IND v ENG, 4th Test, Day 1 Review: Keaton Jennings century puts England in a strong position

Earlier in the series, it was the teenage sensation Haseeb Hameed who impressed, now it was 24-year-old South African-born Keaton Jennings’s turn to mesmerise the Indian spectators with solid batting show. The left-hander, a sudden inclusion in the team, justified the faith shown in him and entered the record books after hitting a century on debut. His knock of 117 runs served as the foundation for the dominating show which saw England end on 288 for 5 at the stumps on the opening day of the fourth Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

England did not miss Hameed’s service as Jennings showed that he was equally capable of playing on slow pitches. Given the way he batted at the Wankhede Stadium, a century in UAE before flying down here should have been seen as an indication of what ability he had in him. Much was talked about his heritage and growing years. Making a Test debut for England after being the South Africa Under-19 skipper with a prominent name like Ray Jennings as your father surely gets you some attention. But, Jennings put all those things behind and impressed one and cast the limelight on his batting skills.

The first session turned out to be a highly productive one as England posted 117/1 for the loss of just one wicket. Skipper Alastair Cook with his new opening partner, successfully thwarted the Indians to add 99 runs for the first wicket and help their team register their best opening session so far in the Test series.

Cook won his second toss in a row and for the third in the series and opted to bat first on an even looking pitch which had a tinge of grass on it. His analysis about the pitch proved right as the Indian bowling attack, apart from a few close chances, could put any pressure on the openers.

Jennings, the top run-getter in Division One of the 2016 County Championship for a Durham, had no confidence issues and looked at ease and put the sweep shot to a great effect to score runs. The left-hander was lucky to earn this opportunity after injured Haseeb Hameed had to be dropped and received his cap from Ian Botham. After facing the first couple of overs cautiously, the left-hander freed himself with back to back boundaries off Umesh Yadav’s bowling and from there one, he got going and faced little trouble.

There was a bit of luck involved as well. Jennings would have never got the fifty had Nair got hold of a catch in the gully region off Umesh Yadav in the first session. However, the chance was missed and he was encouraged to stroke runs freely thereafter.

Cook, on the other hand, chose to bat in his normal flow and did not look in a rush seeing the youngster get going. But, unfortunately, after batting so well throughout the session, lost his wicket just few overs before Lunch. A change in the form of Ravindra Jadeja brought India its first breakthrough as Cook was stumped behind. He returned four runs short of his fifty and also missed on putting up a 100 run stand with his 24-year-old partner. At Lunch, the Jennings had Joe Root (5*) for the company.

Earlier, both the teams announced a few changes in the playing XI with injury issues troubling both the party. England, after losing Stuart Broad to a foot injury which he sustained three weeks ago, announced that they will be with four quicks and two spinners. Jake Ball was named as a replacement and will play his first Test since his satisfying debut in July against Pakistan.

India also came in without Mohammad Shami as he failed to recover from his sore knee. This gave swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took a five-wicket haul in the last match he played, an opportunity to make a comeback again. Otherwise, it seemed highly unlikely that Kohli would have chosen Kumar.

The batting department saw the return of KL Rahul as the opener but lost Ajinkya Rahane to a finger injury. Karun Nair filled his place in the middle order. The absence of Rahane meant that for the first time, a Mumbai player will not be a part of the playing XI for India in a Mumbai Test.

The following session also belonged to the Englishmen has debutant Jennings went to convert his fifty into a century to become the 8th England opener to score hundred on debut Test.  The left-handed picked the thread from where he left at lunch and helped England finish at a strong 196/2 at Tea with Joe Root being the only casualty in the afternoon session.

India could really get any purchase from the pitch and struggled to get and upper hand over the vistors. Jennings’ knocks eased things up for them, on top it. Post lunch session began with the fall of Joe Root who gave his wicket to Ravichandran Ashwin once again.

However, that was the only success India could taste as Jennings along with Moeen Ali carried forward the innings with ease and pushed India on the back foot. The hosts had no run stopping option leave alone the wicket taking factor. Kohli rotated all his bowlers but only watched them getting hit for drives and reverse sweeps. Runs at one stage were coming at a rate of three and a half per over.

India found some respite in the last session after they snapped three wickets to finally get some reward for all the hardwork they were made to do the entire day. Ravichandran Ashwin can be thanked for the reprieval as the of-spinner snapped Ali, Jonny Bairstow and most importanly Jennings.

Post the break, Ali and Jennings continued to add runs to their scoreboard before Ashwin gave a double blow to England. The duo added 94 runs for the third over to take England past the 200 mark and frustrate India. However, the match turned Ali and jannings departed in the space of three deliveries in the 71st over.

Ali, who always looked keen to attack, lost his wicket after failing to connect a sweep and handing a catch to Nair in the mid-wicket region. A ball later, Ashwin decided to bring in the deep gully in place and the move worked as Jennings edged one low catch to the Pujara. This was the biggest moment for India. few overs later, Jonny Bairstow was made to depart by Ashwin as India finally looked in the contest. England, however, made sure that they did not inflict further damage. Ben Stokes, India’s nemesis this series along with Jos Buttler played out the remaing overs to halp England finish on a satisfying note.

Brief Scores:

England: 288/5 (Keaton Jennings 112; Ravichandran Ashwin 4/75)