First Session, Day 1, Edgbaston: India decently placed on 98, while England pick up 2 wickets

Sports News: After being asked to bat first by Ben Stokes, India batted decently. One of the four centurions in the previous match, KL Rahul, fell cheaply, scoring just 2 off 26 deliveries. While looking to tentatively defend the ball, Rahul edged the ball back onto the stumps off Chris Woakes. His opening partner, Yashasvi Jaiswal, stitched a much-needed 80-run partnership with no. 3 batter Karun Nair, helping India to get to 98-2 at lunch on day 1. Fast bowler Woakes and Brydon Carse picked up a wicket each.

Jaiswal on the charge!

The left-handed opening batter reached his half-century in style off just 59 balls. His partnership with Karun was much needed for India because the experienced KL Rahul was dismissed cheaply. Currently batting at 62*, the southpaw hit eleven boundaries. Jaiswal scored the runs quickly and did not let the pressure come to India. He hit three consecutive boundaries against short-pitched deliveries off Josh Tongue in the 22nd over.

Karun's failure to make it big

Karun Nair batted at no. 3 for India for the first time in his Test career. In the last match, the right-handed batter came in at no. 6. The exclusion of Sai Sudarshan made him bat higher up the order this time. The batter was looking well set with a compact defensive technique, tiring out the English fast bowlers. Nair scored five boundaries in his short stay of 31(50). Trying to defend a short ball, he ended up nicking the ball to Harry Brook at second slip off Carse, two overs before lunch.

In comes Skipper Gill!

After the fall of the second wicket before lunch, Indian captain Shubman Gill arrived at the crease. After having scored a fine century in the first innings of the previous test match, the Indian skipper will be expected to do wonders once again. He is currently batting on 1(6)* alongside his young teammate Jaiswal. Both of them would ensure to add crucial runs without any losses.