Xtra Time Web Desk: An inspired bowling performance from England led by James Anderson saw India being bundled out for 78 in the first innings on Day 1 of the third test at Headingley on Wednesday. It was the lowest total by India in England since 1952. At stumps the hosts are 120/0, already taken a lead of 42 runs with both openers Haseeb Hameed (60 batting) and Rory Burns (52*) scoring unbeaten half centuries.
Indian captain Virat Kohli’s decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired as England pacers utilized the conditions at Headingley to perfection. Anderson (8-5-6-3) started the wreck by taking the top three Indian wickets. Craig Overton (3/14 in 10.3 overs), Ollie Robinson (2/16 in 10 overs) and Sam Curran (2/27 in 10 overs) kept on the pressure by sharing the remaining wickets. For India Rohit Sharma was the highest scorer with 19 runs from 100 balls. Ajinkya Rahane scored 18 but had it not been for 16 extra runs, the embarrassment would have been more like the Adelaide Test match.
Anderson got rid of an in form KL Rahul in the first over. The owner of 600+ test wickets started with inswingers before unleashing one with a wobbly seam with a hint of outward movement as Rahul went for a drive and became one of the five catches that Jos Buttler took. Cheteshwar Pujara (1) is plain and simple out of form and clueless about his off-stump as a classic outswinger found his edge. The veteran England bowler got the big fish as he dismissed Indian captain for 7 runs, as he joined Nathan Lyon to dismiss Kohli for maximum number of times (7).
Rohit did display impeccable defence but once Rahane was out at the stroke of lunch with Robinson getting one to rear up awkwardly and Rishabh Pant playing away from his body without any feet movement, he didn’t have resources to accelerate.
India lost their last six wickets for 22 runs and this time, the Indian tail had no pleasant surprises in their kitty.