Xtra Time Web Desk: Ben Stokes led England cricket team scripted one of their most memorable victories, overcoming India by a narrow 28-run margin in the first test at Hyderabad. The heroics were led by Tom Hartley, who, in a spectacular debut performance, claimed seven wickets, sealing the win for England. The turning point came on the third afternoon when England, reeling at 163-5 in their second innings and trailing by 27, found saviors in Ollie Pope and Hartley. Pope’s sublime innings of 196 and Hartley’s crucial contributions orchestrated a remarkable turnaround.
Facing a targetFacing a target of 231, India succumbed to Hartley’s spin prowess as he dismantled four of their top five batsmen, reducing them to 119-7. Despite a resilient partnership between KS Bharat and Ravichandran Ashwin, Hartley returned to break their stand. In a nerve-wracking finale, Hartley dismissed Mohammed Siraj, stumped by Ben Foakes, securing his seven-wicket haul and England’s astonishment.
Pope, instrumental in rescuing England from a precarious situation, contributed 80 runs alongside Hartley for the eighth wicket, guiding the team to a total of 420. The final morning saw Pope departing, but England’s lead of 126 proved decisive. Hartley’s exceptional bowling performance encapsulated England’s remarkable comeback on the challenging subcontinent, leaving an indelible mark on their cricketing history.