Bhuvi plays his part with second half-century of the match
Nottingham: Stuart Binny struck a match-saving 78 on his debut as India overcame some anxious moments to manage a draw in the first Test against England here on Sunday.
India were in deep trouble midway into the morning session as Virat Kohli (8), Ajinkya Rahane (24) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (11) were dismissed in quick succession with the visiting side 145 runs ahead and with just four second innings wicket in hand.
But, Binny made a mark in his maiden Test with a memorable performance as he not only pulled India out of the mire but also took his side to a lead of more than 300 runs to shut the door on England at Trent Bridge.
Binny also found an able ally in Ravindra Jadela (31) as they put on a crucial 65-run stand for the seventh wicket to keep England – who had scored 496 all out in their first innings – at bay.
India, however, continued to bat and declared their second innings at 391 for nine.
The two sides then decided to end the match.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who shared 91 runs with Binny for the eighth wicket, remained not out at 63, his second half-century of the match after his first innings of 58.
Binny’s solid 78 off 114 balls was studded with eight fours and a six and he was out just before tea break after taking the match out of England’s reach.
Binny, who showed fantastic temperament in his debut match, looked on course for a century before Moeen Ali had him LBW with 10 minutes to go for tea.
India were 347 for eight at tea break, an overall lead of 308, and by then it was clear that the match would end in a draw.
The two sides now move to Lord’s in London for the second of the five-match Test series, which begins on July 17.
England pacer James Anderson, another tail-ender who shone with the bat, was named Man-of-the-Match.
Although he took just four wickets for 170 runs, Anderson contributed with 81 runs in England’s only innings.
“Overall there was a lot of positives for us. We needed a partnership this morning and we got it. It was a good Test match for us, we managed to put pressure on them and then we held up well when we were under pressure,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“We haven’t had a seaming allrounder but Stuart Binny can be someone who can really contribute for us in the future.”
He had no regrets about leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI.
“I don’t regret not playing R Ashwin because there was no help for the spinner. We had good combinations and I was happy with the bowling attack. I don’t think I could have changed much when (Joe) Root and (Jimmy) Anderson were going, we tried a few things but the ball got soft and the bowlers go tired and I don’t think there was much else we could have done.”
England captain Alastair Cook was full of praise for Root, who notched up a big century in the hosts’ first innings.
“In this game we had a poor session, losing six wickets on a really good pitch. Thankfully we got out of it. Joe Root has come back really well, leading the time and marshalling those partnerships,” Cook said.
Cook added: “It’s a tough job being a groundsman and he’s admitted he’s got it wrong but you have to adapt and we adapted well. As captain, you just had to try things and that’s all you can do. When it was reversing and the ball was hard, it became a bit more even.
“Simon had a tough experience but his record has turned out well. He might expect a bit more if he plays in four days time, he could feature. He’s a tough lad and he’s come back from the experience at The Oval.”
In the morning session, India suffered a scare as England took three wickets for 17 runs in first hour. Stuart Broad removed both overnight batsmen Kohli and Rahane in successive overs before Liam Plunkett dismissed Dhoni to send shock waves in the visiting team camp.
India found themselves at a precarious 184 for six with an overall lead of 145 and four second innings wickets in hand when Binny and Jadeja joined forces.
Binny, in company of the Saurashtra all-rounder, justified his selection by doing well enough to negotiate a good spell of bowling from James Anderson and Stuart Broad, asking tough questions. (PTI)
SCORECARD
India 1st inn: 457
England 1st inn: 496
India 2nd inn: (o’night 167/3)
M Vijay c Prior b Ali 52
S Dhawan c & b Ali 29
C Pujara c Stokes b Plunkett 55
V Kohli lbw b Broad 8
A Rahane c Prior b Broad 24
MS Dhoni b Plunkett 11
R Jadeja c Prior b Anderson 31
S Binny lbw b Ali 78
B Kumar not out 63
Ishant c Prior b Cook 13
M Shami not out 4
Extras: (b-9, lb-7, nb-7) 23
Total: (9 wkts; 123 overs) 391
FOW: 1-49, 2-140, 3-140, 4-168, 5-173, 6-184, 7-249, 8-340, 9-387
Bowling: Anderson 21-8-47-1, Broad 21-7-50-2, Plunkett 20-1-85-2, Ali 28-4-105-3, Stokes 18-3-60-0, Root 12-4-22-0, Cook 2-0-6-1, Ballance 1-1-0-0