Despite England's half-century stand for the first wicket, the Indian spinning attack led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja brought the hosts right back into the game. Apart from the highest wicket-taking Indian pair in Test cricket of Ashwin and Jadeja, Axar Patel has also claimed his first wicket in the 5-match Test series against England as he clean-bowled Jonny Bairstow after the lunch break.
ALSO WATCH | Rohit Sharma takes brilliant catch off Ravindra Jadeja's bowling to dismiss Ollie Pope
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's captaincy has been spot on in the ongoing first Test against England as the Indian spinners took the hosts into a commanding position on Day 1 by dismissing the top five England batters. Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja picked two wickets each while Axar Patel dismissed set-batsman Jonny Bairstow after lunch.
In the 33rd over, Axar Patel bowled a tossed-up delivery that beat Bairstow in the air leading to the off-stump. Bairstow tried to play the conventional way of getting the stride down but was deceived by the turn and dismissed for 37 as England went four wickets down at a score of 121 runs. Axar also ended the half-century stand between Bairstow and Joe Root with his first wicket of the match.
Bairstow has faced Axar Patel three times in Test cricket and the 30-year-old all-rounder has dismissed the English batter on all occasions.
Watch Axar Patel bowled Jonny Bairstow out here:
Shortly after Bairstow's dismissal, Ravindra Jadeja picked his second wicket of the match with Joe Root. The England batter tried to sweep the ball and got the top edge to fine-leg where Jasprit Bumrah was placed. Following Root's big wicket, Axar Patel picked up his second wicket as Indian wicketkeeper KS Bharat took a sharp catch of Ben Foakes behind the wickets.
England are currently 140 for 6 after 44 overs with skipper Ben Stokes (9-off-32) and Rehan Ahmed (2-off-4) on the crease. For India, Ashwin, Jadeja, and Axar picked up two wickets each.
(Read Latest Cricket News and Breaking News of Cricket at SportsTiger, also browse Cricket Live Score and Today Cricket Match)