Highlights:
- England are at 269/6 at end of Day 1
- Deepti Sharma picked 2 wickets while Sneh Rana picked 3
- England’s captain Heather Knight was the top scorer with 95 runs
The 27 year old debutant spinner Sneh Rana, who played an important role in India’s comeback against England with a three-wicket haul, said that the pitch was a bit on the slower side and it suited them since it offered turn right from the beginning.
England was rallying comfortably after posting 230 for a loss of 2 wickets but Rana and Deepti Sharma soon hit them hard, taking two wickets each in the final session, bringing India back in the one-off Test.
England lost those four wickets for just 21 runs in mere seven overs.
During the press conference after the end of Day-1 of the test match, Rana said, “The pitch was a little slow at the early stage, but it helped the spinners because it was turning a bit from starting only.
“It’s a really good wicket to bat on. I think it will remain the same tomorrow.”
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Opting to bat, England women were poised at 269/6 at stumps with skipper Heather Knight topping the scorecard with 95 runs only to be sent back to the dressing room by Deepti Sharma.
As per the 27 year old right arm offbreak spinner, she got to know about her debut in the team meeting.
Rana said, “In the practice sessions, we used to speak to the captain (Mithali Raj) and coach (Ramesh Powar), on what to do, how to bowl, what needs to be done.
“I was playing for the first time in a Test, where the scenario is a bit different from one-days and T20s, so we used to speak daily about it”.
Rana 3/77, was ably supported by Deepti 2/50, dedicated her performance to her late father.
She signed off saying, “I lost my father two months back. When this team was announced, a little before that, I lost him.
“It was a bit difficult, it was an emotional moment because he wanted to see me play again for India. But unfortunately, he can’t.
“It’s okay, it is part of life, but whatever I did after that and whatever I will do now, I will dedicate everything to him”.
