setting india

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Former England captain Nasser Hussain has heaped praise on the Ben Stokes-led side after beating India by 28 runs in the Test series opener at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, saying that the visitors’ have shown they are a side to be messed with.

Vice-captain Ollie Pope’s magnificent 196 helped England, who had conceded 190 runs lead to India, make 420 in their second innings. Setting India a target of 231, debutant left-arm spinner Tom Hartley ran through the Indian batting order to take a sensational 7-62 and bowl out the hosts’ for 202, securing an improbable and famous come-from-behind win.

The win gives England 1-0 lead in the five-match series, which also adds to the side’s belief in their ultra-attacking Bazball theory being able to work well in Indian conditions. “Under captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, the team continue to thrill. It shows they have great self-belief. They have great belief in the way they are playing the game and do things their own way.”