Published 17:35 IST, February 9th 2021
Harsha Bhogle confident of India staging a comeback despite bitter defeat in 1st Test
Harsha Bhogle has said that there is nothing to panic about for Team India after their humiliating 227-run loss against England in the 1st Test in Chennai
Veteran commentator-cum cricket expert Harsha Bhogles has said that the Indian team need not press the panic button after tasting bitter defeat at the hands of a spirited England team in the first Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Despite a huge loss, Bhogle highlighted the positives for India from the series-opener.
'Nothing to panic yet': Harsha Bhogle
Taking to the micro-blogging site, the 'Voice of Indian Cricket' wrote that the hosts had a few positives from this Test match that included skipper Virat Kohli's fighting 72 in the second innings, veteran offie Ravichandran Ashwin's form with the ball in hand (9 wickets in two innings including a fifer in the second), and, youngster Shubman Gill who bats like he is breezing through a simple maths test (scored a blistering 50 in the second innings).
At the same time, the versatile cricket pundit also heaped praise of number three batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, and, wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant (for scoring 73 & 91 in the first innings), and the composure of Washington Sundar (for his unbeaten 85 in the first innings).
The 59-year-old concluded by saying that India needs a bit more from the second spinner but there is nothing to panic about yet.
England draw first blood
India were comprehensively beaten by 227 runs by England in the first of the four-match Test series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday after they were bundled out for a paltry 192 chasing a mammoth target of 420 as skipper Virat Kohli top-scored for the hosts with 72.
England had everything going their way right from the toss to the end of the match. After opting to bat first, England posted a mammoth 578 riding on the back of a sensational double ton by Joe Root. In response, India were bowled out for 337, thus conceding a massive 241-run lead.
Joe Root & Co. decided against enforcing follow-on as they scored 178 and set India a target of 420. The Virat Kohli-led side was never really in the chase as they kept losing wickets regularly and were eventually dismissed for 192, thus handing the visitors a comprehensive win.
Updated 17:35 IST, February 9th 2021