Twitter Reactions: England on top as Ben Stokes makes India sweat

England continued to grill India with its sturdy batting show and piled 537 runs in the first innings of the first Test at the SAC Stadium, Rajkot. All-rounder Ben Stokes joined the Joe Root and Moeen Ali in the century club, hitting 128 run knock in his natural stroke full manner.

The day began with Ali adding the all-important one run to his overnight score of 99 before eventually getting out in the first hour for 117 runs. Stokes then took the center stage made the Indian toil till the last session of the day.

England’s first innings total was special. While it has put the visitors’ in firm control of the proceedings, now team since 2012, has scored over 500 in an innings in India. England, coincidentally the team who did it the last time in Kolkata.

Sub-standard fielding also cost India big time. Umesh Yadav found himself in a frustrating situation when Wicket-keeper Sriddhiman Saha dropped two catches, that too in successive overs. Later Virat Kohli squandered a catch at long – on off Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling. Amusingly, it was Ben Stokes who enjoyed all the three the lives. Apart from the dropped catches, misfield also cost India extra runs.

Also read – Ashwin is a very capable bowler, I expect him to get a lot of wickets: Harbhajan Singh

With an uphill task at hands, The Indian openers Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijaya did not disappoint and helped India finish the day without any damage. The duo added 63 runs for the opening wicket and batted out the remaining 23 overs with ease to end the day on a satisfying note. Tomorrow morning it will be all about handling scoreboard pressure. The pitch has also begun to deteriorate which will make run scoring bit difficult. These couple factors make batting on day 2 very challenging for the hosts.

Patience and perseverance on display as @GautamGambhir and Murali Vijay bring up the 50-run partnership. India 50/0 from 16 overs. #IndvsEng

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) November 10, 2016

500 was banned,but England not paying any heed. Approaching the 500 mark.
Perhaps,the new one.#IndvsEng

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 10, 2016

Country has forgotten its second love – Cricket, and is concentrating on saving its first love – Cash 🙂 #IndvsEng

— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) November 10, 2016

https://twitter.com/Cricketracker/status/796654005975924736

England: "We've made 537. How much can you get?"

India: "Bro, that 500 is not valid anymore. Only that 37 we will consider."#IndvsEng

— iMallu (@NaanumEngineer) November 10, 2016

Only once ENGLAND has scored more than 537 runs in an innings & lost – 551/6 dec against Australia in Adelaide in 2006. #IndvsEng

— Deepu Narayana (@deeputalks) November 10, 2016

On a wicket not quiet a 'rank turner', India's best bowlers have been seamers Shami and Umesh! Spin anyone? #IndvsEng

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 10, 2016

Ah, fortune does favour the brave: rarely would u see so many catches falling in no-man's land- Eng deserve to be where they r now #IndvsEng

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 10, 2016

Virat Kohli is letting England get to the score of 500 so that Modi Ji can declare it worthless all of a sudden. #IndvsEng

— Sand-d Singh (@Sand_In_Deed) November 10, 2016

Indians are top performers in their own backyard but d pressure of board is always there. Well played @benstokes38,a welcome ton! #IndvsEng

— Aalia Rasheed (@aaliaaaliya) November 10, 2016

Joe Root Batting average vs India in Tests: 110

Virat Kohli Batting average vs England in Tests: 20

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) November 9, 2016

https://twitter.com/ProfDeano/status/796567037120159745

The boys have batted outstandingly! They're constantly learning and improving. They've given themselves a real chance to go 1 up!?#INDvENG

— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) November 10, 2016

Bowling a length which makes the batsman come forward but not able play drive is the key for bowlers #bowling

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 10, 2016

Perfect example of that length. Well bowled @MdShami11

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 10, 2016