ENG vs IND: 1st Test – Talking points from India’s opening day domination

The much-anticipated Test series between England and India started brilliantly for the visitors. After losing the toss, the Indians were sent to bowl. The day started in the most horrible fashion for the hosts as Rory Burns was dismissed. From then on, nothing really went England’s way, and even when it did, it wasn’t for too long. India bowled England out for just 183 and ended a fine day’s play on 21 for 0 with their openers seeing off a nervy 13-overs period.

Here are the talking points from day one for the Test match:

5) Ravichandran Ashwin getting dropped

There was a bit of shock when Ashwin’s name was missing from India’s XI. Most of the morning and afternoon session was spent by the commentators talking about his exclusion. Ashwin’s record overseas has been quite good in recent times. On top of that, he bowled well during the ICC WTC Final and also in the one county game that he played. However, it can be said that the green top and the forecast suggested that India might need a fourth seamer instead of a second spinner.

4) Jasprit Bumrah’s return to form

There was a bit of talk around Bumrah after he went wicketless in the ICC WTC Final. However, those murmurs were settled within the first few balls of the match. Bumrah got rid of Rory Burns in the very first over and set the ball rolling. After tea, Bumrah got his rewards. He dismissed Jos Buttler with a peach of a delivery, which was preceded by a beautiful set-up. Then, he got Stuart Broad with a full ball and eventually, got James Anderson with a classic yorker to finish the tail. It is safe to say, Bumrah is back.

3) Shardul Thakur being surprise pick and his performance

Ajay Jadeja on the commentary during the day’s play made a point that Shardul Thakur was picked based on his secondary skills, i.e, his batting ability. There is no denying that Thakur was preferred because of the fact that he can bat better than any of the seamers. But, he justified his selection with an effective spell, where he hit good lines and swung the ball. He removed Joe Root, the only England batter who looked in control and then dismissed Ollie Robinson in the same over.

2) Joe Root’s class apart batting

For England to do well, it is quintessential that Joe Root bats well and it is because he is their best batter. On the first day of the five-match Test series, it was absolutely clear that Root is just a class player who has been surrounded by players who are not as good as him. His knock of 64 runs would be the silver lining for England and good news for the team, given that he ended a run of 11 Test innings without a fifty.

1) England collapse again

There is no secret that England’s batting has been struggling a bit for the last few months. They had a horrible time in India and on their return to England, New Zealand rolled them over thrice for what was not enough totals. Ahead of this series, it was going to be a worry for England and it happened again. From 138 for 3, England slipped to 160 for 9 and eventually 183 all-out. It has to be said England will have to really bat well in the second innings to have a chance of winning this match.