England allowed India to fight back with some late wickets and share the honors on the opening day of the fourth Test At stumps, the visitors were 288/5. Debutant Keaton Jennings had taken England to a strong position with his magnificent ton but three wickets inside 19 runs helped hosts claw their way back into the match.
England skipper Alastair Cook won the toss and elected to bat first on the pitch which has been tipped to become tough to bat on as the game progresses. Cook along with Jennings gave the visitors a solid start as they added 99 runs for the first wicket. Ravindra Jadeja broke the promising partnership when he had Cook stumped for 46. Joe Root could not score big as he edged an Ravichandran Ashwin delivery straight to Virat Kohli, who was standing at first slip. The right-handed batsman departed when the scoreboard read 136. India’s hopes of taking some wickets were soon ended as Jennings, who was dropped on a duck, continued to play impressively and added 94 runs for the third wicket with Moeen Ali. In the meantime, Jennings completed his century while Ali scored his ninth Test fifty.
However, Ashwin brought the hosts right back into the game by dismissing both batsmen inside three balls after the tea break. The off-spinner gave the visitors another setback as he dismissed their in-form batsman Jonny Bairstow for 14 runs. From 230 for 2, Alastair Cook’s men were reduced to 249 for 5. Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes then saw off the remaining overs to help England avoid further damage.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play:
Now Ashwin should get his review out of the way#INDvENG
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) December 8, 2016
Once again India put England to shame by comfortably bowling the required number of overs #BBCCricket #INDvENG
— Ian B (@ijbrads66) December 8, 2016
England have messed up a superb start. Bairstow, like Cook and Moeen before him, guilty of playing a poor, low percentage stroke
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 8, 2016
Yet another one slips through our system. Well played Keaton Jennings.?
— Jacques Kallis (@jacqueskallis75) December 8, 2016
In the last ODI played at Wankhede Quinton de Kock scored a ton
His U-19 opening partner Keaton Jennings made a ton on Test debut#INDvENG— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) December 8, 2016
At the start of the series, England found a partner for Cook: in Jennings they might have found a successor. #INDvENG
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) December 8, 2016
Last three debut centurions for England
Matt Prior born Jo'burg
Jonathan Trott born Cape Town
Keaton Jennings born Jo'burg#IndvEng— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 8, 2016
South Africans have done well for England at Wankhede… ?? #KP #Jennings
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 8, 2016
He may be the worst footballer in the world but @JetJennings can play cricket. Well done mate proud of you #INDvENG #RunMachine #Durham
— Paul Collingwood (@Colly622) December 8, 2016
Wow what a debut. Reverse sweeping to a hundred in first Test innings. Remarkable…@JetJennings #INDvENG
— simon hughes (@theanalyst) December 8, 2016
Yaaaaaaaaaaa!! Keaton is my hero!! #INDvENG
— Mark Wood (@MAWood33) December 8, 2016
Ajinkya Rahane was injured while taking thrown down. Today, indians are putting umpire down with their throw. #wankhede #INDvENG
— Devendra Pandey (@pdevendra) December 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/806765095447470080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
@BCCI #IndvEng seeing umpire get hit by d throw, jst made me realise d strategy we cud hv applied against Steve bucknor in Australia ☝?????
— Faraz Malik (@iamscizzorhandz) December 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/806748448925982725?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Terrible session for India make no mistake. Some bizarrre tactics, no control of the game. Cook gifted his wicket actually.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 8, 2016
Madness from Cook but Parthiv fails to spill the ball. Out.#INDvENG
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) December 8, 2016
Cook trying to unsettle Jadeja but fails. A great example of overconfidence.#IndvsEng
— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) December 8, 2016
india have got their dropped catch and unsuccessful review out of the way early #INDvENG
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 8, 2016
KL Rahul in slips? Bigger blow than both Shami and Rahane's loss this match.
— Alagappan Vijayakumar (@IndianMourinho) December 8, 2016
Once India are warmed up, will they put down sitters in the slips#INDvENG
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) December 8, 2016
In 83-years International Cricket in India, first time India will be playing an International game without a Mumbaikar in Mumbai. #INDvENG
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) December 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/806527825687801856
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/806716825014702080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw