When spin claims all 11 wickets on the opening day of a Test, it is not surprising to find the preparedness of the pitch under scrutiny. But the contrasting ways in which the two teams dealt with spin, soon put a lid on the simmering discussion.
After England opted to bat, Kuldeep Yadav and R. Ashwin took turns to claim nine wickets and Ravindra Jadeja made his presence felt by taking out Joe Root as England tumbled from 175 for three to 218.
The gains provided the spinners stood further enhanced after India raced to 135 for one at stumps. Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal posted their first century stand of the season in under 21 overs.
