Dharamshala — England somehow took six India wickets on a bizarre opening day of the decisive fifth Test, a day marred by a shoulder injury to Chris Woakes that left the tourists scrambling for answers.
A Day of Twists and Turns
The picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala witnessed a rollercoaster of a day as England, despite being bowled out for 218 in their first innings, fought back to reduce India to 135/6 at stumps. "It was one of those days where the game kept swinging like a pendulum," said England captain Ben Stokes.
The day began with England’s batting collapse, losing their last five wickets for just 20 runs. James Anderson’s early strikes then put India on the back foot before a resilient partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill steadied the hosts.
Woakes' Injury Casts a Shadow
The biggest concern for England, however, was the injury to Chris Woakes, who landed awkwardly on his shoulder while fielding. "It’s a huge blow. Woakes has been one of our most consistent performers this series," admitted Stokes.
Medical scans confirmed a suspected AC joint injury, leaving England with a depleted bowling attack. With Jack Leach already ruled out of the series, the tourists now face an uphill battle to contain India’s batting lineup.
England’s Fightback
Despite the setbacks, England’s bowlers showed remarkable resilience. Anderson and Mark Wood struck early, while Shoaib Bashir’s spin accounted for key wickets, including that of Rohit Sharma.
- James Anderson – 2/30 in 12 overs
- Shoaib Bashir – 2/43 in 15 overs
- Mark Wood – 1/28 in 10 overs
India’s middle order faltered under pressure, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan falling cheaply. "We let it slip after a solid start," admitted Rohit Sharma at the close of play.
What Lies Ahead
With India still trailing by 83 runs, the match hangs in the balance. England will hope to wrap up the tail quickly, while India will rely on Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel to narrow the deficit.
The absence of Woakes, however, could prove decisive. "Losing a bowler of his quality on a pitch that’s offering assistance is a massive setback," said former England captain Michael Vaughan.
Conclusion
A bizarre day of Test cricket ended with both teams having reasons to be frustrated and hopeful. England’s fightback with the ball kept them in the game, but Woakes’ injury leaves them vulnerable.
As the series hangs in the balance, Day 2 promises more drama. "This Test is far from over," said Stokes, summing up the unpredictable nature of the contest.