Keaton Jennings, England’s opener, had struck a century on debut.
However, it was not to last for a long time as Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s off-spinner, led a fight back to pick up four late wickets that left the visitors with 288-5 on the first day of the fourth test, played on Thursday precisely, at the Wankhede Stadium.
Trailing 2-0 in the five match series, the touring visitors had been cruising on 230-2 which had been made possible by Jennings who made 112 after being dropped on nought.
However, a large first inning total on track was not in sight for England as the world’s top ranked test bowler, Ashwin picked up four wickets, thus pegging back the tourists.
Honours were even at stumps as Ben Stokes remained unbeaten on 25, while Jos Buttlerstayed on at 18.
Jennings had arrived India on Monday, after he had been called up from the England Lions squad in the United Arab Emirates.
He was however dropped off by Karun Nair at gully, off paceman, UmeshYadav after Alastair Cook, the England skipper won the toss and opted to bat.
With the 24-year old Jennings not given out to an appeal for leg before off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India wasted a review.
Injured Mohammed Shami was replaced by Kumar, who came in and settled down quickly, thus going on to share an opening stand of 99 with Cook.
For Cook, he maintained his solid look especially during his 60-ball 46 and went on to hit five boundaries.
Soon enough, he was however out to left arm spinner, Ravindra Jadeja’s third ball of the morning.
He was beaten by the spin, before being further stumped by Parthiv Patel, the wicketkeeper as he danced down the wicket.
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