RAJKOT: Joe Root had given a good account himself on Test debut in Nagpur four years ago, when he rescued England from a shaky 120-odd for five with a dogged half-century. Back in India with reputation enhanced, the 24-year-old demonstrated why he is rated among the best batsmen in world cricket today. His 11th century lifted England from a spot of bother and helped the team bag Day 1 honours in the first Test.
Things were not going the visitors’ way after they elected to bat in good conditions for batting at SCA Stadium. Despite two dropped catches and a decent opening stand of 47, Alastair Cook’s team took lunch at 102/3. One more wicket after the break could have swung it India’s way. But Root’s 179-run partnership with Moeen Ali for the fourth wicket meant there was little to cheer for the sparse crowd as England ended the day at a more-than-respectable 311/4.
A thorn in the Indian flesh with the ball two years ago in England, Moeen played the ideal partner. With Root scoring freely and not letting the pressure mount, the left-hander was circumspect in comparison, but found ways to survive. Deflecting the ball neatly and treating bowlers with respect, he grew in confidence gradually to finish the day one short of a fourth Test century. His effort was less attractive, but as effective as Root’s and no less important in the context of the match.
Despite fielding five bowlers, India were effectively one short due to an injury to Mohamamd Shami that kept him out of the second session. He broke down a few times even after returning. Umesh Yadav tried hard without luck and the principal spinners hardly extracted turn. Amit Mishra was the only spinner who managed some, but lacked control as the captain gave him just 10 overs.
England were under pressure at 102/3 when play resumed after lunch. Ravichandran Ashwin had warmed up with two wickets and one more would have put India on top. That was not to be against a determined and fluent Root. Looking to score instead of merely survive, he brought England back with a commanding effort. Hosting a Test for the first time, Saurashtra Cricket Association played safe and rolled out a flat pitch with some carry for the faster bowlers. If that was encouraging for the bowlers, Root and Moeen showed there was plenty in it for batsmen as well during the partnership that lasted 48.2 overs.
The first session was eventful, with India dropping both openers before getting rid of them. The tale of missed chances started in the first over, when Ajinkya Rahane floored a sitter offered by Alastair Cook off the bowling of Shami. Murali Vijay missed a relatively tougher chance to send back Haseeb Hameed in the sixth over, when the debutant was on 13. Umesh Yadav was the bowler. With these catches went India’s chances of putting England under early pressure.
Just as it seemed England would make India pay for these, Ravidndra Jadeja ended the opening partnership by sending back Cook. Hameed’s impressive innings was ended by Ashwin soon after. Both were leg-before. It appeared Cook could have asked for a review, but he didn’t. Hameed looked gone and still asked for it, only to waste one of the two referrals available to a team per innings. The 19-year-old, who received his Test cap from former England captain Michael Atherton, was looking good during his 82-ball 31.
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