Legendary South Africa cricket crew star AB De Villiers took a sly dig at England’s ‘Bazball’ strategy whereas praising India for his or her batting show on Day 1 of the primary Test match in Hyderabad on Thursday. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets every to bundle out England for simply 246 earlier than posting 119/1 in 23 overs. Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal started the innings in aggressive trend and De Villiers mentioned that greater than ‘Bazball’, it was a very good studying of the scenario by the openers.

“India batting at 8/9 rpo (runs per over) at the start of their innings here. You don’t have to call it brave, bold or bazz ball, it’s literally just playing the situation. Identifying moments in a Test match where u can get ahead in the game is what it’s all about. When the momentum shifts, u adapt and absorb for a period and wait for that moment again,” De Villiers posted on X (previously Twitter).

And finally, if you happen to do not respect the totally different moments and momentum shifts within the sport, it is going to find yourself biting u, it doesn’t matter what form of ball you are taking part in

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 25, 2024

The aggressive technique of Test batting known as ‘Bazball’ (named after the nickname of England coach and former New Zealand cricket Brendon McCullum” dominated headlines ahead of the series. However, apart from Ben Stokes, not a single England batter was able to cross the 50-run mark against India.

Jaiswal was batting on a 70-ball 76 while Shubman Gill was unbeaten on 14 at the end of the day’s play, as India trailed by 127 runs after losing skipper Rohit Sharma (24).

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat first.

The visitors were off to a decant start with openers Zak Crawley (20) and Ben Duckett (35) adding 55 runs at a fairly good pace before Ravichandran Ashwin gave India their first breakthrough by having Duckett trapped in front of the wicket.

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 earlier than he was performed in by a lovely supply from Axar Patel (2/33).

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin bagged three wickets apiece whereas there have been two every for Axar and Bumrah.

(With PTI inputs)