England have recorded one of the most memorable wins in their Test history, overturning a 190-run deficit at the halfway stage to defeat India by 28 runs in Hyderabad.
At the start of day four, Ollie Pope made 196 to help England set their hosts a target of 231 before India were reduced to 119-7, putting the tourists of the brink of a famous victory.
While India showed resilience to almost take a gripping contest into a fifth day, Tom Hartley struck again during the closing stages, taking three more wickets to end with figures of 7-62 on debut.
Resuming on 316-6, England were looking to extend their lead as much as possible, and Rehan Ahmed stuck around to add a further 23 runs before he departed for 28.
Hartley had shown in the first innings that he was useful with the bat, with the number nine contributing a further 34 from 52 to put on a partnership of 80 for the eighth wicket with Pope.
England then went from 419-7 to 420 all out, a disappointing end to a spirited effort with Pope the last man to be dismissed for 196 from 278 deliveries.
That late collapse made India favourites, particularly when they added 42 for the first wicket, but Hartley began to tear through the top order, reducing India to 107-5.
Ben Stokes that is OUTRAGEOUS! 🤯#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/O0xl8qtbGP
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) January 28, 2024
Rohit Sharma (39) had posted the only score of note before a sensational run-out from Ben Stokes to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja (2) and Jack Leach getting in on the act to take the wicket of Shreyas Iyer (13) left England on the brink.
To their credit, though, India produced a gutsy response through Srikar Bharat and Ravichandran Ashwin, who put on 57 from 21.4 overs to turn the pendulum in their favour.
Nevertheless, Hartley was not finished as the left-armer produced an unplayable delivery to bowl Bharat (28) before Ashwin (28) was stumped in his following over.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj showed further resolve to move to within five balls of taking the game into Monday, but Siraj needlessly came down the pitch and missed, allowing Ben Foakes to make the simple stumping and conclude an enthralling series opener.
Darren Plant
