Cricket: England Stun India With 28-Run Win

In a stunning turn of events, England clinched a nail-biting 28-run victory over India in the first Test at Hyderabad, with debutant Tom Hartley's remarkable 7-wicket haul stealing the spotlight.

England's Ollie Pope and Tom Hartley orchestrated a comeback at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, marking what has been hailed as one of their "greatest ever" victories. This triumph gives England a crucial 1-0 lead in the five-match series against India.

India initially seemed in control, securing a 190-run lead in the first innings. However, Ollie Pope's monumental 196-run innings turned the tide for England, propelling them to post 420 all out in the second innings. The hosts were left with a challenging target of 231 for victory.

Debutant Tom Hartley emerged as the hero for England, claiming a sensational 7-62 in his maiden Test, dismantling India's batting lineup. India, faltering in the face of Hartley's brilliance, were eventually bowled out for 202 in an extended final session on the penultimate day. India's captain Rohit Sharma managed a top score of 39 in the second innings as his team suffered a mid-innings collapse losing 4-24.

Ravichandran Ashwin (28) and Srikar Bharat (28) fought back with a partnership of 57 runs for the eighth wicket, but England's resilience prevailed. The match extended into the extra half hour of the day, creating a tense finale as both sides closed in on victory.

England captain Ben Stokes expressed immense pride in the team's performance, acknowledging the challenges posed by the formidable Indian team at home. Stokes emphasized the importance of building on this success in the remaining four Tests, anticipating a strong comeback from India.

The cricketing world echoed the sentiment of a "stunning win," with former England spinner Graeme Swann praising Ollie Pope's "magnificent" innings. Cricket pundits, including Andy Zaltzman and Derek Pringle, labelled it as one of England's greatest Test wins, defying conventions. Former spinner Robert Croft speculated on India's regret over the turning pitch at Hyderabad, raising questions about their future pitch selections in the series. England, now 1-0 up, braces for the challenges ahead, mindful of the tough competition posed by India.