England vs India 2018, 5th Test: The Kennington Oval, London - Day 1, Lunch Report

While filing the lunch report, England openers finally gave the steady start for England at The Kennington Oval in London on Friday. The southpaw duo Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings stood firm at the crease to tackle Indian bowlers efficiently after winning the toss. However, Ravindra Jadeja’s magic balanced the first session of the England vs India 2018, 5th Test.

Initially, India opted for a couple of changes. The unfit-Ravichandran Ashwin and the all-rounder Hardik Pandya have been left out from the team after faring poorly in the previous game. Meanwhile, they handed the debut cap for Hanuma Vihari.

Hanuma Vihari gets his debut hat:

Hanuma Vihari replaced Baroda all-rounder Hardik Pandya in the side while Ravindra Jadeja grabbed Ashwin’s place. Meanwhile, the triple-centurionagainst the very same opposition, Karun Nair was overlooked again.

On the other side, England opted for the same XI in order to give the grand farewell for Alastair Cook in his retirement test. Ahead of the first over, India gave the guard of honour for Alastair Cook while walking to the middle of the turf.

Meanwhile, it was once again Virat Kohli, who lost the toss. England skipper, Joe Root asked the visitors to roll their arms to the man of the occasion, Alastair Cook and the young Keaton Jennings. Though Bumrah and Ishant troubled with the new ball, English openers hold the crease firmly.

Jadeja Strikes despite England openers’ solid defence:

The English opening duo knocked the sweet spots of the bat to put Indians chasing the leather often than not. However, it needed Ravindra Jadeja’s arm to get the first breakthrough for India in the form of Keaton Jennings.

Moeen Ali walked at number 3 for England and batted through the remaining overs to take the lunch on Day 1 of the fifth Test at The Kennington Oval, London. At the end of the first session, Alastair Cook was batting on 37* and Moeen Ali was batting on 2*.

Brief Scores of England vs India 2018, 5th Test, Day 1 – Lunch Report:

England – 68/1 (Alastair Cook 37*, Jadeja 1/15)

Toss – England won the toss and elected to bat first at The Kennington Oval, London.