India v England, 1st Test: India Player Ratings

Team India walked into the series being tagged as the favourites. Some went on to say that India might well drub England 5-0 and continue their comprehensive run. However, the team found it tough in the first Test at Rajkot. The Virat Kohli-led side leaked runs in the first innings and conceded a giant 537 on the scoreboard. Indian batsmen, Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay in particular, played exceptionally well.

Some late hitting from Ashwin saw India edge close to England’s total. Things turned worse them in the second innings when Indian spinners failed to trouble the English batsmen on a turner. India then made a mockery of their run chase in the 2nd innings. Needing 309 to win, they messed it up big time. They were in for an English scare after having lost 6 wickets. It was a gritty skipper’s knock that saved the day for India.

Here are the India player ratings for the match:

Murali Vijay – 8/10:

Murali Vijay had a good match and an impressive start to the series. Vijay looked solid throughout the game. It was the lapse in concentration that saw him edge one to the short leg in both innings. He put on 209 with Cheteshwar Pujara in the first innings as India looked in a commanding position then.

Murali Vijay went on to score a well-earned century – 126 off 301 balls. In the second innings too, he looked set at the crease. But, a sudden error saw him nick one to short leg fielder Haseeb Hameed and depart for 31 as a result. However, the kind of intent and form that he showed are good signs for Indian top order.