England’s Openers Struggle at the Start
An eerie silence hung over the stands as England’s third Test innings kicked off with a jolt: both openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, walked back to the pavilion much sooner than anyone in the England camp had hoped. Expectations were sky-high as the duo walked out, but reality struck hard within the opening overs.
Duckett, who has had his share of flashing brilliance mixed with inconsistency, never found his groove this morning. He faced a testing line and length from the Indian new-ball bowlers who seemed to know exactly where to bowl. Using subtle movement, they drew a thick edge from Duckett, and the ball nestled safely into the slip cordon. Crawley, meanwhile, attempted to counter his discomfort by playing positively. That approach, however, backfired as he miscued a drive and was caught brilliantly in the covers. Both dismissals came before England could settle, exposing their middle order to a fresh and fired-up attack.
Early Wickets Set the Tone
Losing two wickets so early in the innings can dent any team’s confidence, but for England, the situation felt even more critical given the formidable home conditions and an Indian bowling lineup known for capitalizing on pressure. With the scoreboard barely ticking past the first drinks break, the team knew that recovery would rest on the shoulders of its experienced middle order.
Behind the scenes, there was visible nervousness. England’s coaching staff made adjustments to strategy, urging the incoming batsmen to dig in and resist the temptation to attack recklessly. The dressing room talk turned serious, reflecting the real risk that a top-order collapse could spiral into a low first-innings total – something visiting teams dread on Indian soil.
For India’s bowlers, the early breakthroughs galvanized the side. The fielders crowded around, hunting for more. By midday, the narrative of the day had changed completely from one of anticipation for England’s openers to resilience and grit required down the order. The Indian seamers and spinners were relentless, keeping the pressure on from both ends, making every run hard-earned.
With Duckett and Crawley gone early, all eyes turned to the likes of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. Would they be able to blunt the Indian attack and steer England out of trouble? The rest of the session demanded composure, patience, and, above all, the ability to ignore the roaring crowd and relentless bowlers breathing down their necks.
The drama of Day One was set in motion by those two quick wickets, reminding everyone just how quickly fortunes can flip in Test cricket. Nobody knows better than England’s openers how unforgiving the format can be, especially when you're facing a world-class attack on their home turf.