Debutant Tom Hartley delivered one of the greatest overseas wins in England’s history, claiming a magnificent seven to down India in the first Test at Hyderabad and complete a classic comeback.
In the earlier stages of the match, Hartley witnessed his first ball as a Test cricketer being launched for six. However, he displayed immense resilience, bouncing back with remarkable figures of seven for 62 in the fourth innings, ultimately securing a thrilling 28-run victory.
The relatively unknown 24-year-old, chosen for this tour based on a hunch, entered the match with a career-best performance of five for 52 for Lancashire. By the end of the fourth day, he emerged as a hero when he claimed the last wicket.
England initially faced the prospect of a substantial defeat after conceding a 190-run first-innings deficit. Yet, they refused to yield with both bat and ball, dealing India only their fourth home defeat in over a decade.
Ollie Pope laid the foundation with a heroic 196, setting India a challenging target of 231 on a worn pitch. With lead spinner Jack Leach hampered by a knee injury, Hartley stepped up in a memorable manner.
Despite India typically dominating on home soil, they seemed paralyzed in defense as England bowled them out for 202. Hartley, fittingly, secured the winning moment by stumping Mohammed Siraj during a reckless attempt down the track.
In achieving this feat, Hartley became the first spinner since the legendary Jim Laker to claim a seven-for on debut. This accomplishment was even more impressive considering his challenging first spell on day one, which led to questions about his selection.
England’s fielding was equally sharp, with Pope, following his game-changing knock, taking two excellent close catches off Hartley. Captain Ben Stokes added to the pressure with an instinctive run-out.
Starting at 316 for six, England added another 104 runs to finish at 420 all out – their highest second-innings score in India since 1961. Pope, praised by teammate Joe Root as delivering an “absolute masterclass,” remained unbeaten on 148 overnight and contributed an additional 48 before being the last man out. His attempt to reach a well-deserved double century with an over-the-shoulder ramp ended with the loss of his off stump to Jasprit Bumrah. Earlier in the innings, Pope had a crucial partnership of 80 with Hartley, who made an enterprising 34 to kick off his unforgettable day.
