England got off to a steady start in the morning session of day one of the fifth and final Test match against India at the Kennington Oval.
Meanwhile, with the hosts already winning the series, the dead rubber will be known for Alastair Cook’s last Test match. Cook announced that he will bid adieu after the completion of the ongoing Test series.
India made two changes bringing in debutant Hanuma Vihari in place of Hardik Pandya while Ravichandran Ashwin misses out due to injury. Ravindra Jadeja who was a mere passenger in this series, so far finally got a game.
After a string of poor score, Cook has finally helped England off to a steady start. He along with Keaton Jenning looked comfortable against the Indian bowlers. While Ishant Sharma was spot on, Jasprit Bumrah was wayward with the new ball. Virat Kohli tried all his bowlers but went in vain as Cook looked gritty to end his career on a high.
Kohli also tried Vihari, who rapped the batsmen on the pads a couple of times but England openers continue confidently as they raise a half-century stand – only the second time in this series for England.
However, India got some relief a Jadeja brought them one wicket against the run of play. It was a standard Jadeja delivery, straight and slightly quick, and Jennings (23) tickles it to Rahul at leg slip.
Moeen Ali continued to bat at one drop as England went to lunch at 68 for the loss of one wicket.
Here is how the Twitter reacted post lunch on day one of the fifth Test between England and India at Oval:
Will Root come out at 3? Or it’ll be Moeen just like the last innings of the last Test? I’m eagerly waiting for the first English wicket to fall… #EngvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 7, 2018
Get a feeling Cook will serve a big one in his last Test. #ENGvIND
— Wanderer (@DisDatNothin) September 7, 2018
Go well Alistair Cook #tailendersoftheworlduniteandtakeover #ENGvIND #bbccricket #ThankYouChef
— Loz (@laurendiannee97) September 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/NaraayanKannan/status/1038027621521473536
Worst performance of the #ENGvIND series? Harbhajan Singh on commentary…. What were @SkyCricket thinking….. YAWN
— Jack Smith (@Smith93Jack) September 7, 2018
Watch for the beautiful drift that Ravindra Jadeja gets into the left-handers. Virat hasn't quite got his field perfect for him yet. #ENGvIND
— KASHISH (@crickashish217) September 7, 2018
Harbhajan dropped a dolly off Alastair Cook when he was on 70 in his Debut at the Nagpur Test and now he’s saying that he did that to let the young lad get to his 100 in the comm box. ? Time sure flies! #ENGvIND
— ???????Habibti?? (@Yas_Queen17) September 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/jinitjain08/status/1038027530320539648
We are letting Cook score a century in his final match ??#ENGvIND #AlastairCook #ENGvsIND
— Ser Dard (@MishraMayankesh) September 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/balaji_pspk/status/1038027519851606016
No chances being created by the bowlers against a batsman who has announced his retirement while the other hasn’t got his feet moving against better bowlers #EngvInd
— El Magnifico (@VishnChipz) September 7, 2018