TOP-ORDER batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and tear-away fast bowler Harshit Rana made their ODI debuts on Thursday. While coach Gautam Gambhir presented Jaiswal with the coveted cap, senior member Mohammed Shami handed it to Rana. Jaiswal, who was the stand-out batsman Down Under against the Kangaroos, has played 19 Tests and 23 T20Is for India. The 23-year-old Delhi speedster has represented India in two Tests and a sole T20I game. Incidentally, both the debutants combined for their first wicket and first catch in the format. England opener Ben Duckett skied a short one from Rana only for Jaiswal to complete a great catch running backwards. Rana ended up taking three wickets on his debut while Jaiswal hit managed 15 runs. 

 

 

Virat Kohli, one of the darlings of the crowd for wearing passion up his sleeves, had to miss the game due to a sore knee. The fans were shocked to hear his name missing from the team list. Before the game, he was on the ground with team-mates but with knee cap on his right knee. There were more placards for Kohli than any other player. Some of those read— ‘ Suno Suno Virat Bhaiyya ko bowling do’; ‘Kohli, No. 1 King’; ‘Virat’s Glare is England’s Nightmare’.

 

 

Rohit Sharma lost the toss and England skipper Jos Buttler decided to bat first. When presenter Ravi Shastri asked Rohit what would have he preferred, the Indian opener said he would have bowled first. And his wish came true. Not a loss at the toss!

 

 

Joe Root, playing his first ODI after the World Cup in 2023, was off to a sedate start. When it looked like he was building a partnership with skipper Jos Buttler, he missed the line of a Ravindra Jadeja’s fast arm ball to be trapped leg before wicket. The score was 111, known as Nelson and considered inauspicious in cricket.

 

 

England opener Phil Salt, after playing a first maiden over to Mohd Shami, was into his elements soon. He scored 26 runs including three sixes and two fours to double the team score to52 in just one over. In the first five overs, England scored 26 runs. But Salt’s assault on debutant Rana doubled it at the end of sixth over.

 

With the majestic Jamtha Stadium holding a One-Dayer after six years, the excitement that started developing with sales of tickets a few days ago, culminated in a sea of blue thronging the venue on the D-Day. Dressed in India T-Shirts with names of their favourite players on the back, fans started to pour in at least three hours before start of the match.

 

 

With over 2000 cops on duty inside and outside the stadium, VCA and city’s police administration ensured that the event was incident free. There were constant announcement by policemen guiding the fans. VCA, apart from relaying the entire ground, also acquired an additional seven acres of land beside the stadium to facilitate parking on match days. It did help in easing the parking problems.

 

 

Over 7000 students benefitted from VCA’s nice gesture. A ticket costing Rs 1000 for general pubic was offered to the students for a mere Rs 100 each. VCA extended its charity by inviting students from a couple of city orphanages and they were taken full care of. They were given free tickets, transportation and meals. Over 200 divyangs also availed of Rs 100 per ticket facility. n (All pics by Satish Raut)