disbelief at the achievement, noting the importance of maintaining a cool head and adapting his bowling strategy. The synergy in the England team, guided by the likes of Ben Stokes and McCullum, played a significant role in Hartley’s success. His ability to adapt to the pitch conditions, especially in the second innings, proved to be crucial.
Ollie Pope, who scored an impressive 196, also made his presence felt as a close-in fielder. His sharp fielding resulted in two crucial catches off Hartley’s bowling, dismissing Jaiswal and Gill. As the match progressed, the Indian team struggled against the disciplined attack of the England spinners. They lost quick wickets, including key players like Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja.
Despite a strong start, the Indian team found themselves in a precarious position as England’s spinners tightened their grip. The home team’s resistance was further weakened with the loss of Bharat and Ashwin, both falling to Hartley’s exceptional bowling.
In a dramatic final session, England’s strategic brilliance and Hartley’s outstanding debut performance culminated in a spectacular victory, turning the tide of the match which India had dominated for the first two days. The win in Hyderabad, achieved with a day to spare, marked a significant moment in this riveting series.
Stay tuned for more from this thrilling Test series, as England and India continue to battle it out on the cricket field.