[WATCH] KL Rahul bows down in admiration after Rishabh Pant's heroics on Day 1
The Indian Cricket Team will be mighty pleased with their batting effort on Day 1 of the first Test against England in the five-match series on Friday, June 20, at Headingley, Leeds.
The Indian Cricket Team will be mighty pleased with their batting effort on Day 1 of the first Test against England in the five-match series on Friday, June 20, at Headingley, Leeds. After Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to field first, it was utter dominance from the Indians as they amassed 359 runs for the loss of three wickets. They gave England a taste of their own 'Bazball' medicine, scoring at a run rate of 4.22.
Shubman Gill led from the front in his first Test as captain of the Indian team in red-ball cricket. He remained unbeaten on 127 off 175 balls, hitting 16 fours and one six. Meanwhile, vice-captain Rishabh Pant also batted till Stumps, scoring 65 off 102 deliveries, with the help of six fours and two sixes. KL Rahul, who also impressed with his well-composed 42, bowed down in admiration for Pant's blitzkriegs in the final session of day's play.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video of the dressing room reactions to India's stunning performance on Day 1. After the two talented cricketers - Gill and Pant - made their way back to the dressing room, Rahul and Shardul Thakur were the first ones to congratulate them. Members of the support staff, including head coach Gautam Gambhir followed.
Watch the video here
Earlier in the day, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul got India off to a fantastic start. They added 91 runs, playing some delightful shots in the first session. However, before the Lunch break, India lost two quick wickets. Brydon Carse dismissed Rahul as the Karnataka-born batter went chasing a wide delivery and edged it to Joe Root at first slip.
Sai Sudharsan, making his Test debut, was strangled down the leg-side. He faced four balls and couldn't open his account in his maiden outing in red-ball internationals. Stokes dismissed him, with help from wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who took a sharp catch diving to his right.
However, India didn't panic at this stage, with Yashasvi and captain Gill combining to add 129 runs off just 163 for the third wicket. The Southpaw batter was eventually dismissed after scoring 101 off 159 balls. This was England's last bit of joy on the day, as Gill and Pant overwhelmed the English bowling attack till Stumps, as the umpires called it a time with the scoreboard reading 359 for the loss of just three wickets in a day completely dominated by the visitors.
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