England orchestrated a remarkable comeback in the opening Test against India at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday, propelled by outstanding performances from Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley. Despite India initially appearing to be in control with a 190-run lead, Pope’s monumental innings of 196 revived England, allowing them to post a total of 420 in their second innings and reinvigorate their chances in the contest.

With a target of 231 for victory, India’s hopes were dashed by Hartley’s impressive debut Test performance, where he claimed 7-62. The Indian team crumbled, being dismissed for 202 in an extended final session on the penultimate day of the match. Rohit Sharma’s 39 emerged as the highest individual score for an Indian batter in the second innings.

In a valiant effort to extend the match to its final day, Ravichandran Ashwin (28) and Srikar Bharat (28) combined for a partnership of 57 runs for the eighth wicket. However, their efforts fell short, and England secured a thrilling 28-run victory in a turnaround that showcased the resilience and skill of the English team.