India Australia Test Series 
3rd Test Played at Headingly, Leeds 
Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day one 

India 1St Innings 78 All out in 40.4 Overs (Rohit Sharma 19, Ajinka Rahane 18, Extras 16, James Anderson 3/6, Craig Overton 3/14, Olie Robinson 2/16, Sam Curran 2/27) 
England 120/0 (Hasseb Hameed 60*, Rory Burns 52*) 

Wonder how circumstances alter the cases. Only a few days back, an all guns blazing Indian pace attack won the Lords test on the last day, badly bruising and humiliating English batsmen. Yesterday Kohli winning the toss elected to bat on a tricky wicket. Exhibiting his trademark controlled and accurate seam and swing, ageless James Anderson rocked India to 3/21 by the 11th over. His mates, Overton (3/14), Robinson (2/16) and Curran (3/27) then completed total humiliation. India was bundled out to 78 all out. Rohit (19 in 105 balls ) and Rahane ( 16 ) were the only two batsmen reaching the double figures. 9 others could not. Indian batsmen just did not have the skills and temperament against high quality seam and swing bowling in helping conditions. By the time England batted conditions changed. Two lesser-known English openers batting sensibly put together unbroken 120 taking the home team to absolute control. 

One may say Kohli read the wicket wrong. Headingly wicket usually favors seam movement on the first day and gradually turns OK. Perhaps it was a good toss to lose for Joe Root. He might not have opted to bowl being 0-1 in the series.  In any case it remains to be seen how India controls damage as any lead of 200 plus would put England firmly in the driver's seat. 

The way the day panned out cannot resist quoting how Cricinfo at the end of the days play summarized.

"God's own county, they call it, and the Almighty himself could barely have rustled up a better day for England in Yorkshire. India won the toss and then had an absolute shocker with bat and ball: blown away for 78 in 40.4 overs, then unable to take a wicket as England's openers gave the Western Terrace plenty to cheer in the afternoon sunshine. India fans of a pessimistic bent will fear this is where the series again turns against them - having been the better side at Trent Bridge and then audacious winners at Lord's. They're certainly tucked up behind the 8-ball here, but tomorrows a new day and it's the job of Virat Kohli (and Ravi Shastri) to galvanise a response." 

Admit that cricket is a funny game. Miracles do happen. But what happened yesterday was nothing less than a fairy tale. Getting a very formidable Indian batting humiliated like raw novice on any wicket anywhere of the cricket world is like a major Earthquake happening. True the condition was Taylor made for the present day the greatest exponent James Anderson. But England also had horses for the courses for following up what Jimmy started.

But what I could not make out why Indian attack which looked so menacing on the last day at lords could not even make a single break through. They could hardly beat the bat even on a wicket where quality Indian batting had no clue dealing with moving balls? 

World cricket witnessed fascinating contest of bat and ball between Pakistan and West Indies in the two tests. Now in the battle giants it is not less than fairy tale. Keep enjoying the game of glorious uncertainty.

BDST: 1225 HRS, AUG 26, 2021
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