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Ex-England skipper Alastair Cook has expressed his view that England faces a formidable challenge in the ongoing final Test against India at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. With India's commanding performance on Day 2, highlighted by centuries from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, and a half-century from Sarfaraz Khan, the hosts overtook England's initial innings score, putting England in a precarious position.
No way back for England: Cook
Cook shared his insights with TNT Sports, noting India's strategic prowess in the fifth Test. By the Lunch break on Day 2, India had not only neutralised England's advantage but also established a 46-run lead, tightening their grip on the match. The grip was further strengthened as India reached 376/3.
"It went away from (England) yesterday and this is the icing on the cake for India. This is like 'we are shutting every door and locking it'. There is no way back into the game for England - they are making sure that is the case," said Cook.
Cook underscored the difficulty of the situation for England, suggesting that the visitors are facing an inexorable decline in Dharamsala. He highlighted the arduous task ahead for England, given India's determined and effective play.
In Test cricket it's a slow death and England are going to experience that over the next couple of days, you feel, unless something strange happens," said Cook.
"It's been a brilliant partnership between these two - Gill in particular has been very aggressive this morning. Rohit has just steadied himself to a hundred, he realises you don't get many opportunities to book yourself in for a Test hundred. It's been tough work for the English bowlers," Cook added.
Kuldeep Yadav leads India's charge on Day 1
The first day saw Kuldeep Yadav spearhead India's bowling attack, securing his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket and conceding only 72 runs across 15 overs. His efforts were complemented by Ravichandran Ashwin, who, on his 100th Test appearance, took four crucial wickets, further consolidating India's position.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's swift half-century set the tone for India, ending Day 1 at a promising 135/1. The partnership between Rohit and Gill on Day 2 was instrumental in pushing India past England's first innings total, showcasing their batting depth and strategic acumen.
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