Debutant Akash Deep couldn't have asked for a better start to his Test career as he put India on top in the first session on Day 1 of the ongoing Test against England at JCA Cricket Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Thursday, February 23.
England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat first in the crucial Test after losing two consecutive matches in Vizag and Rajkot of the ongoing five-match series.
England were off to a good start to their innings as Zak Crawley led the charge while his opening partner Ben Duckett played as a second fiddle. Crawley heaved a sigh of relief after his potential dismissal by Akash Deep was declared no-ball by on-field as Indian pacer overstepped the crease.
However, Akash Deep continued to keep his head high and bowl in good rhythm as he drew the first blood for Team India by removing Ben Duckett for 11 at 47/2 in the ninth over. In the same over, debutant provided another breakthrough for hosts by removing Ollie Pope for a duck at 47/2.
After missing out on potential wicket of Zak Crawley in the 5th over, Akash Deep managed to get rid of England opener for 42 at 57/3. With three crucial wickets, Akash Deep put India in commanding position in the first hour of the opening session.
Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root steadied England's ship after early collapse
Following Zak Crawley's dismissal, Joe Root was joined by Jonny Bairstow in the middle to take charge of England's innings. The visitors were in pressure situations after they suffered an early collapse in their batting.
Jonny Bairstow, who had an underwhelming series thus far, took on India bowling attack as he shifted his gears to revive England's batting. Bairstow and Root managed to take visitors past the 100-run mark in the 20th over.
The middle-order duo was ensuring no further fall of wickets towards the end of the first session until Ravichandran Ashwin trapped Jonny Bairstow with LBW for 38 at 109/2.
After Bairstow's dismissal, Joe Root was joined by skipper Ben Stokes. However, Stokes didn't stay at the crease for long as he was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja for 3 at 112/5 at the stroke of lunch.
At the end of first session, England posted a total of 112/5 in 24.1 overs , with Joe Root batting on 16. Before lunch, Akash Deep registered the figures of 3/24 with an economy rate of 3.7 in seven overs.
