After winning the toss, England chose to bat first. They had a fast start, then went from 55-0 to 60-3 in a mini-collapse. Batting at no. 5, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root forged a resurgent combination. Reading the length and line of the Indian spinners with confidence, Bairstow contributed a vital 61-run partnership with Joe Root while appearing quite at ease.
India required something exceptional to end the collaboration, and Axar Patel delivered just that. It was a remarkable delivery. Despite bowling from the corner of the crease, Axar landed the ball on the middle stump and still managed to find enough turn to beat the bat.
This was the third time that Axar dismissed Bairstow in Test cricket.
Team India on the top after Bairstow's dismissal
Jonny Bairstow's dismissal opened the floodgates for Team India as Joe Root followed his teammate to the dressing room after being dismissed for 29 runs by Ravindra Jadeja. Axar Patel picked his 2nd wicket of the innings as he dismissed England's wicket-keeper Ben Foakes for just 4 runs.
As we write, England has lost eight wickets for 193 runs. All three Indian spinners have taken 2 wickets each and speedster Jasprit Bumrah has taken one wicket. It will be interesting to see whether England decides to follow its 'Bazball' approach from here on or not.
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