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Key takeaways from India-England 1st Test
Alastair Cook slammed his 6 Test century against India and fifth on Indian soil. Cook also became the fourth visiting batsman to have scored 1000-plus runs on Indian soil.
The left-handed opener, who became the sixth century maker in the Test and fourth from his side, made 130 from 243 balls from which he struck 13 fours. His century brought England closer to winning the match but a late declaration, perhaps, dampened the hosts' chances of winning the match.
Key takeaways from India-England 1st Test
Before start of the series India's frontline bowler Ravichandran Ashwin was termed as a potent threat, but the way English batsmen dealt with the number one Test bowler at Rajkot was commendable.
Ashwin was on a wicket-taking spree during Test series against New Zealand but the tall Chennai bowler could only manage just 3 wickets in the entire Test match and leaked 230 runs, a sight which is rarely seen on Indian conditions.
Ashwin conceded 167 in 1st innings and 63 in the 2nd - which is the most he has leaked in a home Test.
Key talking points from Rajkot Test
England leg spinner Adil Rashid emerged as the best spinner in the Test match. He claimed 7 wickets in the match and conceded 178 runs.
Overall, England slow bowlers bowled better than their Indian counterparts. At an average of 33.30, England spinner took 13 wickets compared to 9 wickets taken by Indian spinners' at 57.88.
Rashid's performance in the second innings was lauded by the experts for pushing Indians to the back foot with his quality spin.
Key takeaways from India-England 1st Test
England's debutant Haseeb Hameed scored 82 in the second innings of his debut Test match as he broke a 110-year-old record, against India, on the 5th and final day.
The 19-year-old Hameed, whose forefathers were Indians, has now made the highest score by a England teenager in Tests. The previous best was 74 by Jack Crawford, against South Africa, in 1906.
Hameed impressed all with his sound technique against spin and is now seen as a long term prospect for England in Tests.
Key takeaways from India-England Rajkot Test
All rounder Ben Stokes slammed an important ton in the first innings as England piled up mammoth 537 against India and take psychological advantage. Stokes who made an attacking 128, batted right down the order to post the massive total before being all out.
The New Zealand-born cricketer is be going to be potent threat to Indian bowlers in the forthcoming matches and his quality of playing big shots will pose an extra pressure over hosts for this English side virtually has no tail-enders.
Key takeaways from Rajkot Test
India's captain Virat Kohli was dismissed in a bizarre fashion during the 4th day's play of the 1st Test. Kohli (40) was out hit-wicket to leg-spinner Adil Rashid to join a list of 21 other Indian batsmen who ended their innings in this way. His dismissal was major talking point of the game.
But, the skipper played a fighting unbeaten 49-run knock and stitched crucial partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (32) to ensure India manage a draw. Batting in the fourth and final innings is never easy on Indian pitches but Kohli, the master of chase showed resilience, kept his cool and helped India survive anxious moments.
