England opener Ben Duckett admitted that their side was left surprised with the aggressive approach of the Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma during Day 1 of the first Test at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. However, after bowling out England for 246, Indian openers got off to a swashbuckling start and put on a massive 80-run stand for the first wicket off 74 balls as well.

Jaiswal, playing his first Test in India looked comfortable in the middle as he scored 76 off 70 balls smashing nine fours and three sixes as well on Day 1. While reflecting on the day’s play for England, England opener Ben Duckett stated that they could’ve easily had 3-4 wickets in the Indian innings but they were caught off guard with their positive approach as well.

“We could have easily had three or four [wickets] there tonight and it could have been very different. The way they played at the top was quite positive, and that’s fair play to them. I don’t think we necessarily thought they were going to come out and play like that, but Stokesy [Ben Stokes] got us to what we think was an above-par score. They don’t always go about it like that, so to go about it that way shows that they probably think that pitch is going to get quite a bit worse,” Ben Duckett was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

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Further speaking ahead, the veteran also applauded Jaiswal for his aggressive intent and he hoped to bundle out India as quickly as possible on Day 2 as well.

“I think he played beautifully. These are home conditions [for India] and you’d expect nothing less of their lads than to play well out here. Even the wicket to get Rohit, they were looking quite set with those two and then that happened. Fingers crossed, if moments like that happen tomorrow, we can stick three or four [wickets] on them and you never know. If we can keep them to around our score, or even a little bit of a lead, I think we’re right in the game,” Ben Duckett concluded.

However, after opting to bat first, Duckett (35 off 39) got England off to a good start along with Zak Crawley (20 off 40) adding 55 runs for the first wicket as well. But, the Indian bowlers bounced back quickly and reduced the visitors to 155/7. From there on, captain Ben Stokes batted well with the tail and played a great knock of 70 (88) to help England reach 246. In reply, India finished Day 1 on 119/1 after 23 overs with Jaiswal (76* off 70) and Shubman Gill (14* off 43) trailing England by 127 runs as well.