Follow UsWhen Shubman Gill (147) and Rishabh Pant (134) were going well in the first Test against England at Headingley, India looked set to get to a total of about 550-600. They put on 209 for the fourth wicket, but once Gill was dismissed, India could add only 41 more to their tally and were bundled out for just 471.
Pant looked to take the bowling on, but was forced to curb his instincts after a couple of quick wickets fell. For the first time in this match, there were smiles on the faces of the England players as they managed to knock over the batters with ease. The conditions were bright and sunny when play started, but became overcast as the day rolled on, which further assisted the home pacers.
From India's point of view, they have missed out on an opportunity to bat England out of the match. Had they scored 600 or anywhere closer, they might have done just that.
The platform was set for them to do so. On Day 1, KL Rahul (42) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (101) got their team off to a steady start with a 92-run stand, the highest opening stand for India at Headingley. After Sai Sudharsan was dismissed for a duck, Jaiswal and Gill put on 129, followed by that mammoth stand between Gill and Pant to give India the edge.
However, a four-wicket haul from skipper Ben Stokes and pacer Josh Tongue ensured that England restricted India 471 - at least 100-130 runs less than the total they should have got. 471 is a good total, but given where India were placed heading into Day 2, they would certainly be disappointed with it.
That being said, Indian pacers can make the best of the overcast conditions and look to get early wickets. If they do so, they will feel a lot better about their total.