India was bowled out cheaply on Day 1 of the 4th Test against England at the Oval but Shardul Thakur smashed an attacking half-century and changed the whole mood of the game. Indian bowlers made a good comeback with the ball, taking three England wickets before the end of the day’s play. The first day was totally dominated by bowlers. 13 wickets fell on Day 1 as England still trails by 138 runs.
England captain Joe Root won the toss and put the visitors in to bat under overcast conditions. India again struggled against the moving ball in the morning session and lost three wickets for just 39 runs. Virat Kohli played a gritty knock and looked assured on the crease. Robinson dismissed Virat Kohli for the third time in the series with the Indian skipper departing after a well-made fifty. But, then Shardul Thakur played a swashbuckling knock on Thursday and helped India reach a respectable first-innings total. Shardul hit 57 from just 36 balls and added 63 runs partnership for the 8th wicket with Umesh Yadav. Making a comeback after a long time, Chris Woakes picked four wickets and put India on the backfoot.
In reply, India got off to a flying start, removing both openers cheaply to reduce England at 6/2. Joe Root started well again and added 46 runs for the third wicket with Dawid Malan. But Umesh Yadav bowled an absolute pearler to dismiss in-form Root and put India slightly on top after the end of Day 1.
Records Broken
So, let’s take a look at some of the records broken on day 1 of the Oval Test.
1. Virat Kohli becomes the fastest to reach 23000 international runs.
2. Shardul Thakur broke Ian Botham’s record of scoring the fastest fifty in England.
3. This was also the second-fastest fifty by an Indian batsman in a Test match. Kapil Dev holds the record for the fastest Test fifty by an Indian batsman. He had hit a 30-ball fifty against Pakistan in Karachi in 1982.
4. Virat Kohli becomes the first Indian to lead the country in 10 or more Tests outside the home.
5. Virat Kohli now has the most 50+ scores among Indian captains against England in England