Kuldeep Yadav delivery to dismiss Zak Crawley© X (Twitter)
India’s left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav channeled his inner Shane Warne as he dismissed the well-settled Zak Crawley in the second session of Day 1 of the 5th Test against England. Crawley, until the moment he faced this delivery from Kuldeep, was brilliant in picking up Indian bowlers. But, the said delivery from the chinaman spinner completely bamboozled him. Finding the fine gap between Crawley’s bat and pad, the ball shattered the England batter’s stumps, leaving everyone stunned. It was also reported that the ball spun more than 10 degrees.
THAT KULDEEP YADAV DELIVERY TO FOX ZAK CRAWLEY TURNED 10.9°…!!! pic.twitter.com/PlBscglpiz
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 7, 2024
Crawley was gradually easing closer to his century before Kuldeep pulled a bunny out of his hat and showed the England star the way towards the dressing room.
Kuldeep’s five-wicket haul helped India reduce England to 194 for eight at tea on Day 1 of the fifth and final Test.
England started the post-lunch session at 100 for two but lost six wickets for just 94 runs as Indian spinners, led by Kuldeep (5/72), ran through their batting unit.
Opener Zak Crawley (79, 108 balls) offered lone resistance for England.
There were two middling partnerships -– 37 between Crawley and Joe Root (26) for third wicket and 38 between Root and 100-Test-man Jonny Bairstow (29) for the fourth wicket –- but they were not sufficient for the visitors.
In fact, the tourists lost last five wickets for a mere eight runs as R Ashwin, who is playing his 100th Test, and Ravindra Jadeja too got into the act.
All 10 wickets of the innings were taken by spinners, with Ravichandran Ashwin bagging four while Ravindra Jadeja claimed a solitary scalp. England were eventually bowled out for 218 in 57.4 overs.
With PTI inputs
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