Sai Sudharshan bounced back into headlines for a brilliant century in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT 2025) match between Saurashtra and Tamil Nadu. The batter scored the century in the second innings while chasing a stiff target of 184 runs. The hundred from Sai brings multiple aspects of his style of batting, which makes him a perfect batter in the Test cricket.

Saurashtra batted first in the match at the Narendra Modi Stadium Ground 'A' in Ahmedabad and registered 183 runs against their 8 wickets. Tamil Nadu batters were struggling from the beginning of the second innings against a strong bowling line-up of the opponent team. Sai Sudharshan appeared as their only hope in the innings to win the match.

The left-handed batter came to open and smacked an unbeaten 101 against 55 deliveries. His innings was decorated with ten boundaries and four over-boundaries. In 18.4 overs, Tamil Nadu chased down the target successfully and won the match despite facing a hideous batting performance from their middle-order batters.

Read More: IND vs SA, 1st T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report & predicted playing XIs

Why is Sai Sudharshan's SMAT 2025 batting worthy of a Test?

If we follow the pattern of Sudharshan's batting, the batter barely likes to play any rash shots, no matter what the situation is. Pressure was mounting on his shoulders when wickets were falling from one end of the crease and he was standing at the other end. In such a situation, a batter has to decide whether to attack or to defend with the hope of protecting the rest of the batting unit. Sudharshan did his job precisely against Saurashtra, as he remained tall on the track and confirmed the victory with only three wickets in hand. It shows his ability to judge and act according to the situation.

Test-worthy characteristics in Sai Sudharshan's batting:

1. Ability to hold

2. Act according to the situation.

3. Avoiding rash shots during crisis moments

4. Ability to understand the situation on the field

5. Perfect counterattacking with the bat

Team India won the second and final Test against West Indies by seven wickets at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday, October 14. With this win, the Shubman Gill-led team completed a 2-0 whitewash over the visitors.

India chased down the 121-run target on Day 5. Earlier, Gill won the toss and chose to bat first. The team declared their innings at 518/5. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal played brilliantly, scoring 175 runs from 258 balls.

Captain Shubman Gill also hit a fine century, remaining not out on 129 from 196 balls. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican took three wickets for the West Indies. In reply, the West Indies struggled with the bat and were bowled out for 248 runs. No batter reached fifty, with Alick Athanaze being the top scorer with 41 runs from 84 balls.

Also Read -Glenn Maxwell picks combined Australia-India-England ODI XI before AUS vs IND 2025 series, featuring six Indian stars

Kuldeep Yadav Shines with the Ball

Kuldeep Yadav was the best bowler for India, taking a brilliant five-wicket haul. The West Indies were asked to bat again as India enforced the follow-on.

The visiting team fought back well. John Campbell scored 115 runs from 199 balls, and Shai Hope made 103 from 214 balls. Justin Greaves remained not out on 50 and built an important 79-run partnership for the last wicket with Jayden Seales.

West Indies were all out for 390 on Day 4. Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah picked up three wickets each in the second innings. Shubman Gill’s team chased down the target easily.

KL Rahul stayed unbeaten with 58 runs from 108 balls, while Sai Sudharsan scored 39 from 76 deliveries. Kuldeep Yadav was named Player of the Match for his excellent bowling performance.

3 Moments That Created a Buzz in the Match

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Run-Out After Mix-Up with Shubman Gill

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s superb knock of 175 runs in the first innings ended with an unfortunate run-out. In the 92nd over, he played a drive toward mid-off off Jayden Seales and set off for a quick single.

Shubman Gill took a few steps forward but then went back to the crease. Jaiswal was already halfway down the pitch when the throw came to the keeper’s end, and he was run out.

He looked disappointed as he missed a well-deserved double century. The run-out became one of the most talked-about moments of the match.

Sanjay Bangar breaks it down, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s run out wasn’t just bad luck, it was a result of Shubman Gill’s selfishness. pic.twitter.com/4elkkFUGJt

— NiiK (@Niiki099) October 11, 2025

2. Sai Sudharsan’s Stunning Catch at Short-Leg

West Indies opener John Campbell was dismissed for 10 runs in the first innings because of a brilliant catch by Sai Sudharsan at short-leg.

In the eighth over, Campbell tried to sweep a ball from Ravindra Jadeja. He made good contact, but the ball went straight to Sudharsan, who caught it while trying to duck.

The ball stuck to his hands, and he took the catch cleanly. Sudharsan left the field afterward for medical attention.

SAI SUDHARSAN WITH A SPECTACULAR CATCH. 🤯pic.twitter.com/OsWITs9vIH

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 11, 2025

3. Shubman Gill’s Follow-On Decision Divides Fans

Some fans were not happy with Shubman Gill’s decision to enforce the follow-on after West Indies were bowled out for 248. India had a lead of 270 runs.  Supporters felt the Indian bowlers had already bowled 81.5 overs and should have been given rest while India batted again. It was also the first time in 10 years that India enforced the follow-on with a lead of less than 300. The last such instance came against Bangladesh in 2015 when India had a lead of 206.

India’s young opener Sai Sudharsan missed out on a maiden Test century by just 13 runs on Day 1 of the second Test against the West Indies at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The left-hander scored a composed 87 off 165 deliveries, but a lapse in judgment cost him his wicket as he was trapped leg-before-wicket by Jomel Warrican.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra analyzed Sudharsan’s dismissal during a discussion on Star Sports, suggesting that the youngster’s limited red-ball experience led to his downfall. Chopra pointed out that Sudharsan might have comfortably dealt with that kind of delivery in white-ball cricket, but the challenge of Test cricket demands a different mindset.

“He doesn’t have sizeable performances in first-class cricket. So he is still a work in progress. When you score 700 runs quickly in the IPL and then play Test cricket, you realize it’s a very different job. His selection in Tests is inspired,  not just because of weight of runs but because of potential,” Chopra explained.

The cricketer-turned-analyst elaborated further, saying: “It was a first-day pitch, but the ball hit the pads because it was an error of judgment or planning. You negotiate that ball very easily in white-ball cricket, but red-ball cricket tests your patience and decision-making.”

Chopra added that Sudharsan, who shared a 193-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, has the temperament for long innings but still needs to adapt to the technical challenges of the longer format, especially when facing quality spin on Indian pitches.

ALSO SEE: WATCH: Sanju Samson's exit confirms! Rajsthan Royals shares emotional video

Parthiv Patel: “He will have to come on the front foot”

Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, who was part of the same discussion panel, echoed Chopra’s views and emphasized the importance of footwork for left-handers facing spin in Indian conditions.

“I am 100 percent convinced that he will have to come on the front foot. You won’t be able to play too much on the back foot. This is the first day’s wicket, by the second or third day, the rough will open up more. Since Sai is tall, he has to take his pad forward to negotiate the spin,” Patel said.

Patel, who also serves as the batting coach for Gujarat Titans, praised Sudharsan’s back-foot shots but cautioned that such an approach could be risky in Tests. “He has hit some beautiful fours off the back foot with a straight bat, but it still looked risky. If you have to be successful against a left-arm spinner, you have to come forward. Even if the ball hits the pad on the front foot, it’s often outside off-stump, but from the back foot, you’re always in danger,” he added.

Despite missing his century, Sai Sudharsan’s 87-run knock, which included 12 boundaries, laid a strong foundation for India as they reached 318/2 at stumps on Day 1. The youngster’s composure at the crease continues to impress, even as experts believe he’s still learning the nuances of red-ball cricket.

With India dominating the opening Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad, attention now turns to Delhi, where the second and final Test begins on Friday, October 10. Among the many talking points ahead of the match is the form of young left-hander Sai Sudharsan, who managed just seven runs in the first innings of his debut Test.

Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now come out in support of the Tamil Nadu batter, urging the Indian team management to persist with him for one more game. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin emphasized the importance of backing young talent and giving Sudharsan the confidence to perform.

“I really hope he capitalizes on that innings in Delhi. He is young, very motivated, and a high-quality player. I hope he gets runs in this game because with the competition that exists in the Indian Test setup, it could get difficult for him if he doesn’t perform here,” said Ashwin. “For that reason, I think this Test match is very, very important. I really hope he plays this Test. They should give him another go.”

Ashwin calls for unchanged XI

Ashwin further suggested that India should stick with the same XI that won convincingly in the first Test, arguing that consistency in selection helps maintain balance and confidence.

“The team that won should remain unchanged. There’s a lot of talk about Sai Sudharsan, but I hope the kid gets another chance. He has batted well in tough conditions in England too. Devdutt Padikkal is breathing very strongly under his neck, but Sai deserves another go,” Ashwin added.

Praise for Sudharsan’s temperament

Ashwin also lauded Sudharsan’s mental strength and composure, acknowledging that while he isn’t privy to the dressing-room dynamics, he believes the youngster has the right temperament for Test cricket.

ALSO SEE: 5 players RCB must retain ahead of WPL 2026 Auction ft. Smriti Mandhana

“Sai Sudharsan is temperamentally very sound. I don’t know what kind of bubble he is in or how the management is treating him, but this series is a golden chance for him to cement his place,” Ashwin noted. So far, Sudharsan has played four Tests, scoring 147 runs at an average of 21.00, with one half-century to his name.

Ashwin recalls Devdutt Padikkal’s impressive showing in practice games

The off-spinner also reflected on Devdutt Padikkal’s performances in the practice match before the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ashwin revealed that both Padikkal and Abhimanyu Easwaran impressed during that game, showing grit against India’s premier fast bowlers.

“We played a practice match in Perth before the Australia series. Devdutt and Abhimanyu Easwaran batted for two hours without losing a wicket against Siraj and Bumrah. Devdutt was unbelievably good,” Ashwin recalled.
“Padikkal is right behind Sudharsan, which is good for Indian cricket. It keeps the competition healthy. But this Delhi Test is very important for Sai Sudharsan.”

Padikkal, who has already featured in two Tests, has scored 90 runs at an average of 30.00, including a half-century. With the series already in India’s control, the second Test offers Sudharsan another chance to prove his credentials at the international level. As Ashwin suggested, a strong performance in Delhi could go a long way in securing his spot in an increasingly competitive Indian batting lineup.

Former India spinner Murali Kartik acknowledged India's remarkable strength in cricket, emphasizing that even established players who have performed extremely well are finding it hard to get into the national team. His comments came after India’s dominant win over Pakistan in their Group A Asia Cup 2025 clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 14. Suryakumar Yadav’s side chased down the 128-run target with seven wickets to spare in just 15 overs.

Kartik pointed out how players like Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, despite their proven talent, missed out on the Asia Cup squad. Sudharsan, the 2025 IPL Orange Cap winner, was one of the most notable omissions. He also highlighted how Punjab opener Abhishek Sharma set the tone against Pakistan by smashing Shaheen Shah Afridi for a six on the very first ball of the innings.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Kartik said, “Just think of the kind of players who are missing out. Somebody like Sai Sudharsan, an Orange cap holder, can’t make the side. Washington Sundar can’t make the side. Ruturaj Gaikwad can’t make the side. Arshdeep Singh can’t make the XI. These are the kind of players you are talking about.”

Kartik on IPL’s Standard vs International Cricket

The former left-arm spinner underlined how India’s fearless approach, especially Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive start, showed the sheer quality in the side. “Just the way they played yesterday. The first ball from Shaheen Shah Afridi is not even a sighter, which Abhishek Sharma needs. He runs down the track. That is the kind of talent you are talking about. Yesterday, India looked possibly the best from the side view. There was no comparison at all,” he said.

See Also: Asia Cup 2025: 'Our main concern is the middle overs' – Bangladesh spin consultant flags key challenge ahead of must-win tie vs Afghanistan

Kartik further argued that the Indian Premier League is more competitive than international cricket. “Just think of the number of sides, and this is no disrespect to any side. We talk about international cricket, which means these are countries playing, and you just take the quality of all the IPL sides 1-10. Think of the 10th team, anybody, that is a year that could go wrong for any franchise, but think of the quality in the 10th-placed side that can actually beat most of the international sides. So IPL is a tough gig. It is tougher than international cricket,” he concluded. India have already sealed their Super-Four spot and will face Oman in their last group match on Friday, September 19, in Abu Dhabi.

BCCI announced the full squad for the Asia Cup 2025. The star studded squad will be led by captain Surya Kumar Yadav with his deputy Shubman Gill. After leading India for a 2-2 against England, the batter was assigned as the vice-captain of India's T20I set-up. For each and every department, Ajit Agarkar led selection committee picked prolific cricketers. But they missed the opportunity to test some other exceptional talents. There are atleast 5 players who could easily fit in the squad. 

5 players who deserved to get a chance in Asia Cup 2025: 

Shreyas Iyer: 2025 has been a brilliant year for the Mumbai-born. After making a brilliant comeback in ODIS, the batter led Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final. Under pressure, he did his captaincy duties using presence of mind brilliantly and performed with consistency with the bat also.In his total 47 T20I innings, the right-handed batter came to bat at various positions in middle order. His inclusion could benifit the team in Asia Cup 2025. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal: Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of BCCI said that the competition was between Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma. They chose Sharma over Jaiswal. The 23-year-old became a reliable opener for all formats. After playing 23 T20Is, the southpaw maintained an average over 36 supported by one century and 5 half-centuries.

Read More: BCCI selector reveals India's probable opening combination for Asia Cup 2025

Sai Sudharsan: One of the best Indian batters of IPL 2025. After playing back-to-back effective innings for Gujarat Titans, the top order batter got a chance to represent India's Test squad. In 15 matches, at an average of 54.21, the emerging batter scored 759 in the season. 

Prasidh Krishna: Krishan discovered himself in a new level in IPL 2025. In 15 matches of Gujarat Titans, the pacer claimed 25 wickets. During India's tour to England for the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, the tall fast bowler played in important role with Prasidh Krishna in the 5th Test to make the scoreline 2-2. 

Yuzvendra Chahal: The experienced spinner played a vital role to take Punjab Kings to the final of IPL 2025. Proving multiple opposing factors wrong, he bagged 16 wickets in 14 IPL 2025 matches for Punjab Kings. 

India's full squad for Asia Cup 2025:

Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

The former Indian opening batter and selector, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, has expressed a different opinion in selecting India’s openers for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the United Arab Emirates, starting from the second week of September. He suggested that Sanju Samson should not open the batting, given his struggles against the short ball.

Samson, who struggled during India’s home series against England earlier this year, has smashed 861 T20I runs in 38 innings, along with the number one T20I batter, Abhishek Sharma, who drilled 535 runs in 16 innings. Srikkanth, however, has backed the Punjab-born in the opening slot.

See Also: Star India players set to miss opening fixture of Duleep Trophy 2025

“Sanju Samson was found wanting against the short ball against England. According to me, it’s doubtful that he will open. If I were a selector, Abhishek Sharma would be my No. 1 choice. No. 2, I would go for either Vaibhav Suryavanshi or Sai Sudharsan. I would have Vaibhav Suryavanshi in my 15-member T20 World Cup squad as well.” Kris Srikkanth expressed on his YouTube channel.  

Kris Srikkanth picks Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Sai Sudharsan for Asia Cup 2025

Srikkanth has gone with Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Sai Sudharsan as India’s two openers for the event. The former is the 14-year-old kid, who smashed 252 runs at a strike rate of 206.55 in his first season of IPL for Rajasthan Royals. Sudharsan, on the other hand, clubbed 759 runs in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 156.17, with six half-centuries and one century.

“Sai Sudharsan is the Orange Cap holder. He has been doing very well, and Yashasvi Jaiswal as well. So, one of Sudharsan, Suryavanshi, or Jaiswal should open with Abhishek. That would be my choice. This is a very competitive world. The choice can be between Samson and Jitesh Sharma as the keeper-batter.” The former Tamil Nadu batter addressed during the interaction.

As of now, the selection committee is expected to pick Samson and Abhishek as the two openers, with Tilka Verma slotted at number three. There are reports of the Test captain, Shubman Gill, making a surprising inclusion in the squad. The selection committee will meet on August 19 to pick the 15-member squad.

India’s Test team is currently navigating a significant phase of change. The departure of senior figures such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin has left notable gaps in the lineup. These retirements mark the end of an era for the side.

With these experienced players no longer in the mix, the team faces the challenge of reshaping its core. New and emerging talents are being given opportunities to step up, but filling the shoes of such legends is no easy task. Leadership, stability, and consistent performances will be key in the coming years.

This period represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Indian cricket. While the team must adapt to life without its long-time stalwarts, it also allows for the development of a fresh group of match-winners. The transition phase will test the squad’s depth and resilience in the longest format.

See Also: [WATCH] Dewald Brevis smashes no-look six during AUS vs SA 2nd T20I match

Team India Needs to Fill Some Blanks:

The rise of promising talents like Washington Sundar and Yashasvi Jaiswal has given India a boost during this transition phase. Their readiness for the longest format has eased some pressure, but gaps still remain, particularly in the batting lineup and pace attack.

Given this situation, Gautam Gambhir and his support staff must focus on selecting the right players to nurture. Backing them consistently and providing enough opportunities will be crucial for these cricketers to prove themselves at the highest level. A steady run in the side will help build confidence, experience, and the stability India needs as it rebuilds for future Test challenges.

Team India Should Support Some Potential Players:

With India’s Test side in a rebuilding phase, certain players deserve consistent support to help them settle and perform. Providing them with time and opportunities will allow their talent to flourish and contribute to the team’s stability. Here are three such cricketers who should be backed strongly during this transition period.

• Prasidh Krishna

Prasidh Krishna has faced criticism for his Test performances, with an economy rate nearing five and a bowling average close to 35. These figures highlight the challenges he has encountered so far, but with the right backing and guidance, he still has the potential to improve and become a more effective contributor to India’s bowling attack.

Prasidh Krishna is still in the early stages of his Test career, with only six matches under his belt. At 29, he entered the international arena with limited first-class experience and has also battled multiple serious injuries. With time and consistent opportunities, he has the ability to develop into one of India’s finest fast bowlers.

He belongs to a rare group of Indian pacers who possess world-class potential. In the recent Test series against England, he recorded the highest average of induced false shots, even surpassing Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. His steady growth in different aspects of bowling makes it crucial for the team management to give him full support and the confidence to perform at the highest level.

• Sai Sudarshan

Sai Sudharsan, who made his Test debut in the recent series against England, scored one half-century in six innings. While he couldn’t fully capitalise on his opportunities, he displayed flashes of his talent and the promise he holds for the future. His performances hinted at the composure and skill needed at the highest level.

A stylish left-hander with a solid technique, Sai is comfortable facing both pace and spin. His experience of producing quality innings in testing domestic conditions makes him a strong contender for the challenging No. 3 spot in Test cricket. With patience and consistent backing, he has the potential to become a dependable pillar in India’s batting lineup.

• Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav boasts an impressive Test record, yet his place in the Indian XI has often been uncertain. The team’s focus on strengthening batting depth has limited his opportunities, preventing him from becoming a regular starter despite his proven skills and ability to make a difference with the ball in longer formats.

Kuldeep Yadav did not feature at all during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, even on surfaces that seemed ideal for his style. As a left-arm wrist-spinner, he has delivered consistently in Tests and has the skill set to win matches in diverse conditions. With proper support from the management, he could establish himself as a game-changer.

After Ashwin’s retirement, Kuldeep was tipped to take on a bigger role in the side. While Washington Sundar’s rise has slightly reduced that expectation, the 30-year-old still brings immense value. If given more responsibility and a consistent run, he has the potential to be one of India’s leading bowling options in the longest format.

India had an impressive run in the recently concluded five-match Test series against England, finishing with a 2-2 draw under Shubman Gill’s leadership, despite missing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While the batting unit performed consistently across the series, former India captain Sourav Ganguly pointed out that the No.3 position appeared slightly vulnerable. He expressed support for young batter Abhimanyu Easwaran to fill that role, following ongoing discussions about his prolonged absence from the playing XI despite being part of the squad in previous tours.

Easwaran has travelled with the Indian team to Australia and England but is yet to make his Test debut. Throughout the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India opted for Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair in the No.3 slot, leaving Easwaran on the bench. Ganguly remains confident that the Bengal cricketer will eventually find a place in the playing XI. With an impressive domestic record of 103 Ranji Trophy matches, Easwaran has scored 7841 runs at an average of 48.7, including 27 centuries, proving his readiness for the big stage.

See Also: Know why Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are unlikely to get selected for India in Asia Cup 2025

“He has age on his side. I still believe he will get his chance. I feel batters like Yashasvi, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja have all got runs. It’s only the No.3 slot that looked a bit fragile. Maybe Easwaran will be tried there,” Ganguly told to The Times of India.

Gautam Gambhir assured my son: Easwaran’s father

Sai Sudharsan, who was preferred over Abhimanyu Easwaran, scored just 140 runs in six innings at No.3, averaging 23.33 and recording two ducks. Meanwhile, Karun Nair, returning to Test cricket after eight years, managed 205 runs from eight innings at an average of 25.62. Easwaran’s father recently disclosed that India head coach Gautam Gambhir has assured his son a fair opportunity when his turn arrives. In the second unofficial Test against the England Lions, Easwaran batted at No.3, scoring 11 and 80, but is still waiting for his maiden India cap.

Easwaran will captain the East Zone in the 2025 Duleep Trophy, a tournament that could further strengthen his claim for a national call-up. India’s upcoming home Test season features series against the West Indies and South Africa, where the No.3 position may again come under scrutiny. With Sudharsan and Nair’s recent struggles, it remains to be seen if the selectors finally give Easwaran his long-awaited opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.

A rain-struck day in London, as it was predicted before. After the 23rd over of Day 1 of the England vs India 5th match of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, the umpire called for lunch as it was raining again. Before that, both England and India created some cheerful moments for the crowd at The Oval.

Sai Sudharsan was batting with confidence on the green surface of The Oval. Before rain pushed the match, he delivered four boundaries, one of those being labelled as 'shot of the day' by the commentator. The left-handed batter played a wonderful half volley against England pacer Josh Tongue, which resulted in a four. After making contact with the bat, the ball swiftly ran to the boundary rope.

No fancy movements, Sudharshan waited for the moment and applied exactly what is written in the textbook. A classic cricketing shot in the Whites.

SAI SUDHARSAN SPECIAL AT THE OVAL. pic.twitter.com/WY7LWXu68m

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 31, 2025

Read More: WI vs PAK Live Streaming Details: Where To Watch West Indies vs Pakistan T20I Series in India?

An important partnership in the making 

The young batter remained unbeaten for 25 after facing 67 balls. His partnership with Captain Shubman Gill is crucial for the team. Gill faced 23 deliveries so far and got 15* runs before rain joined the party. England started the match well and got rid of the openers quickly. Yashasvi Jaiswal went back to the dugout after scoring only 2, and KL Rahul departed for 14 off 40. Rahul was in good touch and used his wrists delicately to perform a flick and a boundary. 

Shubman Gill again lost the toss and allowed Ollie Pope, England's skipper for this match, to announce their decision first. For obvious reasons, Pope voted for bowling first. When England got rid of Rahul, India was 38 for 2. By lunch, the visiting team scored 72 after losing Jaiswal and Rahul. The home team needed only 19 balls to draw the first blood of the match. Gus Atkinson took the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal, while the second came in the form of KL Rahul, struck by Chris Woakes.