India vs England 4th Test LIVE: Duckett, Crawley & Pope Dismantle Indian Bowling in Spectacular Day 1 Show
The fourth Test match between India and England began with an explosive start as England’s top-order trio—Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, and Ollie Pope—set the Rajkot pitch ablaze with their aggressive batting approach. The visitors, facing a tough challenge in the series, played fearlessly, dismantling India’s bowling attack and asserting their dominance on Day 1.
India’s Bowling Strategy Fails to Contain England’s Counterattack
Despite winning the toss and choosing to bowl, India’s game plan quickly fell apart as Ben Duckett took control. He launched a calculated assault on the Indian seamers early in the morning session, nullifying any swing or seam on offer. His aggressive approach caught the Indian camp off-guard and forced a major rethink.
Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, India’s pace spearheads, struggled to make early breakthroughs. The absence of early wickets allowed Duckett and Crawley to settle in and dictate the pace of the innings. Even the usually disciplined Ravichandran Ashwin couldn’t apply the brakes as boundaries kept flowing.
Ben Duckett’s Fiery Knock: A Statement of Intent
Ben Duckett was in sublime form, unleashing a barrage of strokes all around the wicket. His knock of 112 off 135 balls was a masterclass in aggressive yet controlled batting. Duckett especially targeted the spinners, stepping down the track to Ashwin and sweeping Ravindra Jadeja with authority.
What stood out was Duckett’s ability to rotate the strike seamlessly while punishing loose deliveries. His fifty came off just 49 balls, and he maintained the tempo throughout, keeping the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace.
Zak Crawley Shows Maturity in a Sensational Partnership
At the other end, Zak Crawley provided the perfect foil to Duckett. While Duckett dominated with his stroke-play, Crawley showed composure, playing close to the body and dispatching anything overpitched. His knock of 89 off 170 balls may not have matched Duckett's flair, but it was equally important in constructing a solid foundation.
Their opening stand of 173 runs is now among the highest opening partnerships by an English pair in Indian conditions. Crawley’s ability to anchor one end while Duckett attacked was crucial in neutralizing the home side’s bowling threat.
Ollie Pope Carries Momentum into Final Session
When Duckett fell to a brilliant caught-and-bowled by Ashwin just after reaching his ton, the pressure could have mounted. But Ollie Pope, known for his spin-handling prowess, continued England’s charge.
Pope played a commanding innings of 67 off 95 balls* by stumps, keeping India on the back foot. His precise footwork against Jadeja and confident shot selection against Axar Patel displayed his comfort on Indian pitches.
India’s Fielding Woes Add to the Frustration
While the Indian bowlers toiled, the fielding left much to be desired. Two dropped catches—one each of Duckett and Pope—proved costly. The fielding unit seemed lackluster and under pressure from the relentless English batting.
This lack of intensity in the field was in stark contrast to England’s high-energy approach. With momentum slipping away, India desperately needed inspiration from somewhere, but it was missing on Day 1.
Rajkot Pitch Analysis: Batting Paradise on Day One
The Rajkot pitch lived up to its reputation—flat, hard, and ideal for batting. There was little movement for the pacers, and the spinners failed to extract any alarming turn on Day 1. The bounce was true, allowing stroke makers like Duckett and Pope to play their natural game.
If conditions remain the same, the Test could be headed for a high-scoring draw unless the pitch begins to wear from Day 3. The Indian camp will be hoping for reverse swing or variable bounce to come into play soon.
England’s Bazball Approach Shines Again
Much credit must be given to the England management and head coach, Brendon McCullum. Under the “Bazball” philosophy, England's batting style has undergone a transformation, and this Test was another example of that aggression.
Rather than being daunted by subcontinental conditions, England embraced risk and reaped rewards. Their scoring rate was well over 4.5 runs per over, keeping the Indian bowlers under pressure throughout.
India’s Game Plan for Day 2: Early Wickets Crucial
With England ending Day 1 at 312/2, India must regroup. The first session of Day 2 will be pivotal. Getting rid of Pope early and breaking into the middle order is essential to claw back into the match.
The spinners will need to step up, and Axar Patel, who had a quiet day, will be expected to bowl more economically and pick up key wickets. Field placements, catching discipline, and bowling lengths all need immediate improvement.
Stats Round-Up: Records Tumble on Day One
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Highest opening partnership by England in India since 2006
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Ben Duckett’s 3rd Test century, first in India
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England scored 312 runs in 68 overs—a scoring rate of 4.58 RPO
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Only the 6th time India failed to pick up 3 wickets on Day 1 at home since 2010
What to Expect on Day 2: Can India Fight Back?
Day 2 promises to be a make-or-break moment in the Test. If England pushes the score past 500, India will be under serious scoreboard pressure. However, with their own in-form batters like Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli, the hosts still have the firepower to respond strongly.
Crucially, India needs to strike with the new ball and get into England’s lower order before lunch on Day 2. Otherwise, this could turn into a long grind for the Men in Blue.
Conclusion: England Takes the Day, But the Match is Far From Over
It was undoubtedly England’s day at Rajkot, with their top order leading a ruthless charge. But as Test cricket often reminds us, momentum can shift quickly. The Indian team, known for its resilience, will look to bounce back and restore balance in this gripping Test series.
Stay tuned for Day 2 live updates, in-depth analysis, and post-session breakdowns as the battle between two cricketing giants continues!
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