(Image source from: Twitter.com/BCCI)
India forced to draw after rains robs a chance to win the First Test:- The first test match between India and England is inching towards completion and India has close chances to end up as the winner. But the rain played a spoilsport and India is forced to draw in the match. Chasing a target of 209, India is 52 for the loss of the first wicket. The final day of the first test match is completely abandoned due to the heavy rain. India and England will share four points each in the second edition of the World Test Championship. Joe Root is named as the Player of the Match for his beautiful 109 runs in the second innings. The first test between India and England is the first-ever test match in the 2023 cycle of the World Test Championship.
The start of the match got delayed twice before and after lunch. India just needed 157 runs more to win with nine wickets left. There was no possible chance of the play due to the heavy downpour. India scored 52 runs during the third session of the play on Saturday. India lost KL Rahul after a cautious start in their second innings. England was restricted to 303 in their second innings. Joe Root scored a century while Jasprit Bumrah picked up five wickets in the second innings. Team India had fair chances of winning the match but it was the rain that spoiled the chances. KL Rahul departed for 26 and Rohit Sharma (12 not out), Chesteshwar Pujara (12 not out) are in the crease. The second test match between India and England starts on August 12th in the Lords.