India have asserted dominance over England at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in the first match of the India vs England five-match Test series. After setting a score of 246 runs, with Captain Ben Stokes contributing a resilient 70, England's bowlers faced challenges against the Indian batters. India managed to accumulate 436 runs in 121 overs. Compounding England's difficulties is the news of their specialist spinner Jack Leach sustaining an injury.
The left-arm spinner initially sustained a knee injury while fielding on the first day. Leach faced further issues with his knee during the morning session of the second day. Consequently, he was limited to bowling only 16 overs out of 87, with a maximum of four overs in a spell. Additionally, he had to leave the field for treatment.
"He banged his knee last night, the first dive down at fine leg. Then he banged it again today and it's giving him a little gyp, to be honest. You noticed in the outfield he was a little sluggish trying to get to balls, but he stuck at it and I thought he actually bowled really, really well considering," Jeetan said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Leach Expected To Return In Fourth Innings
Coach Jeetan Patel noted the seriousness of the injury, emphasizing that Leach wouldn't shirk responsibility unless it was significant. Jeetan expressed confidence in Leach's resilience and expected him to return for the fourth innings.
"It must be pretty serious, or serious for him anyway, because the reality is he wouldn't shirk that responsibility. It is sore enough. You watch him in the outfield and I don't think it's a graze. For him to come back and keep bowling the overs he did... I believe he'll be back in the fourth innings," Jeetan stated.
"That's what Jack does for this team, he'll always put in. But it's an bit of a shame from where he's come [recovering from a stress fracture of the back last summer] to dive on one at fine leg and all of a sudden you're hobbling around. He'll be back. He's one of the strongest guys in the team. We've had to share the load and I thought the guys did really well," Jeetan added.
England Start Strong In Second Innings
After dismissing India for 436, England began their second innings strongly, reaching 89 with just one wicket down in 15 overs at lunch on day 3, maintaining an almost run-a-ball strike rate. However, Jasprit Bumrah's outstanding bowling performance in the post-lunch session resulted in India claiming two wickets, with Ben Duckett and Joe Root falling victim to his skills.