STUMPS - DAY 1

England 311-4 (93 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

A good opening day with the bat for England as they post 311 for four in 93 overs after electing to bat on a flat wicket at the SCA stadium in Rajkot.

Moeen Ali was unbeaten on a fine innings of 99, having hit nine fours, while Ben Stokes had made 19 from 41 balls.

Joe Root hit a fluent 124, putting on 179 runs from 290 balls for the fourth wicket with Moeen before he was out in controversial circumstances.

That was the only one wicket to fall in the last two sessions after India had claimed three wickets in the morning session despite dropping as many as three catches.

Ashwin struggled hard for his two wickets from 31 wickets, giving away 108 runs, while Jadeja took one for 59 in 21 overs and Yadav got one for 68 in 18.5 overs.

England would look to continue their good batting performance on Day 2 and look to post somewhere around the 450-run mark, while India would be eyeing a few quick wickets early on the second day.

STUMPS - DAY 1

England 311-4 (93 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

The good news for India is that Shami is fit to resume bowling after suffering some pain in his hamstring area earlier in the day.

He bowls a full inswinging delivery to Moeen, who is beaten but the ball is doing too much and the LBW appeal is turned down.

Apparently, Shami is not looking too good as he continues to feel his hamstring area and calls the physio after bowling just four deliveries. This not looking good for India and captain Virat Kohli will wonder whether to take the new ball immediately or tomorrow morning.

But he is fit to continue after physio Patrick Farhat attends to him and sends down the last two deliveries at a good speed.

Yadav bowls a good delivery to Stokes, extra bounce and moves away slightly to beat the left-hander. Later in the over, he again beats Stokes and appeals for caught behind but the umpire is not interested. Yadav ponders over using the DRS but the wicketkeeper and slip cordon don't seem that confident.

India taking a risk with Shami as the pacer continues to bowl despite some hamstring issues with some reverse swing on offer.

Stokes gets a single to get off the mark and end the sequence of three ducks against India. The left-hander then pulls a short ball from Yadav behind square on the leg side for a four.

Shami continues to bowl with the physio waiting on the sidelines. A single to Moeen off the last ball of the 86th over takes his score to 90 as he closes in on a well deserved century.

India are still not taking the second new ball, trying to make most of some reverse swing on offer and try to claim another before stumps.

Yadav bowls him with one that moves away as Moeen goes after it but misses. However, he gets the next off the middle, driving it through the covers for a four and again keeps strike with one from the last ball.

Ashwin comes back, replacing Shami, who bowled a few overs despite the hamstring niggle. He gets Stokes to edge one which goes past the slip fielder for a couple of runs.

In Ashwin's next over, Stokes comes down the track and lofts him over mid-on for a six. A couple of deliveries later, Stokes comes down the track and is beaten but uses his pads to defend as Ashwin appeals for LBW but the others around the bat are not so interested.

Leg-spinner Mishra to bowl what could be the final over of the day. Moeen takes a single to move to 97 before the veteran bowls a half tracker which is pulled square on the leg side for a four.

Mishra gets one through the legs of Stokes who tries to defend the googly but gets it on his pads and it passes close to the stumps.

There is still time for one more over, the 92nd of the day, to be bowled by Ashwin.

Moeen seems to have shut shop and is defending watchfully against Ashwin, who has a fielder placed at long-on and long-off.

The left-hander comes down the track but is struck on the pads for another appeal for LBW before he keeps strike with a single from the last ball.

However, there is still time for another over with one minute left for stumps, giving Moeen another chance to get to his century.

Mishra bowls a full toss which Moeen mistimes but manages to get it over the bowler's head for just a single.

Sunil Gavaskar on BBC claims the catch was clean since Yadav had it in his hands for 'enough time'.

"Yadav caught it, threw it up and because he wasn't able to recover it, there was a question mark but he had the ball in his hands for enough time."

England 281-4 (80.5 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

India bring back Yadav but don't take the second new ball straightaway. Interestingly, while Ashwin and Jadeja have bowled 28 and 21 overs respectively, leg-spinner Mishra has bowled just eight overs of the 80 overs.

Yadav seems to have got the wicket of Root, who is caught and bowled but the pacer seems to put down the catch while celebrating.

The Indians are appealing that the bowler had completed the catch and spilled it while celebrating as the decision is referred to the third umpire.

The soft signal is OUT and umpire Rod Tucker is going through a few replays before staying with the on-field's umpire call.

Yadav looked to have caught the ball cleanly and in the process of throwing the ball up in celebration he spilled it.

Root walks back after a superb innings 124 from 180 balls, having hit 11 fours and a six, after he put on 179 runs for the fourth wicket with Moeen to put England in control.

A very important breakthrough for the Indians and that should lift their spirits in the last hour of the day.

England 278-3 (80 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Moeen looking to be positive against Ashwin as he lofts a full delivery over midwicket for a four. He comes down the track to the next ball but can't beat the fielder inside the ring on the leg side.

Moeen then picks up a single to bring up England's 250, in the 74th over.

Jadeja looking to keep it tight as he bowls it full and flat and rushes through his 19th over.

Moeen again gives Ashwin the charge and lofts him over mid-on for another four as Kohli immediately pushes the fielder back to long-on. That boundary brings up the 150-run stand for the fourth wicket between Mooen and Root from just 257 balls.

India desperately need a breakthrough or this partnership could place England in a really strong position by stumps on Day 1.

England seem to be targetting Ashwin as Root this time plays the reverse sweep for a four through thirdman.

In his next over, Moeen lap sweeps Ashwin fine on the leg side for three runs before Root repeats the shot and gets it over the ropes for a four.

Not a good day for Ashwin, atleast the two sessions, when he has been easily dealt with by the two English batsmen.

Moeen pulls Jadeja uppishly on the leg side for a single and Root takes one too before the former comes down and drives the spinner through the covers for another single off the last ball.

Ashwin bowls it short as Moeen can't beat the fielder at point but he gets the next one perfectly in the gap in the covers for a four. Both batsmen have got the better of Ashwin and scored runs freely against the premier off-spinner.

England are 278 for three in 80 overs with the second new ball available for the Indians.

Root is batting superbly on 123 and Moeen, batting on 83, is also closing in on his century with the stand worth 176 runs now.

England 240-3 (72 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Yadav gives some width as Moeen throws his bat at it, slashing it past point as Pujara at thirdman fails to spot it but anyways it would have gone for a four.

Jadeja replaces Yadav as Root comes down the track to the left-arm spinner and lofts him straight back over his head for a six followed by two more singles.

Moeen comes down the track to Ashwin but is beaten as the Indians appeal for the LBW but the umpire is not interested and suggests there could have been an inside edge.

England 222-3 (68 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Good news for India as Shami comes back on the field after going off in the second session after picking up some injury while bowling an over.

Moeen slog sweeps Ashwin but fails to time it properly for a single on the leg side and Root picks one to long-on for one.

Moeen turns Ashwin on the leg side as it goes right between the legs of Pujara at short leg.

Root sweeps the last ball of the over for two runs on the leg side to bring up his century from 154 balls.

A superb century from the right-hander, his third against India, to continue his amazing run of scores against them.

England 215-3 (66 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Pacer Yadav to kick off proceedings in the final session on Day 1. He is keeping it full and trying to get some reverse as Root defends the first two balls before taking a quick single on the off-side and Moeen Ali also takes one from the next.

A full delivery on the toes is flicked to deep square leg by Root for two runs to take his score to 96, just a boundary away from his century.

Ashwin from the other end as Moeen hits a nice drive through the covers for two runs to bring up his fifty, from 99 balls.

TEA - DAY 1

England 209-3 (64 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

The session belonged to England as they scored 107 runs in 31.3 overs with Root leading the way. The right-hander was unbeaten on a good innings of 93 from 144 balls and was untroubled all through the post-lunch session.

He got good support from Moeen, who made 48 not out, as the duo put on 107 from 189 balls for the fourth wicket to drive England forward in the second session.

India's bowlers toiled hard in the post-lunch session but Root and Moeen batted relatively untroubled and kept the runs coming at a good rate.

Shami going off with what looks like some hamstring injury will also be a cause of worry for the Indians, who will be looking at a few wickets in the post-tea session.

TEA - DAY 1

England 209-3 (64 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

India need a few tight overs to build the pressure, atleast on Moeen, who seems keen to keep the runs coming from his end.

Four dot balls in a row before he takes a risk, sweeping Jadeja against the line behind square on the leg side for a four.

Two singles off Mishra, in the 60th over takes Root into the 90s as he looks set for another century against India.

Shami comes back and he looks to have pulled up with some pain in his hamstring and calls out for the physio. He goes off the field for some treatment as Yadav comes back, to complete the 61st over.

With team time approaching, Ashwin is called back. Moeen straightaway goes after India's premier spinner, coming down the track and lofting him straight over mid-on for a four followed by three singles to make it seven from the over.

Root has a huge appeal for leg before wicket turned down. He was hit on the pads by an incoming delivery from Yadav as umpire Chris Gaffaney turns down the appeal as the Indians take the DRS.

The ball tracker shows the ball is clipping the outside half of the leg stump and the review stays with the umpire's original decision which was not out.

India have lost their first review but overall it was a good referral by the hosts and they nearly bagged the key wicket of Root, who is batting in the 90s.

England 191-3 (58 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Mishra gifts root a full toss which Root dismisses through square leg for a four, he has looked in control since the start.

Moeen has proved to be a good partner at the other end, defending solidly while taking the singles regularly to keep the scoreboard moving and also the majority of the strike to Root.

Root turns Mishra on the leg side for a couple before he sweeps the next ball fine for three runs. Mooen picks a single and Root again picks Mishra through the leg side for two runs as the leg-spinner struggles to find his rhythm.

However, in the next over Mishra bowls a perfect leg-spinning delivery, flighted and full, driving Root forward who is beaten by the turn. He sweeps the last ball for two runs on the leg side.

Jadeja builds the pressure on Moeen with three dot balls in a row before the left-hander plays the paddle sweep for two runs over the keeper.

Mishra bowls another full toss which Root sweeps over midwicket for a four as the leg-spinner continues to dish out freebies. In a bid to stop the flow of runs, Mishra switches to round the wicket but again he is on the pads as Root flicks him to deep square leg for one.

England are looking good on 191 for three in 58 overs with Root on 88 and Moeen Ali on 36.

England 158-3 (50 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Yadav looking for the reverse overpitches it slightly as Root confidently strides forward and play an elegant drive through the covers for a four and two balls later picks a couple on the off-side as England continue to make good progress in the post-lunch session.

The visitors have successfully managed to play a spell from Ashwin after the lunch break with nothing much happening for the Indian spinner.

He is replaced by Jadeja, who claimed the wicket of Cook in the morning session, infact was lucky to get leg before wicket to a delivery looking to be sliding down.

A single each for the two batsmen off Jadeja's new over before three runs come from the next bowled by Yadav.

The pitch has gone completely flat and Root and Moeen are looking quite comfortable and collecting runs easily.

Spin from both ends as leg-spinner Mishra replaces Yadav after the drinks break. Root sweeps the first ball fine on the leg side for two runs.

After 50 overs, England have reached 158 for three with Root on 63 and Moeen on 28 with the fourth wicket stand worth 58 now.

England 138-3 (43 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

India have Ashwin bowling after the lunch break with a pacer at the other end. A few overs from Shami before he makes way for Yadav as the fast bowlers look for some reverse swing but nothing much for them yet.

Moeen Ali has looked quite comfortable, especially against Ashwin and has got off to a good start.

Meanwhile, Root brings up his half-century from 72 balls with a single on the leg side off Ashwin, in the 43rd over.

Root continues his good record against India, having hit atleast a half-century in all seven Tests he has played against India for an average of over 100.

LUNCH - DAY 1

England 102-3 (32.3 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Jadeja bowls a full toss on the pads as Root flicks it through midwicket for a four, he has been quite positive to take his score to 26 form 33 balls. The next ball is again on the leg stump as Root flicks it through midwicket for two runs.

Ben Duckett, who batted as an opener in the first two Tests in Bangladesh, is the new batsman for England at No. 4. He is a positive batsman and it remains to be seen how he plays against the Indian spinners.

He defends the first seven ball he faces before getting off the mark with a single on the leg side. The last ball is a full toss which Root sweeps to fine leg for one.

India are doing exceedingly well with the over rate and have bowled 29 overs with around 10 minutes to go for lunch, meaning they could get in another couple of overs.

Finally, leg-spinner Amit Mishra comes into the attack in place of Jadeja, who bowled a good first spell of one for 26 in nine overs.

Root looks to sweep but misses before he punches a full delivery through the covers where Jadeja misfields to give away a four. Root sweeps the last ball fine as Vijay does well on the fine leg fence to save some runs.

Duckett sweeps Ashwin as Gambhir misfields on the fine leg fence to give away a four as India's poor fielding continues on the opening day. Two balls later, the left-hander makes room and slaps a full delivery from Ashwin through the covers for aother four.

Duckett taking risks as he sweeps Ashwin uppishly over square leg for the third four of the over as England past the 100-run mark, in the 31st over.

Ashwin strikes in the final over of the session with the wicket of Duckett, who is caught at first slip by Rahane for 13. Infact, Rahane does well to hold on to a tough low catch, diving to his right as Ashwin bowls a superb delivery to draw the edge.

At lunch on Day 1, England are reduced to 102 for three in 32.3 overs.

Root has batted well to remain unbeaten on 35 from 50 balls at the break but overall a good comeback by the Indians after they had dropped three catches early on.

England 76-2 (27 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Root plays a beautiful drive, hitting an overpitched delivery from Ashwin through the covers for a four. The next ball is hit to his right, between the covers and mid-off for another boundary as Root shows his class with two beautiful shots against India's premier spinner.

Jadeja gets one to turn past the edge of Hameed's bat who looks to defend but is beaten. The decision is referred to the third umpire as wicketkeeper Saha appeals for the stumping but Hameed's feet are firmly on the ground.

Ashwin from round the wicket bowls a virtually unplayable delivery to Hameed, who plays back but is beaten courtesy of some extra bounce. The next ball stays low and again Hameed is beaten as the ball goes straight on.

Ashwin strikes Hameed on the pads and the appeal for LBW is given by umpire Kumara Dharmasena with the batsman calling for the DRS.

A poor review by Hameed as he was struck plumb in front of the stumps on the backfoot. England have got it all wrong with the review on the first morning with Cook not taking the DRS when he should have and Hameed calling for it when he was clearly struck in front of the stumps.

A wonderful delivery from Ashwin from round the stumps as Hameed plays inside the line to one going straight, and was struck on the backfoot.

Hameed walks back for 31 as England are reduced to 76 for two in the 27th over.

England 62-1 (20 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

That wicket will be a big lift for the Indians, who had dropped three catches inside the first half an hour, including two off Cook, who didn't make most and was dismissed for 21.

Ashwin giving the ball some air as Root plays a nice drive through the covers for three runs.

Jadeja bowling it slower than normal, looking to give it some flight. He drops it short as Hameed rocks back and cuts it through thirdman for a four and his family in the stands are no doubt enjoying his good debut, having made 31 from 60 balls, with having hit six fours so far.

England 51-1 (16 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

A wicket straightaway for India after the drinks break and it is Jadeja, who strikes with the key wicket of Cook.

Cook, who was dropped in his innings of 21, was trapped leg before wicket as he shuffles across and looks to play it across the line on the leg side but misses and the LBW appeal is upheld. And interestingly Cook has walked off without taking the DRS to one which looked 50-50 and replays confirm England's worst fear that the ball was missing leg stump by some distance.

New batsman Joe Root gets off the mark with a lovely boundary through the off-side off the last ball of the over.

England 47-0 (15 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Spin introduced as World No. 1 spinner Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack.

The first ball is right on the mark, just outside the off-stump as Hameed defends. The third ball is a low full toss but the youngster can't time it well as he looks to hit it through the leg side.

Ashwin beats the right-hander with one that goes straight through with the batsman playing for the turn and misses that one.

A good start from Ashwin as he nearly got India the breakthrough.

Spin from both ends as Ravindra Jadeja is called into the attack from the other end. Cook turns the first ball through midwicket and comes back for three runs.

Hameed looks to play the inside out drive through the covers but cannot beat the fielder. However, he gets it right off the last ball, leaning forward and playing a cracking drive through the covers for a beautiful boundary.

Ashwin bowls a good tight second over with Cook getting just a single off it on the leg side and Jadeja breezes through his second over, a maiden with Cook again content to defend it.

Not much turn for the two spinners as Hameed takes a big stride out, making room before slapping Ashwin through the covers for a magnificent boundary. He is caught in two minds off the next ball, looking to leave it before somehow blocking it with his body.

At the first drinks break on Day 1, England have reached 47 for no loss in 15 overs, with Hameed on 25 and Cook on 21.

England 35-0 (10 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Shami gets Hameed to edge again but this time it falls well short of Kohli at second slip, who does well to dive to his left and stop it on the bounce.

Cook punches a wide delivery from Yadav through the covers for two runs before he is squared up off the next ball as he manages to defend it awkwardly.

Hameed is looking quite assured for a man playing just his first match as he calmly collects another easy single on the leg side.

The youngster plays a good straight drive but doesn't get enough power as the fielder at mid-off stops it. He then throws his bat at a wide delivery but is beaten before punching the last ball straight past mid-on for three runs.

Cook is looking a bit settled after an edgy start. He gets nicely on top of the bounce, slapping a slightly delivery from Yadav past point for a four.

Helped by India's generosity in the field, England have made a good start as they reach 35 for no loss in 10 overs, with both openers on 17 each.

England 25-0 (6 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

India's seamers continue to trouble left-handed Cook, who looks very unsure outside the off-stump. Shami, from round the wicket, gets Cook to poke at one but manages to beat him as the ball goes past the outside edge. He looks to drive the next ball but gets a thick outside edge past gully for a four.

Some more freebies for Hameed as Yadav bowls it down the leg side as the right-hander tickles it fine for a four.

India's fielding has been a mess today morning. This time, Murali Vijay puts down a simple catch at first slip to give Haseeb (13) a lifeline for the third dropped catch in the first six overs.

The two pacers have bowled their hearts out, making the batsmen play enough and managed to induce edges but have got no support from the fielders.

England have made a good start as they reach 25 for no loss in six overs.

England 16-0 (4 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Umesh Yadav to bowl the second over. Cook gets another lifeline as Kohli puts down a tough chance at second slip, a sharp low catch which he failed to hold on diving forward to get the visitors a couple of runs.

Yadav bowls another good delivery to beat Cook as it goes past the outside edge. The England captain is looking really nervous and has been lucky that he has been dropped twice already within the first two overs.

Hameed gets his first runs in Test cricket with a single as he taps Shami gently on the off-side and sets off for a quick run.

A few deliveries he goes after a wide delivery, as the thick edge goes over the slips for a four and two balls later he gets it off the middle, smashing it square through point for a four.

At the other end, Cook continues to struggle with Yadav beating him off successive deliveries with perfect away going deliveries, from round the wicket.

He drives the fourth ball through the covers for two runs, a shot that should give him some confidence after a nervous start.

England 1-0 (1 ov) vs India | Scorecard

Alastair Cook will look to lead from the front as he opens the batting with new partner, the 19-year-old Haseeb Hameed.

Mohammed Shami, who was rested for the ODI series against New Zealand, will open the bowling for the Indians.

The first ball is a beauty, moves away and bounces more than expected, beating Cook who pokes at it as wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha collects it high around his shoulders. What a start!

Two balls later, Cook goes after after a wide delivery but Ajinkya Rahane puts down a tough chance in the gully region, as he lunges to his right but fails to hold on.

The next ball is also edged but goes along the ground past the same fielder for a single to get England off the mark.

The first ball to debutant Hameed is just outside the off-stump and bounces more as the youngster drops his shoulders and lets it go, while confidently defending the last ball of the over.

Meanwhile, India are playing a five-man bowling attack including three spinners with Amit Mishra making a comeback into the team to partner Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, while Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav are the two spinners.

There was some confusion regarding Hardik Pandya with the BCCI's official Twitter account including his name in the playing XI but the official teamsheet has Amit Mishra in the team instead of Pandya.

Check out the Indian XI: M Vijay, G Gambhir, C Pujara, V Kohli (captain), A Rahane, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, H Pandya, W Saha, M Shami, U Yadav

England are playing three spinners while young opener Haseeb Hameed makes his Test debut.

England XI: A Cook (captain), H Hameed, J Root, B Duckett, M Ali, B Stokes, J Bairstow, C Woakes, A Rashid, Z Ansari, S Broad.
 
Mohandas Menon: "Haseeb Hameed @ 19y-297d is fifth youngest England Test player. And the only 6th teenager to do so for England out of 674 players

England captain Alastair Cook has won the toss and elected to bat against India in the first Test in Rajkot.

India, the World No 1 team, boasts a terrific batting line-up led by the swashbuckling Virat Kohli and his deputy, the ever-consistent Ajinkya Rahane.

There are also rocks at the top of the order: Openers Murali Vijay and Gautam Gambhir with Cheteshwar Pujara, coming in at one drop.

The bowling will be again India's forte, with spin wizard Ravichandran Ashwin leading the way and Ravindra Jadeja playing the supporting role to perfection. The experienced Amit Mishra too can be a handful in helpful conditions.

Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav form a formidable pace attack for the hosts.

Ahead of the first Test between India and England in Rajkot, Rajneesh Gupta looks at the two teams and their numbers.

India and England, whose rivalry stretches nearly eight decades, face off in a five Test series, starting in Rajkot on November 9.

The two teams first played each other at Lord's in 1932, when Douglas Jardine's England beat the visitors, who were led by C K Nayudu, by 158 runs.

India and England have played 112 Tests against each.

England have 43 wins and 21 losses.

Interestingly, England have a good record in India too, winning 13 Tests against 15 losses while 27 matches ended in draws.

On the other hand, India have won just six Tests in England and have lost as many as 30 of them.

Rajneesh Gupta presents glimpses of history from India-England Tests:

Welcome to the coverage of the opening Test of the five-match series between India and England in Rajkot, on Wednesday.

The Saurashtra Cricket Association will make it's Test debut while the series will also finally the Decision Review System (DRS) make it's bow in a bilateral series in India.

The hosts will be aiming for revenge for their series loss in 2012 against England when they last toured India in 2012, winning the the four-match series 2-1.

However, Alastair Cook's England seem to have neither the form nor the resources to repeat their 2012 heroics against an Indian team determined to cement their top Test rankings.

England's two-Test series in Bangladesh was meant to be a dress rehearsal for their batsmen who are likely to be subjected to relentless spin on similarly turning tracks in India.

Instead, Cook and his men landed with bruised egos, having lost the second Test in Dhaka inside three days to settle for a 1-1 share of the series against the world's ninth ranked Test team.

They did not look very convincing in their victory in the Chittagong Test either but bigger shocks awaited them in Dhaka where they lost 10 wickets in a session, exposing their frailties against spinners on turning wickets.