India captain Rohit Sharma played a significant role in India wresting back control of the first session of the first Test against England in Hyderabad by taking a brilliant catch at first slip of Ollie Pope off Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling.
Ravindra Jadeja managed to get an edge off a defensive shot from Ollie Pope. But because of the lack of pace and bounce in the surface, the ball looked to be dying onto Rohit Sharma at first slip.
However, showing his agility and sharp reflexes, Rohit Sharma bent low and with a swift movement of his hands made a neat pickup of the ball just above the ground, completing a sensational catch. Replays showed that the catch was tougher than it seemed in live action, especially the side angle.
Video: Rohit Sharma took a terrific catch of Ollie Pope, diving low
What a catch by CAPTAIN ROHIT SHARMA.🐐🔥#RohitSharma𓃵 | #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/0LTHIFIPTr
— kepsa (@Kp_bhati45) January 25, 2024
Reply of the Brilliant catch of the@ImRo45 🐯🔥 #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/QBQpaEl5VK
— AdityaVarma (@AdityaVarma45_) January 25, 2024
After Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first, England’s Bazball was on display in the first hour of the game as opener Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett attacked the Indian pacers, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, with their flurry of shots.
Both openers pounced on any error of line of length from the Indian seamers – whether when width was offered or a ball was bowled full, the opening duo, staying true to their Bazball nature, attacked and collected 10 fours combined. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett put an opening stand of 55 runs in 11.5 overs, after which, though, spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja got into the act to take three wickets.
Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow have kept the positive intent going on with their partnership of 48* runs in 77 balls. England go into Lunch at the score of 108/3.
Teams:
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Srikar Bharat(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes(c), Ben Foakes(w), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, Jack Leach
