India has clearly taken the driving seat In Hyderabad's spin-friendly wicket, as the formidable spin trio of Axar-Ashwin-Jadeja rudely awakened England's batsmen, limiting them to 246 on the first day of the opening Test. After Opting to bat first, English skipper Ben Stokes hoped to capitalise on a fresh pitch. However, England struggled against the spin on a surface offering turn as early as from the ninth over of the first session.

Captain Stokes top-scored with 70 off 88 balls and was the last English wicket to fall, bowled by Jasprit Bumrah (28). Jonny Bairstow contributed 37 off 58 balls before he was done in by a beautiful delivery from Axar Patel (2/33). Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin bagged three wickets apiece while there were two each for Axar and Bumrah.

Ashwin-Jadeja surpasses Harbhajan-Kumble pair

Earlier, In a historic feat, Team India's formidable spin duo, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, etched their names in the record books by surpassing the legendary pair of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. The momentous occasion unfolded during the first day of the 1st Test against England in Hyderabad, where Ashwin and Jadeja combined forces to claim the first three wickets of the match. This outstanding performance propelled the spin maestros to a remarkable milestone of 503 wickets as a bowling pair, eclipsing the prior record held by Kumble and Harbhajan, who had scalped 501 wickets together. The achievement underscores the dominance and synergy exhibited by Ashwin and Jadeja, establishing them as one of the most potent bowling partnerships in Indian cricket history.

Ashwin started the trouble by dismissing Ben Duckett (32), who misjudged the spin. Despite a brisk start at five runs per over, England stumbled after the opening partnership.

Axar bowled Jonny Bairstow with a fantastic delivery, ending a 61-run partnership with Joe Root. Root's dismissal, attempting too many pre-meditative sweeps, hurt England. His top-edge off Jadeja was safely caught by Jasprit Bumrah.

In challenging situations like this, even a warrior like Stokes can only contribute so much to make England's total respectable. The Indian spinners dominated, reminding England of the formidable challenge ahead in the Test series.

In challenging situations like this, even a warrior like Stokes can only contribute so much to make England's total respectable. The Indian spinners dominated, reminding England of the formidable challenge ahead in the Test series.

India retains pace duo for series opener against England

India picked a three-pronged spin attack but did not completely disregard the need for speed against England in the opening test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday.

England captain Ben Stokes, who elected to bat after winning the toss, took a gamble by going into the match with Mark Wood as the lone fast bowler in their spin-heavy attack.

Jack Leach leads their spin department which also includes teenager Rehan Ahmed, who has played one test, and debutant Tom Hartley.

Part-timer Joe Root is their fourth spin option.

India retained the pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj while picking three specialist spinners.

All-rounder Axar Patel pipped Kuldeep Yadav to join Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in India's spin attack for the first match of the five-test series.

"You're not sure what you are going to get, so bat and get a big score," Stokes said at the toss.

"We know the challenge India presents but this is an opportunity to do something special."

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said they too would have liked to bat first.

"The pitch looks dry. We understand what we need to do and we've got the skills, got guys who can do the job," Rohit said.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said they too would have liked to bat first.

Scoreboard

England 1st innings: Zak Crawley c Siraj b Ashwin 20 Ben Duckett lbw b Ashwin 35 Ollie Pope c Sharma b Jadeja 1 Joe Root c Bumrah b Jadeja 29 Jonny Bairstow b Patel 37 Ben Stokes (c) b Bumrah 70 Ben Foakes c Bharat b Patel 4 Rehan Ahmed c Bharat b Bumrah 13 Tom Hartley b Jadeja 23 Mark Wood b Ashwin 11 Jack Leach not out 0 Extras: (LB-1, NB-2) 3 Total: (All out in 64.3 overs) 246 Fall of wickets: 1-55, 2-58, 3-60, 4-121, 5-125, 6-137, 7-155, 8-193, 9-234, 10-246.

Bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 8.3-1-28-2, Mohammed Siraj 4-0-28-0, Ravindra Jadeja 18-4-88-3, Ravichandran Ashwin 21-1-68-3, Axar Patel 13-1-33-2. More PTI AYG AT AT

Teams:

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Srikar Bharat (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Johhny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (captain), Ben Foakes(wicketkeeper), Rehan Ahmed, Mark Wood, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in Hyderabad; editing by Peter Rutherford)

(With inputs from PTI and Reuters)