India vs England: 6 reasons why India lost Chennai Test

Riding on an exemplary bowling performance by James Anderson and Jack Leach, England team registered 227 runs victory in the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Hyderabad: England came crushing on India in the first Test of four-match Test series in Chennai to take a 1-0 lead. Joe Root led England handed India a 227-run defeat. It is India's first loss at home in 14 Tests. India's defeat that came after an empathic Test series victory in Australia raised questions.

Here, we have discussed six reasons behind India's defeat in Chennai Test.

Luck factor: England's decision to bat first after winning the toss at a surface where the inner surface was tugging up within three days proved to be a masterstroke for the visitors. A 63-run opening wicket partnership followed by Sibley (87), Root (218) and Stokes' late hammering had put England in commanding position.

Virat Kohli lost a very bad toss

Root: Skipper Joe Root had been the root cause for England's win. He held his nerves until he got a loose ball, and went for the maximum when he got chances. His marathon 218 runs innings comprising 19 fours and two sixes gave England an edge early in the match. His mammoth innings eventually separated two teams.

England skipper Joe Root is in red hot form

India conceded huge lead: In reply to England's 578 all out, India were bowled out for 337 giving away a massive 241 first-innings lead to the visitors. In the second innings even though, England could score 178, they managed to set a huge 420 runs target for India.

Ajinkya Rahane failed as a batsman in both the innings

Rohit, Rahane's a failure: When England's top order performed to their full potential, India's two top-notch batsmen Rohit and Rahane's contributions to the entire match were merely 18 and 1 respectively.

Barring R Ashwin, Indian spinners looked toothless

Erratic bowling: Indian bowlers bowled 27 no-balls in the match. India's experienced bowling attack comprising Ashwin, Bumrah and Ishant were sloppy and erratic. Their rhythms were not correct.

Shahbaz Nadeem

Wrong combination: India's decision to play Shahbaz Nadeem ahead of Kuldeep Yadav proved costly for the hosts. Nadeem was not only expensive but also bowled nine no-balls just to take four wickets. Kuldeep has once again been ignored. He took five wickets in his last Test in 2019 at SCG.