Stokes is back and he catches Kohli for 97
Virat Kohli upstaged the returning Ben Stokes as India narrowly had the better of day one in the third Specsavers Test at Trent Bridge.
Kohli made 97 and Ajinkya Rahane contributed 81 as they shared India’s ground-record fourth-wicket stand to give the tourists a foothold at last in the series, where they trail 2-0. India reached 307 for six at stumps after Joe Root put them in. The scene was set here for Stokes to take centre stage on his return to Test cricket, a controversial selection with some despite his affray acquittal at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday. But try as he might, England’s premier all-rounder drew a blank in four spells – and it was Chris Woakes who gave India most to think about until Kohli and Rahane took over in a partnership of 159. W oak es took three for 75, having stepped into the side and impressed at Lord’s last week when Stokes was busy in Bristol. Kohli and Rahane shut out England during the afternoon and well into the evening, before both fell short of three figures. Kohli – much to his disgust – was eventually caught at slip by Stokes, aiming to hit an Adil Rashid leg-break for the boundary which would have completed his hundred. India nonetheless held sway, debutant wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant hitting his first Test runs with a six over long-on second ball off Rashid in a handy stand with Hardik Pandya either side of the second new ball. Rashid, meanwhile, hopes to turn dismissing India talisman Kohli for the fourth time in Test match cricket into a springboard to top form at Trent Bridge. Rashid leaked more than five an over in Nottingham but the leg spinner more than redeemed himself with another fine dismissal of visiting captain Kohli. The tourists’ skipper looked all-set for a second century in the series, before Rashid snared him caught behind for 97. And England’s slow bowler admitted he hopes toseizeonthat breakthrough for the rest of the match – as the hosts seek to sew up a three-nil lead and series victory. “It’s obviously nice to get one of the best players in the world out, especially caught at slip,” said Rashid. “Hopefully I can carry that on as well now. “Myroleistobe aggressive and try to get wickets. “They’ve told me to create some chances to get wickets and if you get hit for a few it doesn’t matter, so it’s a nice place to be.” On his latest dismissal of India great Kohli, Rashid said: “I was looking to bowl wicket to wicket, keep it nice and tight and keep my pace up. “Fortunately for me that one was a bit slower, and he just managed to nick it. It’s just natural variation. “That’s something I’m always working on, my fastest there is 56, average 52, when I’m in a rhythm I’m at the 50-mark giving it a chance to spin. “But sometimes if you don’t feel right you need to have a plan B and stick with that.”
SCOREBOARD INDIA First Innings
S Dhawan c Buttler b Woakes .. 35 K L Rahul lbw b Woakes ............ 23 C A Pujara c Rashid b Woakes .. 14 V Kohli c Stokes b Rashid ......... 97 A M Rahane c Cook b Broad ..... 81 H H Pandya c Buttler b Anderson ............................. 18 R R Pant not out ........................ 22 Extras ...................................... 17 Total six wkts (87 overs) .......... 307