India vs England: Rishabh Pant refuses to bat after having an argument with Ben Stokes on the field

The end of the first day’s play witnessed a brief drama on the field. During the 87th over of the Indian innings, Ben Stokes told something to Rishabh Pant, and the Indian batsman decided against taking guard for a while. He was also seen looking back and even exchanging a few words with Stokes. It is still not clear as to what exactly transpired out in the middle.

Also, at the end of the 87th over, Ben Stokes was seen coming over to Rishabh Pant and having a discussion. Both the umpires also had to intervene so that the matter could be diffused. As the discussion between Stokes and Pant took place in the middle of the field, the partisan Chennai crowd could also be heard chanting Pant’s name in the background.

The matter ended there, and the players resumed their duties. You can see what transpired in the middle in the video below.

Rishabh Pant vs Stokes fight today 👇🏻👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/P8a0mbO5d1

— middle stump (@middlestump4) February 13, 2021

England come back into the game after a Rohit-Rahane special

The first day of the Test match witnessed a tough battle between the two sides. England took the first three Indian wickets in the first session with the hosts not even crossing the 100-run mark. But then, the second session was all about Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane. The duo put on a sizzling 162-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Such was the control that they exhibited in the middle that during their partnership that lasted 51.4 overs, India was in total control of the game, and looked as if they would end the day on top. But then, England came back into the game, and scalped the wickets of both Rohit and Rahane in the space of 2.3 overs. The visitors also took the wicket of local boy Ravichandran Ashwin, as India ended the first day with their scorecard reading 300/6.

Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel are currently occupying the crease. While Pant looked comfortable in his 56 ball stay in the middle and helped himself to 33*, Patel remained unbeaten on 5. For England, the spinners proved to be much more effective than the pacers, picking 5 out of the 6 wickets to fall in the day. While Jack Leach and Moeen Ali picked up 2 wickets apiece, Joe Root chipped in with the wicket of Ravichandran Ashwin. Among the England pacers, Olly Stone picked up the wicket of Shubman Gill, while Stuart Broad went wicketless.

With Rishabh Pant still out in the middle, India would be looking to cross the 350-run mark when they resume batting on Day 2.