A Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin-less India made a good start in the current five-match series against England after India captain Rohit Sharma opted to bat first against Ben Stokes at Headingley, Leeds, in the first Test. India’s opening pair KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal combined caution with aggression to take England’s pace attack comprising Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jos Tongue and Stokes on a tight leash. Watching from the commentary box, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar praised the duo’s disciplined approach against testing conditions.
Manjrekar Praises Rahul and Jaiswal, Takes Subtle Dig at Kohli
Ex-India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar lauded Rahul and Jaiswal for their restraint in not poking at balls that were being delivered outside the off-stump. But in the process, he took a dig at ex-India skipper Virat Kohli, who had hung up his Test boots in May 2025, just days before the announcement of the squad for the England series.
Talking about Kohli, the right-handed batsman was dismissed on all eight instances against Australia in the same manner as he continued to pursue deliveries on the fourth and fifth stump lines. This chink has actually bothered Kohli throughout his career, and in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland actually capitalized upon it to the extent.
Rahul-Jaiswal Display Grit in Headingley Conditions
Talking about the Headingley Test, Rahul and Jaiswal were not looking nervous as the pair showed a clear game plan against England’s pace attack. Rahul and Jaiswal rode out the new ball during the first hour. But the pair were eager for loose balls.
“Deliveries outside the off stump, full, have been left alone. Jaiswal has done that. Anything that has been pitched right up into the stumps, he has driven. Anything that has been wide, he has looked to score on. KL Rahul has not touched one delivery or attempted to play one single delivery that’s been full, just outside off. Anything that has been wide, he has gone with a covered drive,” said Manjrekar while commentating in the first session on Day 1 of the first Test.
“So a lot of what you’re seeing is being created by these two batters, and my hat’s off to them. We know of a former batter who would have gone after that delivery and got himself into trouble. But not these two,” he added.
KL Rahul Falls After Strong Start; Sudharsan and Nair in Line-Up
It should be noted that Rahul’s dismissal finally arrived when he attempted to play a delivery that was well outside off. The right-hander attempted a massive booming drive and lost his wicket to Brydon Carse for 42.
India have given a debut to Sai Sudharsan in the first Test. The left-hander would bat at No.3. Karun Nair has also come back to the Test playing XI after eight years. He would bat at No.6.
Sanjay Manjrekar on India’s Young Batting Core
Sanjay Manjrekar added that this may be a young batting line-up, but all of the members selected in the playing XI possess good technique, which would benefit the team.
“That’s why I believe this is a young batting line-up. But when you look at their batting technique, they have the technique to survive in challenging test conditions. Sai Sudarshan as well. T20 Sensation will come and defend well. Down the order, Rishabh Pant has a good defence,” said Manjrekar.
“Jadeja as well. Karun Nair, I’m not sure how he’ll go. But these two have shown that, for openers, they’re just ideal with their defensive technique,” he added.
Earlier, England skipper Ben Stokes had won the toss and invited India to bat. The hosts are fielding with one spinner, Shoaib Bashir.
