Openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided India with a brisk start, after India dismissed England for (218) on day one of the ongoing fifth and final Test match in Dharamshala on Thursday. Both players made the mockery of England’s paltry of (218) that they could post with the help of Zak Crawley’s 79-run score. 

Rohit and Jaiswal accelerated the innings from the very start, taking on England bowlers and battering them for boundaries. However, just ahead of the stumps on day one, Shoaib Bashir handed England a crucial breakthrough, sending Yashasvi Jaiswal who scored (57) off (58). Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma brought up his half-century.

Kuldeep Yadav and Ravichandaran Ashwin wrecked havoc in England’s batting department with their five and four wickets respectively. England, being at 137/3 in 37th over, went on to lose their wickets in a quick succession, to slump to (218) in 56th over. 

England’s struggle against India’s boisterous spinners continued as their batting couldn’t even last a day. Kuldeep Yadav made major breakthrough, one of which also involved skipper Ben Stokes’ wickets after he was gone for a duck. R Ashwin’s 100th Test appearance turned out to be amazingly beautiful with his unerring spell, collective four scalps. At the close of day one, on Thursday, India were 135/1 with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill unbeaten on (52) and (26) respectively.

Earlier, England decided to bat after winning the toss as they look to have an inspiring ending to the five-match series. Indian veteran Ravichandran Ashwin and England’s Jonny Bairstow are making their 100th Test appearances. 

For the fifth match, India made changes with Devdutt Padikkal making his debut and Jasprit Bumrah returning for fifth Test after being rested for the fourth Test. India brought in Padikkal in place of Rajat Patidar.