ENG vs IND 2018: Intent Shown By Our Batsmen And The Front Foot Defense Was Solid, Says Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar lauded the Indian batsmen for their fine show on day one of the third England vs India Test at Trent Bridge.

The equation was simple for India after Joe Root invited them to bat first. Another poor batting show would have very much ended the series in this very game. However, the Indian batsmen learned from their mistakes in the first two games and showed remarkable discipline to bat India to a good position.

Shikhar Dhawan, recalled in place of Murali Vijay, scored 35 and added 60 with KL Rahul (23), India’s best opening partnership of the series. They saw off James Anderson and Stuart Broad to set the platform. Chris Woakes then threatened to trigger a collapse by taking three quick wickets. He dismissed both the openers and Cheteshwar Pujara to leave India reeling at 82 for 3. But that was the only time England were on top on day one.

The second session belonged entirely to India. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane put India to a good position by stitching together an unbeaten partnership of 107 runs. Both the batsmen had raced away to their fifties when tea was taken. Both the batsmen were looking set for their respective tons. However, Rahane missed it by 19 runs while Kohli missed it by just 3 runs. But India, nonetheless, finished the day on a commanding 307 for 6.

Debutant Rishabh Pant provided the icing on the cake by his attacking display towards the end, scoring 22 not out after getting off the mark with a six.

And as the game ended, Tendulkar took to Twitter to lavish praise on India, singling out the likes of Kohli, Rahane and Pant for their fine show.

“What I liked in this innings was the intent shown by our batsmen and the front foot defense against the English pacers was solid. Wonderful partnership by @imVkohli and @ajinkyarahane88. @RishabPant777 should continue being positive and set the platform,” he tweeted.

What I liked in this innings was the intent shown by our batsmen and the front foot defense against the English pacers was solid. Wonderful partnership by @imVkohli and @ajinkyarahane88. @RishabPant777 should continue being positive and set the platform. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/HCsfZJgSwS

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 18, 2018