India vs England, Highlights, 1st Test at Chennai, Day 1, Full Cricket Score: Sibley departs in last over; Visitors 263/3 at Stumps

LBW!

A yorker from Bumrah does the trick. Sibley misses out on his century. Just lost his concentration a bit. England take the review but that’s plumb. A wicket in the final over of the day and that’s stumps. Sibley lbw b Bumrah 87(286)

After 89 overs,England 263/2 ( Dom Sibley 87 , Joe Root (C) 128)

Ashwin ends his day. Just two runs in this one. 89 done and just one over left in today’s play.

After 88 overs,England 261/2 ( Dom Sibley 86 , Joe Root (C) 127)

Bumrah continues and he bowls a maiden. The Indians players are just waiting to get done with the play. They want to start afresh again tomorrow, with a better plan to ensure England don’t post a big score. But the stage is set for the visitors to score a big one. We’ll have to see how the pitch behaves on Day 2.

After 87 overs,England 261/2 ( Dom Sibley 86 , Joe Root (C) 127)

Ashwin is back into the attack. Joe Root takes a single and gives the strike to Sibley who also takes a single to give the strike back to his skipper. Root goes for the cover-drive and it’s in the gap. Two runs for the captain. Root ends the over with a six and goes down with a cramp.

After 86 overs,England 251/2 ( Dom Sibley 85 , Joe Root (C) 118)

Any chance of Dom Sibley trying to reach the three-figure mark today? Nope. Not happening. He has made up his mind to play the remaining overs out, go back to the hotel, put his feet up, maybe enjoy a beer or two and call it a day with a smile. Just one run from Ishant’s over.

After 85 overs,England 250/2 ( Dom Sibley 85 , Joe Root (C) 117)

The commentators on TV are talking about Joe Root’s re-entry into the Fab Four category. He has started the new year on a brilliant note and now his career average is around 50. Fab Four became Fab Three and for a while, it was just Fab Two with only Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson in the bracket after Steve Smith’s suspension. Anyway, Root would be just happy that he’s having fun all over again.

After 84 overs,England 249/2 ( Dom Sibley 85 , Joe Root (C) 116)

Ishant Sharma to Sibley. Fifth-sixth stump line and there’s bounce for him but Sibley is not interested in playing the deliveries. A solid block to end the over. It’s a maiden.

After 83 overs,England 249/2 ( Dom Sibley 85 , Joe Root (C) 116)

Bumrah shares the new ball with Ishant. Root pushes the first ball through mid-wicket for two runs. After a long time, Root is beaten. In fact, twice. He shakes his head but also appreciates Bumrah. The two balls are good enough to dismiss him but not in this over.

After 82 overs,England 247/2 ( Dom Sibley 85 , Joe Root (C) 114)

Ok, India take the new ball. Swing for Ishant but the ball to Root is too wide. Both line and the length is not right from Ishant. He needs to make this new ball count. A four and a single from this over.

Whoa

Joe Root has now faced more balls in Tests in 2021 than he did in 2020, having played five fewer matches. #IndvEng

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 5, 2021

After 81 overs,England 242/2 ( Dom Sibley 85 , Joe Root (C) 109)

Ashwin continues. India decided against taking the new ball in this over. Probably they’ll take it in the next one. After a long time, we are seeing a ball turn and bounce but it not good enough to hurt England. The run-rate in the last four overs reads six. Another seven-run over.

After 80 overs,England 235/2 ( Dom Sibley 83 , Joe Root (C) 108)

Washington Sundar has bowled 12 overs today and he has conceded 55 runs. Both Sibley and Root faced no trouble when he was bowling and scored runs easily. Seven off it and we are done with 80 overs.

After 79 overs,England 228/2 ( Dom Sibley 83 , Joe Root (C) 101)

Ravichandran Ashwin is finally into the attack. Just one more over remaining before India can opt for the new ball so looks like Kohli will keep Ashwin in the spell with the new ball as well. Pant is trying his best to uplift his teammates’ spirits. The body language of the Indian players is off and we can imagine why.

Here are some mad Joe Root numbers

England players to score a century in their 100th Test:

Colin Cowdrey 
Alec Stewart 
Joe Root*

Most centuries for England against India across formats:

8 : Alastair Cook
8 : Joe Root*
7 : Kevin Pietersen

Most centuries among England batsmen in Asia in Tests/

9 : Alastair Cook
5 : Joe Root*
4 : Ken Barrington, Kevin Pietersen

After 78 overs,England 227/2 ( Dom Sibley 83 , Joe Root (C) 100)

Root brings up his century with a single to backward square-leg. What a player! His 100th Test and he celebrates it with a lovely century. This is the first innings of a four-Test series. If he continues his exceptional form then imagine what England could achieve in India. Take a bow, skip! Nine off the over.

After 77 overs,England 218/2 ( Dom Sibley 76 , Joe Root (C) 98)

Nadeem has bowled 20 overs so far for no wickets and conceding 69 runs. It has not been his day. Whatever Lasith Embuldeniya did against England in Sri Lanka, Nadeem is nowhere near it. Four off the over.

After 76 overs,England 214/2 ( Dom Sibley 72 , Joe Root (C) 98)

After a sweep to the boundary, Sibley tries to play the same shot but misses it. Bowler and fielders appeal for a LBW but umpire is not interested and Indians don’t take the review. Good decision because that one has pitched outside leg with Sundar coming round the wicket.

After 75 overs,England 209/2 ( Dom Sibley 67 , Joe Root (C) 98)

Virat Kohli keeps faith in Nadeem. Root is on strike and there’s a late cut to the boundary and a few blocks but no sweep shots. The England skipper is just two short of the three-figure mark. New ball is due in five overs.

After 74 overs,England 205/2 ( Dom Sibley 67 , Joe Root (C) 94)

Washington comes round the wicket to Sibley. The batsman tries to replicate his captain with a sweep shot but the leg slip is there to stop the ball. After a single, Root takes strikes and he hits it with the spin past mid-wicket for a four. the captain is now just six short of a terrific century. England also cross the 200-run mark.

After 73 overs,England 199/2 ( Dom Sibley 66 , Joe Root (C) 89)

Ok no rest for Nadeem. He continues his spell. Kohli, Ashwin and the bowler involved in an animated talk before the over, most of it is related to field settings on the leg-side. But it doesn’t matter as Root plays a switch-hit through third-man for a boundary. Now that shot is aggression mixed with banter. Played, skip! Another no-ball from Nadeem so one more ball is left. Root calls for a single and then says no. The throw is off target and the ball races to the ropes. More frustration for India.

After 72 overs,England 188/2 ( Dom Sibley 65 , Joe Root (C) 80)

Washington bowls three balls over the wicket. Virat is not happy so he indicated the spinner to come round the wicket to Sibley. But the batsman finds gap in the leg-side and gives the strike back to Root. Another single to end the over.

After 71 overs,England 185/2 ( Dom Sibley 64 , Joe Root (C) 78)

Short and wide from Nadeem to Root but the skipper doesn’t make it count. Root then goes for a weird slog sweep, the ball is in the air but falls in no man’s land near mid-wicket. He make amends with a brilliant sweep in the fourth ball. Crunched it though deep mid-wicket. Seven off the over and it’s time for Nadeem to take rest.

After 70 overs,England 178/2 ( Dom Sibley 64 , Joe Root (C) 71)

Root uses his feet to Sundar, pushes the ball on the off-side and takes a quick single. Tight line from Washington to Sibley but the batsman is happy with his blocks.

After 69 overs,England 177/2 ( Dom Sibley 64 , Joe Root (C) 70)

Sibley comes down the track to Nadeem’s tossed up delivery. He plays the drive but it is straight to the fielder. This is much better line from the spinner, bringing the short cover and short point into the game. The batsman is trying to break free but couldn’t find the runs in this over. A maiden.

After 68 overs,England 177/2 ( Dom Sibley 64 , Joe Root (C) 70)

Washington Sundar now has the ball and he starts off with a bad one. Easy pickings for Root who enjoys playing sweep shots like a child enjoys eating candies. Another sweep from the England skipper for two more runs. Six off the over. Kohli looks frustrated with Nadeem’s fielding effort at fine-leg. Rahane would never show these emotions on the field. Not saying what Kohli does is wrong.

After 67 overs,England 171/2 ( Dom Sibley 64 , Joe Root (C) 64)

Nadeem continues. Root brings out his sweep again for one run. So now, there’s a short point and a short cover for Sibley but then the line is on the stumps so he’s never going to drive. Four dots to end the over.

After 66 overs,England 170/2 ( Dom Sibley 64 , Joe Root (C) 63)

Bumrah to Root and it’s his trademark limited-overs yorker. Root brings his bat down just in the nick of the time. He follows it up with a short ball, Root pulls it in front of square for a double. Two dots and a single to end the over.

After 65 overs,England 167/2 ( Dom Sibley 64 , Joe Root (C) 60)

Sibley and Root’s partnership is now worth more than 100 runs. There were hardly any bad shots in this stand and now both batsmen can make big scores. Could prove to be massive. As cliched as it sounds, India need to break this partnership.

After 64 overs,England 163/2 ( Dom Sibley 60 , Joe Root (C) 60)

Bumrah is back. The first ball is fuller, wide of off stump, Root is not interested to play a shot. Good-looking cut from the skipper but pity it is straight to the fielder. There’s no stopping the shot in the next ball, a glorious push through covers for a four. Everything is perfect with the hit. Four off the over.

After 63 overs,England 159/2 ( Dom Sibley 60 , Joe Root (C) 56)

Dom Sibley has now faced more than 200 deliveries for his 60 but it won’t bother him one bit. Pretty sure Che Pujara would be very impressed with Sibley’s knock. There’s a mild appeal for a stumping/caught behind but it’s nothing. Maiden over from Nadeem.

After 62 overs,England 159/2 ( Dom Sibley 60 , Joe Root (C) 56)

Ishant with the ball. The reverse swing is there but the line is too wide. Slightly below the pace as well so it’s not really threatening for the batsman. A single off the final ball.

After 61 overs,England 157/2 ( Dom Sibley 59 , Joe Root (C) 55)

Nadeem continues. He is playing only his second Test so it’s a tad bit unfair to be highly critical of him but it didn’t go right for him so far. Not getting wickets is one thing but batsmen scored runs easily in his overs. He needs to be more consistent with his line and length. Plenty of work to do.

After 60 overs,England 153/2 ( Dom Sibley 55 , Joe Root (C) 55)

Ishant goes short to Root. The England skipper shows intent to pull but it’s too high so he lets it go. The pull does come out in the next delivery, plays it really well to the left of fine-leg fielder for two runs. Ishant does well in the next one, the ball holds its line to beat the batsman. Root then punches off the backfoot as the ball finds the gap for two more runs. A single, a double and a no-ball in this over.

After 59 overs,England 147/2 ( Dom Sibley 54 , Joe Root (C) 51)

Shahbaz Nadeem bowls the second over post tea. Root straightaway looks for scoring opportunities, going on the backfoot for a punch but it is straight to the fielder. He gets a single after pulling a short ball to the deep square leg fielder. Sibley also takes an easy single after pushing the ball to mid-wicket. Root completes his half-century with a boundary through backward point. So far, so good from the skipper.

After 58 overs,England 141/2 ( Dom Sibley 53 , Joe Root (C) 46)

Ishant starts off with a wide, short of a length delivery. Root meddles with it and gets an under edge as the ball bounced before the keeper. Now, Ishant finds an outside edge, proper ball from the pacer to Root but it doesn’t carry to the keeper. Just short of diving Pant. A single off the fifth ball for Root.

After 57 overs,England 140/2 ( Dom Sibley 53 , Joe Root (C) 45)

That’s Tea on Day 1. 

The session belongs to England surely. India unable to pick any wicket in the over. Root and Sibley stand firm with Kohli and Co having a lot to think about during the tea break. We will see you on the other side of the tea in 20 minutes.

After 56 overs,England 139/2 ( Dom Sibley 53 , Joe Root (C) 44)

Ishant returns to the attack. The fifth ball of the over cut Sibley into two halves. Shaped in from the same area it has been going straight. Sibley was surprised by its movement and had to further pull his bat back. Another front foot no-ball and this time for Ishant. Ninth today. Bharat Arun is watching.

After 55 overs,England 138/2 ( Dom Sibley 53 , Joe Root (C) 44)

Ashwin continues. He has been so good today that it is very difficult to spot the bad deliveries, they have been very few. Two however came in this over, short balls, put away for boundaries by England captain on both sides of the wicket.

After 54 overs,England 129/2 ( Dom Sibley 52 , Joe Root (C) 36)

Bumrah continues. He is making the ball talk but Sibley is watchful. The one tailing in is the most threatening one. Two off the over with Sibley collecting a quick single off the last ball.

After 53 overs,England 127/2 ( Dom Sibley 51 , Joe Root (C) 35)

Ashwin continues and bowls well. Keeps asking question to Sibley throughout the over. The batsman kept coming forward to play Ashwin. One off the over.

After 52 overs,England 126/2 ( Dom Sibley 51 , Joe Root (C) 34)

India have nowled eight no balls in the game so far. Bumrah with one fault again. Two wicket taking deliveries to Sibley as well, one a leg cutter, took the edge and went to Rohit on one bounce at wide first slip. Second, a screaming yorker evaded just in time by Sibley.

After 51 overs,England 124/2 ( Dom Sibley 51 , Joe Root (C) 33)

Ashwin returns to the attack and it was about time seeing how Sundar was bowling. Sibley has started his India tour with a fine fifty. He is looking set for a big one and India dependent on Ashwin and Bumrah to break this stand.

After 50 overs,England 122/2 ( Dom Sibley 49 , Joe Root (C) 33)

Bumrah returns to the attack. Mixed his line, bowled outside off and tailed it back in at times. Sibley with a tickle to fine leg collected one to move to 49. Just 2 off the over.

Joe Root batting average against India in Tests:

Home : 59.78
Away : 55.45

After 49 overs,England 120/2 ( Dom Sibley 48 , Joe Root (C) 32)

Sundar almost had Root out of the blue. Bounce on the ball, Root was pushed on back foot, played on the on side, and the inside edge almost reached Kohli at leg slip. One off the over.

After 48 overs,England 119/2 ( Dom Sibley 48 , Joe Root (C) 31)

Root collects one more boundary in the over. He has not only looked solid in the middle but has also scored runs. Two boundaries in the over with Sibley hitting one on the last ball of the over. Seven front foot no balls from India today so far. 10 off the over.

After 47 overs,England 109/2 ( Dom Sibley 44 , Joe Root (C) 26)

Sibley moves to 44 off 150 deliveries. He has done the hard yards on this pitch. Now getting poor deliveries and he is making sure to collect the boundaries. One boundary in the over. Surely India need to take off Sundar.

After 46 overs,England 104/2 ( Dom Sibley 40 , Joe Root (C) 25)

Better from Nadeem. One off the first ball with Root punching him on off side off the back foot. A mix up seems to be on the card as both batters have had issues with calling. Sibley defended in remaning part of the over. Just 1 off it.

After 45 overs,England 103/2 ( Dom Sibley 40 , Joe Root (C) 24)

Sundar has been drfiting on the leg stump line consistently. And Root and Sibley have looked at ease against him. Feel Nadeem and Sundar cannot bowl in tandem. There needs to be one experienced bowler from one end.

After 44 overs,England 100/2 ( Dom Sibley 39 , Joe Root (C) 22)

Freebies for Sibley and Root from Nadeem and Sundar who are showing their inexperience. England continue to collect one boundary per over.

After 43 overs,England 96/2 ( Dom Sibley 35 , Joe Root (C) 22)

Root is looking to score against the weaker bowler and Sundar is one. He is bowling fuller and on leg stump, Root reverse swept him on one occasion for four runs. Just four off the over.

After 42 overs,England 92/2 ( Dom Sibley 35 , Joe Root (C) 18)

Nadeem continues after the drinks break. Just 1 off the over. Root with a top shot to collect a single at third man. Just that run scoring shot in the over.

After 41 overs,England 91/2 ( Dom Sibley 35 , Joe Root (C) 17)

Root with the shot of the day against Sundar who is into his first over of the day. Slightly full and Root leaned into his cover drive. Class written all over that shot. Drinks taken after this over.

After 40 overs,England 86/2 ( Dom Sibley 35 , Joe Root (C) 12)

Ishant Sharma who was beginning to look good has been removed and Nadeem replaces him. He keeps it tight against Root, who was watchful before hitting one to off side and taking a quick single.

After 39 overs,England 85/2 ( Dom Sibley 35 , Joe Root (C) 11)

Sibley hits Ashwin for a boundary at the start of the over to release some pressure off him. He is taking big strides and looking to play with the straight bat.

After 38 overs,England 81/2 ( Dom Sibley 31 , Joe Root (C) 11)

Interesting. Root edges one to Rohit in slips and it falls little short of him. Rohit goes a little wide and then steps two steps further with a helmet on as it can come very quickly. Root felt a little discomfot in his legs during the over. Hopefully, there is nothing major.

After 37 overs,England 81/2 ( Dom Sibley 31 , Joe Root (C) 11)

Ashwin continues to attack the middle and off stump from round the wicket to Sibley. Goes over the wicket to make Sibley change his guard. He is doing all sorts of things to unsettle the batsman. Sibley looked to use his feet to play him on the last ball, almost looped it in air to mid-wicket.

After 36 overs,England 81/2 ( Dom Sibley 31 , Joe Root (C) 11)

Ishant continues. He is two short of completing 100 wickets on home soil. The fifth ball hits Root high on the pads, was going down leg and despite the huge appeal, umpire Menon turned it down. India did not take the review.

After 35 overs,England 79/2 ( Dom Sibley 30 , Joe Root (C) 11)

Alright, what a ball. Ashwin from round the wicket to Sibley, on middle and leg, Sibley plays for the off spin but it spuns away. Batsmen beaten all ends up. Sibley is gritty too, more watchful, leans ahead and defends next few balls before dancing out and flicking him for a single to long leg.

After 34 overs,England 78/2 ( Dom Sibley 29 , Joe Root (C) 11)

Ishant returns to the attack. Only five over for him in the morning before he was taken off. Middle and off is the line. Short of length. Consistently hit the same areas. Just Ishant things.

After 33 overs,England 77/2 ( Dom Sibley 28 , Joe Root (C) 11)

Variations from Ashwin. Second ball straightens after pitching outside off and Root was in two minds to play it, pushed at it before pulling out last second. Next ball, he danced out, wanted to play on the leg side but the leading edge took the ball to mid off. Good fight is on right now between Ashwin and Root.

After 32 overs,England 77/2 ( Dom Sibley 28 , Joe Root (C) 11)

Root using his wrists to good effect against Bumrah. Anything on leg stump line is flicked for runs. He is perfectly balanced playing these shots. He is looking good for England.

After 31 overs,England 72/2 ( Dom Sibley 28 , Joe Root (C) 6)

Ashwin continues. Sibley comfortably flicks second ball to mid-wicket for a double. He has looked solid today among all batters, reaching out to the pitch of the ball, leaning ahead and playing spin superbly.

After 30 overs,England 70/2 ( Dom Sibley 26 , Joe Root (C) 6)

Bumrah continues. He is trying hard, the last ball of the over, a wide, banged hard on the pitch, was too high and wide down leg though. Had overstepped as well. Two no balls from the India pacer so far.

After 29 overs,England 69/2 ( Dom Sibley 26 , Joe Root (C) 6)

Ashwin into the attack. Slow in air and outside off to Root, who is using his feet well to play him. One tossed up ball, driven on off side for a single. Sibley with two solid defences finishes the over.

After 28 overs,England 68/2 ( Dom Sibley 26 , Joe Root (C) 5)

Strong leg side field for Bumrah as he is looking to reverse. Root was very watchful and played cautiously. Bumrah went a little too further outside off and Root tapped to the cover point for a single.

Second session begins!

Sibley and Root are out in the middle to resume England innings. They are 67/2. Bumrah will bowl the first over after lunch.

After 27 overs,England 67/2 ( Dom Sibley 26 , Joe Root (C) 4)

Ashwin to Root. He tosses it up and the ball drifts away a bit, gets a leading edge but there’s no fielder there. Root goes for the quick single after pushing it to the leg-side. The throw is a good one and the Indians think it’s a run-out but replays show Root has safely made it. And that’s lunch.

After 26 overs,England 64/2 ( Dom Sibley 26 , Joe Root (C) 1)

Brilliant from Kohli to bring in Bumrah against Dan Lawrence who lacks experience at the international stage. The pacer bowls an absolute ripper, a hint of reverse swing in that delivery to remove the batsman. Burns with a bad shot and now Lawrence is back in the dugout thanks to a terrific ball. Skipper Joe Root is the new batsman in the middle.

LBW!

Bumrah strikes with the wicket of Dan Lawrence. Angling in and traps the batsman in front of the wickets. England don’t take the review and they are probably right. That looks plumb. Daniel Lawrence lbw b Bumrah 0(5)

After 25 overs,England 63/1 ( Dom Sibley 26 , Dan Lawrence 0)

Dan Lawrence is the man in. Sibley is facing Nadeem and this is a much better over from the spinner. The length is perfect but Sibley is playing with soft hands, cancelling any chances for edges. It’s a maiden.

Nobody saw that shot coming

Burns is also the first batsman to get out reverse sweeping Ashwin in a Test since Milinda Pushpakumara in 2017. #IndvEng https://t.co/OlkvCXRl3B

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 5, 2021

After 24 overs,England 63/1 ( Dom Sibley 26 , Dan Lawrence 0)

Rory Burns throws his wicket away. Such a good start from the openers and they should’ve gone to lunch without losing a wicket. Burns tries something creative but it ends up in his dismissal. Ashwin has been ordinary this morning but he’ll gladly take this wicket.

After 23 overs,England 59/0 ( Rory Burns 29 , Dom Sibley 26)

Nadeem is getting the ball to drift but Sibley is playing with confidence. The left-arm spinner bowls two no balls in the over so just two from this one.

After 22 overs,England 57/0 ( Rory Burns 29 , Dom Sibley 26)

Ashwin to Sibley, the batsman hits the ball through leg-slip, it’s in the air but there’s no fielder there. Burns went for the sweep against Ashwin but it’s a risky shot. Could’ve been easily trapped in front of the wickets or missed his hit but he gets a boundary. Five runs from this over.

After 21 overs,England 52/0 ( Rory Burns 25 , Dom Sibley 25)

Nadeem to Sibley. There are two fielders at short cover position. Skipper Kohli is hoping that Sibley takes the invitation to hit the ball through extra cover but the batsman is not looking for the drives. He’s happy with the blocks and collecting runs on the leg-side. One run from this over.

After 20 overs,England 51/0 ( Rory Burns 25 , Dom Sibley 24)

Burns comes down the track to Ashwin but hits it straight to the fielder at mid-wicket. In the next ball, he collects two after flicking it to backward square leg. And that’s 50-run partnership between the openers. They have shown patience and ensured they get good start. Two from this over.

After 19 overs,England 49/0 ( Rory Burns 23 , Dom Sibley 24)

Nadeem continues. Burns takes a single off the first ball. Sibley had his trouble playing left-arm spin against Lasith Embuldeniya in Sri Lanka. But here in Chennai, he’s looking much better against Nadeem. He has been the better batsman in this session.

After 18 overs,England 48/0 ( Rory Burns 22 , Dom Sibley 24)

Another cut shot, this time by Burns against Ashwin. The ball is in the gap behind the wicket-keeper and the batsman collects three runs. Ashwin bowls fuller, a bit quicker to Sibley and does well. Three from this over.

Great start for England 

England have already scored more runs in this Test than they managed in all their opening partnerships combined against Sri Lanka. #IndvEng

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 5, 2021

After 17 overs,England 45/0 ( Rory Burns 19 , Dom Sibley 24)

Shahbaz Nadeem is introduced into the attack. Burns comes up with his sweep and finds the gap. Washington Sundar runs hard and does well near the boundary rope. Three runs for the batsman. Nadeem to Sibley, inside edge but the batsman is safe. Ordinary final ball and Sibley punishes it with a cut to the boundary.

After 16 overs,England 38/0 ( Rory Burns 16 , Dom Sibley 20)

Ashwin to Burns. The batsman comes down the track and pushes it towards mid-on, Nadeem fires a direct hit but Burns had made it in. No runs from rest of the deliveries. Much better over from India’s best spinner.

After 15 overs,England 37/0 ( Rory Burns 15 , Dom Sibley 20)

Bumrah goes around the wicket to Burns. He’s got the ball to bounce a bit higher in this over but should’ve been better with his line. After two singles, Bumrah bowls his trademark yorker, almost gets it right as Burns brings his bat in the way for a single. It’s also a no-ball so the pacer gets another chance. The ball to Sibley is a ripper as it beats the batsman after pitching in the fifth stump line.

After 14 overs,England 33/0 ( Rory Burns 13 , Dom Sibley 19)

Still early but Sibley is playing Ashwin really well. He’s moving nicely and being decisive with his shots. Not much turn or bounce for Ashwin yet so the batsmen are finding it easy at the moment. A boundary from this over.

After 13 overs,England 29/0 ( Rory Burns 13 , Dom Sibley 15)

Bumrah to Sibley, bowls a straight one. The batsman collect a single after a misfield from the mid-wicket fielder. The pacer goes over the wicket to left-handed Burns with a slip and a gully in place. Three singles from this over. Thirteen overs done and still no wicket for India.

After 12 overs,England 26/0 ( Rory Burns 12 , Dom Sibley 13)

Ashwin continues. Good bowling as he’s tossing the ball up, looking for those edges. Almost got better off the batsman as Sibley finds an outside edge trying to push it towards leg side but it’s not a catching chance. Just one from the over. Time for drinks.

After 11 overs,England 25/0 ( Rory Burns 12 , Dom Sibley 12)

Bumrah is back. Sibley gets an edge but he plays it with soft hands and the ball doesn’t carry to the second slip. One run for the batsman. Burns wanted a quick single but Sibley sends him back, it’s a good call as Nadeem picks it up nicely but it results in an overthrow so they take a single. Nadeem saves a run after Sibley flicks towards deep square leg. He steps on the ball to stop it after running from fine-leg. Fortunate that the effort didn’t end up hurting his ankle. Two singles and a triple from this over.

After 10 overs,England 20/0 ( Rory Burns 11 , Dom Sibley 8)

Ashwin drifts down the leg in the second ball, Burns pushes it towards square leg and runs two. The spinner does well in the remaining deliveries. Drawing the batsman forward and then extracting bit of bounce as well. Just two from the over.

After 9 overs,England 18/0 ( Rory Burns 9 , Dom Sibley 8)

Ishant continues. He still wants a fielder at short mid-wicket hoping Sibley hits a shot in the air. Tries a bouncer in the fourth ball, the batsman ducks comfortably. Sibley flicks the next ball to fine-leg region for a single. Quick single off the final ball after a little hesitation from both the batsmen. So far, the pitch has offered nothing for the pacers.

After 8 overs,England 16/0 ( Rory Burns 8 , Dom Sibley 7)

Ok, so Ravichandran Ashwin comes to bowl after just seven overs. Starts off around the wicket to Burns, and straight away gets an inside edge that rolls to backward square leg for a single. Sibley shows intent against Ashwin, going on the backfoot for the scoring opportunities. A four and single for him. Six runs off the over.

After 7 overs,England 10/0 ( Rory Burns 7 , Dom Sibley 2)

Ishant continues. Sibley goes for the shot but the ball is straight to the fielder at short mid-wicket after taking a bounce. Steady start from both the openers. Not many ball have beaten the bat. We’ll have to see how long it will take for Kohli to bring in a spinner. Another maiden.

After 6 overs,England 10/0 ( Rory Burns 7 , Dom Sibley 2)

Bumrah to Burns, the second ball is a good bouncer as the batsman ducks to let it go. The pacer tries a fast yorker but it ends up being a low full-toss. Burns sees opportunity to score runs but couldn’t time his shot. This one is a maiden.

After 5 overs,England 10/0 ( Rory Burns 7 , Dom Sibley 2)

Ishant to Sibley. Solid block in the first ball. So Kohli and Ishant decide to keep a short mid-on to Sibley, which means the pacer will target the pads in this over. The same fielder moves to short mid-wicket position for the final two balls. A beauty to end the over. Ishant pitches the ball up, Sibley goes for the block but is beaten.

Well!

To all those reporters suggesting Chennai pitch will have lots of grass based on viewing 2/3 days before the game, here’s the thing....curators leave extra grass on the pitch to ensure the sun does not dry it out too much before shaving it off just before match starts. Got it? 😊

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 5, 2021

Some stat this!

Jasprit Bumrah’s 17 caps before his home debut not a patch on Azhar Ali (75) ... but outside of the Pakistan players who made debuts during their team’s 10-year exile, is a joint record with Daren Ganga of West Indies

— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) February 5, 2021

After 4 overs,England 9/0 ( Rory Burns 7 , Dom Sibley 2)

Bumrah to Sibley, and another quick single from the batsman. Bumrah targets Burns’ pads, but the southpaw is watching the ball well. He collects two more runs after a flick through backward square leg. Three dots to end the over.

After 3 overs,England 6/0 ( Rory Burns 5 , Dom Sibley 1)

Ishant sticks bowling to around the wicket to Burns. Good line in the first two balls but the third one is on the pads. Burns pushes it to the mid-wicket region and collects three runs. Sibley is off the mark with a quick single in the final ball of the over.

England openers’ averages in Asia in Tests:

Dom Sibley : 20.66
Rory Burns : 26.66

After 2 overs,England 2/0 ( Rory Burns 2 , Dom Sibley 0)

Bumrah’s first over in a home Test match. The first one is down the leg, Burns flicks and is that a catching chance for Pant? Yes it is as Pant dives to his right but couldn’t hold on to the catch. Tough chance. Bumrah bowls his inswingers to Sibley who is watchful. Just a run from this over.

After 1 overs,England 1/0 ( Rory Burns 1 , Dom Sibley 0)

Ishant starts off around the wicket to Burns, bowls full and on the fourth stump line. Burns with a solid defence. The next ball drifts down the leg, Burns flicks it to the fine-leg fielder and he’s off the mark. The third ball is full, wide outside off, Sibley lets it go. Three more dots to end the first over.

Key numbers and little bit of Chennai history

This is the first Test for Jasprit Bumrah at home. He has played 17 away Tests till now.

India have won each of their last seven Test matches at home.

India have not lost any of the eight Test matches that they played at Chennai since the start of this century.

Youngest players to play the 100th Test:

28y 353d : Alastair Cook
29y 134d : Sachin Tendulkar 
30y 37d : Joe Root

Milestone for Root!

An incredible achievement! Congratulations on 💯 caps, @root66 👏

Live Scorecard: https://t.co/dvSneIBYg7#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/33HRG29szx

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 5, 2021

Virat Kohli at the toss

“Would have batted first as well. It was an amazing phase for us, having a child is an amazing feeling and combined with the way the team played in Australia. We are not thinking about the Test championship at the moment, just take one game at a time.”

Playing XI

England: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Dominic Bess, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, James Anderson

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Shabaz Nadeem.

TOSS UPDATE

Joe Root wins the toss and chooses to bat first.

Pant to keep wickets

🗣️ "Rishabh Pant will take the gloves tomorrow."#TeamIndia skipper @imVkohli on @rishabhpant17's impact in the recently concluded Australia series and taking care of wicketkeeping duties in the first @Paytm #INDvENG Test at Chepauk. pic.twitter.com/bbY9hhsb6O

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 4, 2021

Virat Kohli says becoming a father is ‘greatest moment of life’

India skipper Virat Kohli called the triumph in Australia the most special series win for his team, but he did not mind missing it for the birth of his child, the “greatest moment” of his life.

Bad news for India as Axar Patel has been ruled out of the first Test. 

The BCCI Press release reads as following:

“Axar Patel has been ruled out of the first Paytm Test against England to be played in Chennai from Friday. The all-rounder complained of pain in his left knee during Team India’s optional training session on Thursday. He is being monitored by the BCCI Medical Team and while his detailed reports are awaited, he will not be available for selection for the opening match.

The All-India Senior Selection Committee has added spinners Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar to India’s squad. Both Nadeem and Chahar have been training with Team India as part of the standby group of players.”

In the latest episode of Yorked, Firstpost’s cricket podcast, we caught up with former England cricketer Monty Panesar as India and England are set to renew their rivalry with a four-match Test series, starting on 5 February at Chennai.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Who has scored the most Test runs for England in India?

Who has taken most number of wickets for India vs England in Tests at home?

Test your knowledge of IND v ENG on the eve of the first Test.

Click here to play the quiz.

The 100th Test is always special for any player. On 5 February, England captain Joe Root will play his landmark Test on Indian soil amid the pandemic. He will become the 15th England player to achieve the milestone. He is an active member of the famous quartet in world cricket which includes Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root himself.

And as he awaits his 100th Test against India at Chennai, let’s look at a few of the pathbreaking stats of Root’s 99 Test career.

Click here to read the stat piece.

England opener Zak Crawley was on Thursday ruled out of the first two Test matches against India after sustaining a freak wrist injury on his 23rd birthday.

Read the report here.

The upcoming India-England Test series, which begins from 5 February in Chennai, has many narratives running around it: race for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s; Virat Kohli’s comeback; and an opportunity for the hosts to extend their unbeaten home record. But nothing comes closer to the emotional value which international cricket’s return to Indian soil brings.

Read the series preview by Ujwal Singh here.

Hello and welcome to the LIVE coverage of Day 1 of the first Test between India and England at Chennai. 

After a memorable series victory against Australia, Team India are back in red ball cricket, this time at their home against Joe Root and Co. The Test series also brings cricket back to India after a prolonged gap due to the COVID-19 pandemic. India start as favourites but England also have form on their side, as they showed it in the recent series victory in Sri Lanka.

It will be interesting to see the playing XI of the hosts and also the nature of MA Chidambaram pitch.  

Stay tuned as we bring all the updates from Day 1.