India vs England 2016: 4th Test, day 1 - 5 Talking Points

England ended day 1 of the fourth Test in Mumbai at 288/5 courtesy a fine hundred by debutant, Keaton Jennings, and Moeen Ali, who in the absence of Mohammad Shami, his nemesis in this series, made a half-century. A few late wickets from Ashwin pegged back England, and they fell from 2-230 to 5-249.

Opting to bat first, Cook and Jennings compiled a 99-run opening stand. Cook and Root, however, fell in quick succession and Jennings was left to form a partnership with Ali. The duo fought through tough periods and reached their respective landmarks to help England dominate two sessions of play on day 1.

The pitch took more turn as the day progressed and Ashwin, a wily customer when conditions are in his favour, dismissed Ali, Jennings and Bairstow in quick succession to even out the honours for the day.

Here are the talking points from day 1 of the fourth Test at Mumbai.

---

#5 Jennings sizzles on debut

The young left-handed opener joined a rather long list of centurions on debut by compiling a fine hundred, overcoming tough conditions and some nerves. He was assured in defence and confident in his strokes, even reverse sweeping with authority against Jayant Yadav and Jadeja.

A reverse sweep brought up his hundred, his 13th First-class ton. His stillness at the crease and calm influence were reminiscent of Alastair Cook's debut in India many years back. The leftie became the eighth England opener to score a hundred on Test debut.

He became the fourth opener to score a hundred against India on debut and notched up the highest score (112) on the list, beating Gordon Greenidge's 107 in 1974-75.

#4 Paul Reiffel's freak injury

Paul Reiffel collapses after being struck on the head

Paul Reiffel, officiating as the onfield umpire in the Wankhede Test, had to be taken off the field after being hit on the head by a throw from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He was sent to the hospital for scans and was advised to rest for the day.

The incident occurred in the 49th over of England's innings, when Jennings hit a ball past square leg. Bhuvneshwar, standing at deep square leg, attempted to lob a throw to Pujara, who was between Reiffel and the stumps. The throw was nowhere near Pujara and came down on Reiffel, who was warned late to duck. The ball went on to hit him in the sensitive area behind the head.

Marais Erasmus, the third umpire for the game, took his place as he walked off for a medical examination. C Shamshuddin, who was in the stadium to train local umpires was moved into the third umpire's seat.

#3 Ashwin pegs England back with three late wickets

Ashwin spins a web around England late on

Jennings and Ali negotiated Jadeja and Ashwin fairly well, leaving the Indians scratching their heads at the end of the first session. The ball started taking more turn as the day progressed and Ashwin became more difficult to handle.

He got a freebie as Moeen tried to slog him in the 71st over only to top edge to Karun Nair at mid-wicket. He had Jennings caught at gully by Pujara two balls later and added the wicket of Bairstow, who tried to sweep him but was caught at deep square leg.

Ashwin finished the day with 4/75, and looks set to add another five-wicket haul to his stats on Day 2. He found turn and bounce after the first session and kept a check on the England batsmen.

#2 Buttler's improved show

Jos Buttler toned down his attacking instincts

Jos Buttler walked in late in the day with England at 249/5 after 80.2 overs. He started by edging a few but grew in confidence after which he began stepping out and defending spinners before the ball could do its thing.

More renowned for his ability to smash spinners after stepping out, Buttler played according to the situation, understanding that England needed to survive the day without further damage. He showed good skills by smothering the spinners down the ground or defending them with his head close to the ball.

He remained unbeaten on 17 off 35 balls, and stretched the partnership with Stokes to 39. Importantly, the duo ensured England did not lose any more wickets on day 1 as they survived 14 tricky overs.

#1 England well set for challenging total

Cook got his side off to a solid start

Opting to bowl first, India were left chasing the game all through day 1 after Jennings and Cook and later Jennings and Moeen compiled important partnerships.

At 230/2, England looked like ending the day on a high note but Ashwin's burst late in the day ensured honours were even. That said, at 288/5, England look set to get to 350+, which is a good total in India batting first. Rarely have teams lost in India after crossing 400 in the first innings.

While the landmark is still a long way away, England have a more than decent lower order comprised of a handful of all-rounders and it will be a surprise if they cannot cross 400 from here.