India vs England 2020-21, 1st Test: Host takes a jolt in ICC World Test Championship final pursuit

India is involved in a challenging four-Test series against England for the Anthony de Mello Trophy. The opening Test in Chennai saw the host tasting defeat. It has impacted its chances for the final in the ICC World Test Championship, as India needs to bounce back desperately.

<p>On Tuesday, India suffered a defeat in the opening Test against England for the Anthony de Mello Trophy at the MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium in Chennai. The four-Test series is a part of the ICC World Test Championship and is the final series for both the sides, as they would look to make it count, to book the final spot.</p>

On Tuesday, India suffered a defeat in the opening Test against England for the Anthony de Mello Trophy at the MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium in Chennai. The four-Test series is a part of the ICC World Test Championship and is the final series for both the sides, as they would look to make it count, to book the final spot.

<p>While New Zealand has seemingly sealed its place in the final, India and England are vying for the remaining slot. Nonetheless, the defeat has made things worse for the host, as it has pushed it down to the fourth spot in the WTC table, with 68.3% of PCT, behind Australia (69.2%) and New Zealand (70%).</p>

While New Zealand has seemingly sealed its place in the final, India and England are vying for the remaining slot. Nonetheless, the defeat has made things worse for the host, as it has pushed it down to the fourth spot in the WTC table, with 68.3% of PCT, behind Australia (69.2%) and New Zealand (70%).

<p>Meanwhile, England has risen to the top spot, with a PCT of 70.2%. However, if it suffers a 1-3 or 1-2 defeat hereon, India would rise to second. Nevertheless, if England wins 3-1, 3-0 or 4-0, it would seal its spot in the final, reports <em>ICC</em>.</p>

Meanwhile, England has risen to the top spot, with a PCT of 70.2%. However, if it suffers a 1-3 or 1-2 defeat hereon, India would rise to second. Nevertheless, if England wins 3-1, 3-0 or 4-0, it would seal its spot in the final, reports ICC.

<p>Australia continues to hang in the balance, as it would depend on the India-England series. Australia would hope for its arch-rival to win at least by the margins of 1-0, 2-1 or 2-0 to set a date with its trans-Tasman rival, New Zealand, at Lord's on June 14.</p>

Australia continues to hang in the balance, as it would depend on the India-England series. Australia would hope for its arch-rival to win at least by the margins of 1-0, 2-1 or 2-0 to set a date with its trans-Tasman rival, New Zealand, at Lord's on June 14.

<p><strong>Match summary</strong><br />England won the toss and elected to bat, as it posted a monstrous 578, courtesy Root's 218, while India was bundled out for 337, as Dominic Bess claimed a four-for. England managed 178 in the second innings, as Ashwin claimed six, whereas while chasing 419, India was skittled for 192, while Jack Leach claimed four.<br /><strong>Brief scores: England 578 &amp; 178 (Root 40; Ashwin 6/61) defeats India 337 &amp; 192 (Gill 50, Kohli 72; Leach, 4/76, Anderson 3/17) by 227 runs.</strong></p>

Match summary
England won the toss and elected to bat, as it posted a monstrous 578, courtesy Root's 218, while India was bundled out for 337, as Dominic Bess claimed a four-for. England managed 178 in the second innings, as Ashwin claimed six, whereas while chasing 419, India was skittled for 192, while Jack Leach claimed four.
Brief scores: England 578 & 178 (Root 40; Ashwin 6/61) defeats India 337 & 192 (Gill 50, Kohli 72; Leach, 4/76, Anderson 3/17) by 227 runs.