England came through on the first day of the fourth test against India on Friday, thanks to an 86-run partnership between Joe Root and Ben Foakes that saw the visitors reach 198 for five at tea.
Despite being criticized for their flashy batting style after being thrashed in the third test, England had collapsed to 112-5 when Root and Foakes salvaged the innings.
With Foakes on 28 at the other end, Root was batting on 67 at the half.
While India’s seamer Akash Deep ruined England’s top order, skipper Ben Stokes of England was left to regret choosing to bat first.
Pace leader Jasprit Bumrah was able to take a break thanks to the hosts’ 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
The right-arm seamer impressed immediately, sending opener Zak Crawley’s off-stump cartwheeling in his second over though the celebrations for his maiden test wicket were cut short when the no-ball siren went off.
The seamer soon got over that disappointment by striking twice in three balls.
Akash dismissed Ben Duckett caught behind for 11 with an angled delivery that prompted a tentative prod from the opener.
Two balls later, Ollie Pope stepped out but was rapped on his pad. The England vice captain was initially adjudged not out but India reviewed the decision and had him dismissed lbw.
Crawley went after Mohammed Siraj, hitting the bowler for three fours in a row and following that up with a huge six.
Enter Akash, who ended Crawley’s run-a-ball 42 by hitting the top of his off-stump.
Jonny Bairstow (38) has been unusually subdued in the series and he squandered another start by attempting a sweep shot against Ravichandran Ashwin only to be dismissed lbw.
Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Stokes lbw for three with the final delivery of the session with a ball that stayed low, highlighting the nature of the surface.
Root and Foakes denied India a wicket in the second segment to drag England back into the contest.
England leg-spinner Rehan was returning home for personal reasons.
