India will take a lot more from this game than England, says Dinesh Karthik

What was building towards a fascinating final day finish ended in a tame draw as rain played spoilsport on Day 5 of the first Test between England and India. The match was tantalizingly poised with India needing 157 runs to win with nine wickets in hand. England, on the other hand, would also have some hope given the overcast conditions and quality bowling.

Indian wicketkeeper and TV commentator Dinesh Karthik, however, feels that Virat Kohli’s men had the upper hand going into the final day of the Test.

“I think India definitely had the upper hand going into the final day. India will take a lot more from this game than England would – overall they played a very good brand of cricket,” Karthik told Sky Sports.

Ahead of the Test, India were concerned about the form of Jasprit Bumrah. The ace pacer had not been in the best of the form of late and even went wicketless in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. However, the champion bowler roared back in style and picked up 4 wickets in the first inning to help India bundle out England for 183 before picking up a five-wicket haul in the second inning.

On the batting front, KL Rahul’s masterclass innings of 84 runs must have solved India’s opening conundrum. Karthik lauded Bumrah and said that he set the tone for India to dominate the Test.

“Bumrah set the tone in the first over, setting up Rory Burns the way he did, the bowling unit was good and I thought the batters came in with a lot of intent,” Karthik added.

The two teams will now move to London for the second Test at the iconic Lords Stadium from August 12-16.