ENG vs IND | Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan's half-centuries take India to safe waters

‌India had a cautious start after being put in by the hosts under overcast conditions with openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal adding 42 runs in 14 overs during the first hour. The pair had three boundaries each as they displayed patience and application, punishing the loose deliveries from the English bowlers. The vigil continued as the pair brought the 50-run partnership for the opening wicket in the 18th over. Jaiswal accelerated proceedings towards the end of the first session with an audacious ramp shot that went over the slip cordon, off Jofra Archer in his second spell. He then slashed skipper Ben Stokes for a six over third man in the next over as the visitors walked in for lunch at 78/0 in 26 overs.

However, Rahul fell in the fourth over after lunch, edging a short of a length delivery outside off stump from Chris Woakes to Crawley at slips. The opener missed out on a well-deserving half-century as he walked back after making 46 off 98 balls. Meanwhile, his partner Jaiswal got to his 12th fifty in Tests, with a quick single off Brydon Carse four overs later. But the southpaw could not make it big as he ended up nicking a straighter delivery from left-arm spinner Liam Dawson to first slip. Jaiswal’s 107-ball 58 was studded with 10 fours and a six as India were placed at 120/2 when he left the scene. Soon it became 140/3 as skipper and in-form batter Shubman Gill (12) was trapped in front after not offering a shot to an inswinging delivery from his counterpart Ben Stokes. The hosts came straight back into the match as India managed just 71 runs, losing three wickets in 26 overs in the post-lunch session.

However, the visitors evened things out with Rishabh Pant joining Sai Sudharsan for a 72-run association for the fourth wicket. Sudharsan applied himself and showed tremendous patience despite England trying to unsettle him with short-ball tactics. Meanwhile, Pant was his usual aggressive self, trying audacious things at the crease. He slog swept Archer for a four before launching Brydon Carse for a straight six, reaching 37 off just 43 balls. But India was dealt a huge blow when the wicketkeeper-batter got hit on his right foot while trying a reverse sweep off a fullish delivery from Chris Woakes. He looked in severe pain as the physio rushed in to check on him and had to be taken back in a mobile stretcher as he was unable to walk. Though Sudharsan (61) completed his maiden half-century in the next over, he could not last long as he finally succumbed to the bouncer ploy of Stokes, ending his 151-ball stay at the crease. Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur were both unbeaten on 19 as the pair’s 29-run partnership ensured that India did not lose another wicket on the first day.