Opener Ben Duckett believed that England's first innings total of 246 was above par and said they were not expecting Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma to play belligerent cricket from the word go on the first day of the first Test in Hyderabad on Thursday.

Just before the start of India's innings, the fan, wearing a jersey with 'Virat' on the back, ran to the pitch and touched Rohit's feet. The cameras were panned on Rohit who just looked at the fan and said, 'Kya yaar?'

IMAGES from the 1st Test, Day 1 between India and England played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, on Thursday

During the first Test against England in Hyderabad, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja surpassed the iconic pair of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh as the most successful Test bowling duo for India.

India skipper Rohit Sharma already stated that the way England plays isn't their concern but the sub plot of the five-match series will be England's 'Bazball' vs India's spin.

The consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya saw different kinds of celebrations across the country. This was one of them.

The legendary Anil Kumble has termed England's bowling attack for the opening Test against India, starting in Hyderabad on Thursday as "highly inexperienced", while predicting a comfortable 4-1 win for the hosts in the five-match series.

England's Pakistan-origin off-spinner Shoaib Bashir was on Wednesday granted visa to play in the five-match Test series against India, ending a "frustrating" wait for the visiting side whose captain Ben Stokes felt "devastated" by the delay.

It was a headache to decide between Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav as third spinner: Rohit Sharma

The UK government on Wednesday stated that India should treat British citizens "fairly" when they apply for visas after off-spinner Shoaib Bashir's arrival for the five-match Test series was delayed due to lingering issues relating to his travel documents.

Can the subcontinent giants maintain their 12-year invincibility?

The last time England toured India, back in early 2021, Joe Root's team went back home beaten and bruised 3-1.

Bashir, who is of Pakistani heritage, travelled with the squad to Abu Dhabi where England trained before the team arrived in India for the five-Test series beginning in Hyderabad on Thursday.

The first Test between India and England will start in Hyderabad from Thursday, and Rohit said his primary focus is the strategies of his side.

Mohammed Siraj believes England's much-hyped 'Bazball' strategy won't work in Indian conditions

Parinav's mother, who had earlier posted a video urging him to return home, which was also widely circulated in the social media, has now posted another video, thanking all those who helped them find the boy, a class 6 student, who has been handed over to Nampally railway authorities.

Kuldeep disclosed a lesser-known passion for art during the nationwide lockdown four years ago.

Shubman Gill was conferred with the Polly Umrigar Best Men's International Cricketer of the Year award for 2022-23.

Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the first Test against England?

Ravi Shastri said that it was a touching moment for him to get bestowed with the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.

'I can only advise the England batters to play with a straight bat.'

India's bid to win a 17th consecutive home Test series, however, hinges on the success of their three-pronged spin attack comprising Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.

Shubman Gill struggled for consistency last season, scoring just 304 runs from seven Tests at an average of 27.

'But it might spin a little bit certainly as the game goes on.'

Head coach Rahul Dravid did not see Indian batters replying to England's 'Bazball' in kind but he said they will not be taking a backward step in the five-match Test series beginning in Hyderabad from Thursday.

'Rahul will not be the 'keeper during this series. We will go with another 'keeping option considering the five matches and the weather,' Rahul Dravid reasoned ahead of the opening Test in Hyderabad.

England fast bowler Mark Wood on Tuesday said taming Rohit Sharma with judicious use of short-pitched balls will figure highly in his and the team's plans to edge past a dominant-at-home India in the upcoming five-match Test series.

'At every venue, how many runs they get in the first innings, will be crucial.'

England captain Ben Stokes underwent surgery in November for his long-standing left-knee problem.

Shoaib Bashir, who is of Pakistani heritage, is one of three uncapped players named in the England squad for the Test series in India.

Shubman Gill will be presented with Cricketer of the Year award.

The plus point for Kuldeep Yadav is his ability to extract turn and bounce.

The BCCI urged the fans and media to refrain from speculating about the reason for his forced break. The five-match series begins in Hyderabad on January 25.

Ever since Rohit took on the role of an opener in Tests, he has achieved notable success, including scoring impressive centuries in challenging conditions.

Alastair Cook worries over England's lack of preparation but backs Bazball for success in India

The Opposition's stand on the Ayodhya consecration is puzzling. Their only objection seems to be that the BJP has hijacked a religious event for political benefit. In saying this, the Opposition is either being naive or hypocritical, argues Jyoti Punwani.

Ahead of the first Test against England, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has started sweating it out in the nets.

Taken from the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite hovering over space, the image shared by ISRO on Sunday shows the grand new temple which will be inaugurated on January 22.

England's Harry Brook will miss the five-match Test series against India as the middle-order batsman will return home with immediate effect because of personal reasons, the ECB announced on Sunday.

Sunil Gavaskar has backed 'Viratball' to counter England's much talked about 'Bazball'