BADSMEN FAIL
Indian batting line-up comes a cropper, gets bowled out for 78
James Anderson rocked the top-order in a morning spell as India got a rude jolt from a disciplined England pace attack, which shot the visitor out for a paltry 78 on the first day of the third Test here on Wednesday.
Replying to India’s first innings total, England was 120 without loss at stumps on Day One. The host had a 42run advantage with all its wickets left in the bank. Openers Haseeb Hameed (60 not out off 130 balls, 11 fours) and Rory Burns (52 not out off 125 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) remained unbeaten at the crease to pile more pressure on India. The touring bowling unit, which was at its best in the previous Test match, could not find a breakthrough.
For the second time in nine months, India has been bowled out for less than 100 after its Adelaide debacle of 36 all-out in December last year. After the Lord’s high, it was an absolute low for Virat Kohli and his men as this is India’s lowest score on a first day track in the past 34 years.
Opener Rohit Sharma (19 off 105 balls) and Ajinkya Rahane (18 off 54 balls) were the only ones to reach double digits, with the third highest contribution being 16 extra runs. Veteran pacer Anderson (8-5-6-3) used his lethal outswingers to good effect and got the wickets of KL Rahul (0), Cheteshwar Pujara (1) and Kohli (7), all caught by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
To make matters worse, India lost six wickets for 22 runs in the post lunch session. Pacers Craig Overton (3 for 14 in 10.3 overs), Ollie Robinson (2 for 16 in 10 overs) and Sam Curran (2 for 27 in 10 overs) didn’t loosen the stranglehold after Anderson’s first assault as India failed to stitch together a significant partnership.
BRIEF SCORES: India (1st innings) 78 in 40.4 overs (James Anderson 3/6, Craig Overton 3/14, Ollie Robinson 2/16, Sam Curran 2/27); England (1st innings) 120/0 in 42 overs (Haseeb Hameed 60*, Rory Burns 52*)