England captain Ben Stokes’ decision to bowl first after winning the toss in the first Test at Headingley on Friday has left many puzzled. Even former England skipper Alastair Cook didn’t hold back in questioning the move.
Speaking to BBC’s Test Match Special, Cook questioned the logic behind bowling first on a sunny day in Leeds. “The fact it’s so hot… If you bowl first and don’t bowl them out, you’re bowling all day. England are guaranteed to bowl all day, and probably a bit tomorrow, looking at the conditions, unless India don’t bat as well as they’ve started.”
“Therefore, you’re backing up. Say India bat 120 overs. They only have to bowl for two sessions (on day two). You feel like you can control the game more if you bat first,” Cook added.
India were 215/2 at Tea with both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill at the crease
As things stand, Stokes’ decision appears to have backfired. After electing to bowl, England conceded 91 runs for the first wicket, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal giving India a strong start. Later, for the third wicket, skipper Shubman Gill and Jaiswal stitched a 129-run stand, leaving England’s bowlers visibly frustrated.
At the end of the second session, India were firmly in control at 215/2 in 51 overs. Rahul got out for 42 off 78 while Sai Sudharsan, at number three, had a disappointing Test debut, managing a four-ball duck.
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