India vs England, 1st Test at Chennai, IND v ENG, Feb 05 2021 - Ball by Ball Commentary

2.10pm That is that. England have secured their sixth successive victory in Asia, this one set up by another masterclass from Root in his 100th Test. Thanks for your warm company and comments. We have a variety of post-match stuff lined up for you. Be back for the Chepauk rematch from February 13. Until Saturday, this is Deivarayan Muthu signing off on the behalf of Karthik Krishnaswamy, Chandan Duorah and Venkat Raghav. Take care and cheers.

ICYMI: Crowds up to 50% capacity of the MA Chidambaram Stadium will be allowed for the second India-England Test in Chennai. The I, J and K stands, which have been locked to spectators for over nine years, will also be thrown open to the public for the second Test. Reportedly, all tickets have been sold out already.

Here's Root again speaking to the broadcaster: It has been a fantastic five days - the way we batted and executed the game plan was really pleasing. We will enjoy this knowing there will be hard work to be done. Anderson is bowling well as ever. He is like a fine wine - getting better and better. When there's pressure, he will never let you down. I think the spinners did a very good job for us - four wickets apiece in either innings. The key for us over here is collectively how we're going to take 20 wickets and not put pressure on individuals. The Sri Lanka wins gave us a huge amount of confidence, but this was a very different surface to what we encountered in Sri Lanka. We still have room for improvement, but it's exciting. What a position it is to be at the moment (1-0 up). More than anything else, we wanted to make sure we get to 400 and there are only two outcomes in the game. That would play into our hands and our bowlers delivered for us. We have some adaptable players who have come in and learnt on the job. Look at Dom Sibey - he has played well on the back of low scores. It's pleasing and long may that continue. It's important we don't stand still now and keep getting better in these conditions. It's a really special week for me to come here and score some big runs and more than anything to set it up for the boys. We have to score big runs if we are to win games. It's a great position to be in (selection headaches). Nice to be in this position and nice to have competition for places.

Ali from Cali: "Indian team is experiencing a roller-coaster ride in 2021! From 36 to series win in Aus to getting blown away by Eng at home..."

Eye of Sauron: "Leach and Bess have a combined experience of 26 matches. England have shown all the other teams that they can bat their way out to win a game in India without relying excessively on the bowling. "

Hashir: "Know who would be happiest at the current scenario? Sri Lankan fans. We've been termed incompetent at home with a drubbing by an England side in form, but such is the might of the 'sub continental bragging rights' that we are actually happy to see England triumph in India too. Well deserved though - Root has been in simmering hot form of late."

Celine: "Almost exactly Joe Root's master class 218 runs in the first innings is what makes the difference between the two teams. "

1.38pm Well, that's a wrap and a half. What a stunning victory from England. They have bossed this match and these conditions in pretty much every session of the Test - massive runs from Joe Root, fierce pace from Jofra Archer, gutsy spin from Dom Bess in the first innings, and superb bouncebackability from Jack Leach in the second. And in that extraordinary game-seizing burst from James Anderson this morning, we saw a 38-year-old in absolute command of his game. Joe Root led the side with astute tactics too, and has now drawn level with Michael Vaughan as England's most successful Test captain. Quite the uptick in fortunes, as they seal their sixth consecutive win in Asia.

As for India, quite the comedown from the highs of the Gabba. But in mitigation, they lost an important toss, and showed plenty spark for a fightback on this same ground later this week. In the exploits of Pant, Sundar and Gill in particular, they've got a core of fearless youngsters who won't be cowed by what's happened this week.

Root, England captain and Man of the Match in his 100th Test: Yeah, from the toss [things seemed to go our way]. It was a crucial toss and we posted a very good score and to score 20 wickets in alien conditions...huge credit to the bowlers. The first partnership was crucial to get us going and from there it was about contributions. That's got to be the way we have to win out there - bat for long periods for time in the first innings. We are a proud team and it's important to keep finding ways to get better. The idea was to get to 400 and declare and it didn't materialise like that. The most important thing was to take the Indian win out of the equation and we could just focus on taking the wickets. I think the guys handled the pressure well and looking forward to the rest of the series. The way he (Anderson) goes about things - constantly challenging himself at 38 to still get better - he's a great role model to the rest of the ground. He is the GOAT of English cricket constantly challenging himself and finding ways to get better all the time. And his skill level is right up there.

Kohli, India captain: I don't think we put enough pressure on them (England) with the ball in the first half. Collectively as a bowling unit - fast bowlers and Ash - we were good in the first innings but we also needed to contain a few more runs and create pressure. Just looked like not much (was) happening in it (pitch) on the first two days. But credit to England, they got stuck in and put up a big total on the board You have to give credit where it's due and we have to understand the things that we've done decently in this game. England played far more professionally. You need your bowling unit to step up and perform more collectively. It's okay, lack of execution is understandable. We're always learning as a side. Test cricket is a grind. England were ready for the grind and were far more equipped. Firstly (we have to) start off with good body language, understand the fields, and at the end of the day it's the mindset. As a side, we're a side that always improves and knows how to bounce back. Yeah, Pant is a guy who likes to have fun on the field. That's his personality and it's very helpful for the team. He brings a lot of energy.

Nithin Sai: "In my opinion Indian batsmen are not the best players of spin anymore. Eng batsmen applied themselves much much better than Indian batsmen and batted for 7 sessions. Even though the pitch helped them and they batted first they dealt with spin well in the second innings too."

Syed Kamran Azh: "This week both test matches in India and Pakistan were dominated by fast bowlers on 5th day instead of spinners. Is it me or somebody else finds it strange"

Manish: "That's why you also need batsman who bat out time and not just those who score quickly. To be honest India couldn't do much after losing the toss and pitch was a road for good two and half days. Probably Kuldeep instead of Nadeem in terms of selection but don't think it would've made the result any different. Well played, England. They got everything right. "

Eye of Sauron: "Only one bowler from England has taken a 5 wicket haul in India in the 4th innings of a match--James Langridge took 5/63 in 1934 in Chennai. Hope Leach becomes the second to do so. "

ehsan: "Leach deserves a 5fer here"

Archer replaces Stokes, with England one away from 1-0

No.11 Bumrah