India makes rapid start after bowling out England for 246

Friday, 26 January 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

India raced to 119-1 to give some context to England’s 246 all out on an action-packed first day of the first Test in Hyderabad.

After winning a crucial toss on a pitch already offering so much to the spinners, the tourists found themselves in 60-3 and 137-6.

But captain Ben Stokes, playing for the first time since having knee surgery in November, made a superb 70, to marshal the tail.

Stokes, who lofted three sixes, shared 38 with debutant Tom Hartley and 41 with Mark Wood as England added 109 for their last four wickets. Eight wickets fell to spin, including three each for Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. England appeared to be in the game, only for India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal to make light of the conditions. He dished out some particularly brutal treatment to left-arm spinner Hartley, whose first ball in Test cricket was belted for six.

Jaiswal raced to a half-century from 47 balls, adding 80 for the first wicket with captain Rohit Sharma in 12 overs, before the skipper skied Jack Leach to Stokes at mid-on.

Left-hander Jaiswal ended on 76 not out to leave India 127 behind at the close. Hartley conceded an eye-watering 63 from only nine overs and England has already burned all three of their reviews.