Kohli And Shardul Fight Back With Half Centuries As India Again Fails To Score Big

London: Indian batsmen once again surrendered and the team was bowled out cheaply on the first day for the second Test in a row but retained a foothold after taking three England wickets at The Oval, including the all-important wicket of Joe Root. India was all out for 191 and England 53 for 3 trail by 138  runs.

The fourth Test match could not change the fortunes of the Indian team as England captain Joe Root won the toss and without any hesitation put India into bat. His decision was fully supported by the fast bowlers Chris Woakes and Ollie Robinson as they took seven wickets. Virat Kohli (50, 96 balls, 8 fours) scored a second consecutive half-century but India was in all sorts of trouble at 127 for 7, then came Shardul Thakur, who recorded the fastest half-century in a Test in England, batted with aggression and contributed 57 runs off just 36 balls hitting 7 fours and 3 sixes. He added 63 runs off 48 balls for the eighth wicket partnership with Umesh Yadav.

Chris Woakes, playing a first-class game for the first time since August 2020 after missing 11 Tests through isolation, rotation and injury - took four wickets and Ollie Robinson continued his fine summer with three, with England's seamers relentless in reducing India to 127 for 7.

 India: first-innings all out 191 (Shardul Thakur 57, Virat Kohli 50, Chris Woakes 4-55, Ollie Robinson 3-38).

England: first-innings 53 for 3 ( Dawid Malan not out 26, Craig Overton not out 1, Joe Root 26,  Jasprit Bumrah 2-15, Umesh Yadav 1/15).