ENG vs IND 4th Test: India in trouble at Oval, lose three early wickets

England sent in India to bat first after skipper Joe Root won the toss at the Oval in the fourth Test match. Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul took the aggressive approach from the start not losing ut on scoring opportunities when they were presented to them.

India raced off to 28 in just seven over and were looking to dictate terms against England's four-pronged pace attack. However, after those seven overs, a period of lull followed as in the next seven over, not a single run was scored and the tourist lost both their openers in that period.

From 28/0 in seven overs, India went to 28/1 (8.6) and 28/2 (13.5) as the hosts' decision to bowl first after winning the toss had started to prove right.

The comeback man Chris Woakes was the one to draw the first blood in form of Rohit Sharma. Woakes got the ball to move, pitching it on a shorter length and it rose too high for Rohit's comfort as he couldn't control the shot and edged it straight into the hands of wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow.

CHRIS WOAKES IS BACK! 

Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/Kh5KyTSOMS#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/IQ0rQInj4s

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 2, 2021

Five overs later, Ollie Robinson dismissed KL Rahul with an incoming delivery trapping him in front of the wickets as the replays showed it was an umpire's call on impact and it was out.

Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli started to rebuild the innings before James Anderson in his second spell got rid of Pujara on the outswinging delivery outside the off-stump as India were suddenly three down.

That swing @jimmy9 

Scorecard & Videos: https://t.co/Kh5KyTSOMS

#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/rT9MZv3jpO

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 2, 2021

In a surprising move, the team management sent Ravindra Jadeja at No 5 ahead of vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. Both Jadeja and Kohli got through India to lunch without any more hiccups as they were 54/3 in 25 overs in the first session.