Rahane will have a major role to play in holding one end up, as he did in the second Chennai Test.
India had a near-perfect Day 1 in the pink-ball Test match against England at Motera, Ahmedabad. They first bundled out the visitors for a mere 112 runs; then ended the day at 99/3. The day could have seen the hosts in stronger command had skipper Virat Kohli not been bowled by Jack Leach in the last over of the day. India will now start Day 2 with Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease.
Much of how Day 2 pans out could depend on how effective England’s bowling combination will be. While India went in with two fast bowlers and three spinners, England picked a solitary spinner, in Leach. They seem to have drastically misread the track that has already started showing considerable wear and tear. Of the 33 overs they have bowled so far, Leach (2-27) has sent down 10. He has also been the pick of the English bowlers. In contrast, the England seamers collectively sent down 20 overs for just a wicket, though it can be argued that all three of them created chances.
Leach troubled the Indians with his straighter deliveries, his skiddy sliders and sharp turners. The Englishmen, who failed to pick the variations by the duo of Axar Patel and R Ashwin, will take back some batting lessons from Rohit, who was vigilant and waited for the loose balls. He used his feet well, tried to sweep the faster deliveries by Leach, used his wrists to pull and flick, and ended the day on an unbeaten 57 off 82 balls with the help of nine fours.
The first hour of play on Day 2 will be of importance. The English seamers will look to exploit the conditions as much as possible before the pink SG ball loses its shine further. An early wicket in the day will put the Indians on the backfoot as they aim to take a lead of 200, preferably more.
Rahane will have a major role to play in holding one end up, as he did in the second Chennai Test. Not the most consistent batsman of late, he will need to partner Rohit, who is eyeing another Test hundred at home. Joe Root is likely to bowl in tandem with Leach for most parts, and, if they see through the first hour, India are likely to end Day 2 with a decisive lead.