Sudharsan shines as England put India's batting to test
After a firm start from the Indian openers, the hosts clawed their way back in on the opening day at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur saw through a tough passage of play to finish Day 1 of the Manchester Test unbeaten with India four wickets down for 264.
The duo were called into action after England managed to remove Sai Sudharsan, who was India’s highest run-scorer on the opening day.
Having been put to bat first by England, the tourists got off to a solid start, courtesy of excellent temperament shown by the Indian openers.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) and KL Rahul (46) added 94 runs for the first wicket as India went wicketless in the opening session.
The partnership was eventually broken by Chris Woakes early in the second. Soon afterwards, Liam Dawson, who made his Test comeback after seven years for England, induced an outside edge off Jaiswal’s willow to remove the left-handed batter.
England then struck a third time in the session as skipper Ben Stokes got rid of his India counterpart with an accurate nip-backer to trap Shubman Gill plumb.
Named among the three changes in the playing XI after the Lord's Test, Sai Sudharsan then added 72 runs for the fourth wicket alongside Rishabh Pant.
However, just as the Indian duo were shouldering the innings towards the end of the day’s play, Pant was forced off the field due to a leg injury.
Sudharsan managed to get to his maiden Test fifty for India, amassing 61 runs off 151 deliveries, which included seven fours.
Stokes would strike again with the ball to remove the left-hander as India lost their fourth wicket on the day.
Jadeja and Thakur eventually closed the day as bad lights forced early Stumps at Old Trafford on Day 1.
England currently lead the five-Test series 2-1 after a thrilling win at Lord’s in the third match.