England vs India, 3rd Test, Day 1: 5 Talking Points 

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day One
Kohli changing sides has become very synonymous now

India endured a positive opening day of the third Test of the five-match series at Trent Bridge on Saturday, ending proceedings at 307 for 6 in 87 overs after Hardik Pandya was dismissed at the fag end of the day by James Anderson.

Earlier in the day, home captain Joe Root won the toss and opted to bowl hoping to strike early and peg India back, but the opening duo of Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul began well, putting on 60 runs for the first wicket and the good work done by them was taken forward by Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, whose stand of 159 runs for the fourth wicket laid the foundation for India's score on Day 1.

Chris Woakes was England's pick of the bowlers on the day taking three wickets for his side.

Here are the talking points from the day:


#1 Kohli alters team again

For the 38th time in a row, Virat Kohli altered the side once again, ringing in three changes to the starting XI, bringing in Shikhar Dhawan for Murai Vijay, Jasprit Bumrah for Kuldeep Yadav and then handing a Test debut cap to Rishabh Pant.

It remains to be seen for how long Kohli continues to keep chopping and changing the team and hopefully, the alterations he made on Saturday reap the benefits for India.

#2 Joe Root's decision at the toss

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day One
Has Root called it right at the toss?

Three Augusts ago, England inserted Australia at the very venue and shot them out for 60 runs. Perhaps, anticipating similar conditions on the opening morning that were similar to what had been the case that day was what Joe Root might have anticipated as he put in India to bat after winning the toss.

But after the initial few hours, it seemed like an excellent batting surface as Ajinkya Rahane and Kohli eased themselves later in the day to give India the foundation.

Root would be hoping that at the end of the game, the decision doesn't come back to bite him.

#3 Rishabh Pant shows early promise

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day One
Pant's 1st scoring shot in Test cricket was a six

Pant created history on Saturday when he became the first Indian batsman to get off the mark in his Test career with a six, which came off the second ball of his innings.

During the course of the next few overs, Pant looked comfortable in the middle, ending the day not out on 22 and he will hope to carry on from where he left off on Saturday, the following day.

#4 Chris Woakes shines again

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day One
Woakes was once again England's best bowler on view

The all-rounder backed his man of the match performance at Lord's with yet another fine showing with the ball, claiming three wickets to end the day as his team's best bowler.

The Test at Nottingham might only be his second of the series, but he has already made a significant impact and will look to continue doing that for the remainder of the series.

#5 Rahane finally comes good with the bat

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day One
Rahane looked the player of the old on Saturday

After four straight failures with the bat in this series, Ajinkya Rahane finally came good with the bat on Saturday scoring a fluent 81 in his stand of 159 runs with Virat Kohli.

The spectators witnessed shades of the old Rahane as he drove the ball through the covers and cut the ball with the ease one associated with him. Rahane returning back to run-scoring ways will bring a lot of relief inside the dressing room.

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