After the euphoria of an emphatic series victory against England, the first two days of the fifth and final Test in Chennai gave India a much-needed glimpse of the road ahead as the team embark on what Virat Kohli, the captain, hopes will be a decade of dominance.
It would be ridiculous to find fault with the pitch curator at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Less than four days before the Test began, Cyclone Vardah passed through Chennai, leaving behind a trail of devastation. One of the sightscreens was damaged, glass panes and windows were shattered, and the roof came off one of the new stands.
Miraculously, the pitch survived the storm. But in order to dry up the moisture and get it ready on time, the ground staff had to use metal trays laden with hot coals. It worked, but it’s created a surface with next to no encouragement for the bowlers.
Just a few days back, Ravichandran Ashwin had taken 12 for 167 in Mumbai as India won by an innings. In his only previous Test appearance on his home ground, he had figures of 12 for 198 as India thrashed Australia (2013). This, though, was a sobering experience. There was turn, but it was so slow that the batsmen had plenty of time to adjust. Those deceived by flight and the dip that makes Ashwin so dangerous could still play back to him and survive.
After having Ben Stokes caught behind off the fifth ball of the second morning, Ashwin might have hoped his luck would change. But with Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson, the debutant whose unbeaten 66 was the highest score on debut by an England No 8, adding 108 for the eighth wicket, India’s early gains were soon neutralised.
By innings end, Ashwin had unflattering figures of one for 151. Amit Mishra, the legspinner who lost his place to the now-injured Jayant Yadav earlier in the series, had one for 87. The pick of the spinners, by a distance, was Ravindra Jadeja, who dismissed Alastair Cook and the in-form Yorkshire duo of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow.
With spin not providing the breakthroughs it had earlier in the series, Kohli was forced to depend more on his pace bowlers. They didn’t let him down. Ishant Sharma, playing his first Test of the season, was magnificent – relentlessly accurate and hostile. Umesh Yadav, who has bowled significantly better than his series numbers – seven for 428 – indicate, was equally impressive, ending Moeen Ali’s 146 with a well-directed short ball and then having Rashid caught behind.
Both men allowed Kohli to give his spinners a breather or two – they may yet have big roles to play later in the match – and ensured that the run rate was kept in check. England batted for 67.2 overs on Day 2, but added only 193. In near-perfect batting conditions, it could have been much more.
On overseas tours, especially in countries like Australia (they next visit in late 2018), India will confront situations like this, with their spinners rendered ineffective. The pace bowlers then need to stifle the runs and take wickets to keep the team in contention.
On recent away tours, that has been a major problem. Kohli will hope that this sort of day, in unforgiving heat, becomes the template for tougher tasks ahead. India were outplayed but, crucially, they kept themselves in the game.
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