1st Test between India vs England ends in a draw, play abandoned on Day 5

The first Test between India and England ended in a draw after rain washed out the fifth and final day at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Sunday. At stumps on the fourth day, India needed 157 more runs to win against a potent English side. But the rain gods did not side with the visitors as the day’s play did not even start.

The Test ended with the scores reading India (278 & 52/1) and England (183 & 303). The opening Test of the five-match Test series saw Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah getting his sixth five-wicket haul in Tests and KL Rahul staving a solid English bowling attack to reach 84 in the first innings. As for England, pacer James Anderson leapfrogged Indian spinning sensation Anil Kumble to become the third-highest wicket-taker in Tests to Joe Root salvaging this match with his calculated Test ton.

As part of the new World Test Championship cycle, both India and England get four points each.

Only 250 plus overs out of a maximum 450 were possible due to the inclement weather as India, chasing a target of 209, were well-placed at 52/1 in 14 overs at the end of the fourth day.

If not for the weather, Virat Kohli and his team had a better shot at full 12 points from the match.

“We were expecting rain on days three and four but it chose to come on day five. It would have been enjoyable to play and watch, but it’s a shame. This is exactly what we wanted to do; start strong. On day five we knew we had our chances. We certainly felt like we were on top of the game. Getting that lead was crucial, but it’s a shame we couldn’t finish day five,” Virat Kohli said.

“Getting to fifty overnight was important. We just didn’t want to play for survival. Our intent kept us ahead. It’s hard work of three odd weeks for our bowlers with the bat. We were talking of a lead of 40-odd but we ended up with 95 and those runs were gold dust,” he added.

Talking about the rest of the series, the right-handed batsman said: “Most likely this will be our template in this series, but adaptability has been our strength. The conditions and the pace on the wicket needs to be seen, but this team will be our template. England and India have always been a blockbuster, and looking forward to the next Test.”