Not for the first time in his unique and  unorthodox manner, Rishabh Pant proved that fortune favours the brave.  While the top-order Indian batsmen struggled against a sustained English seam attack in the morning session, Pant in the company of fellow southpaw Ravindra Jadeja revived India’s hopes with a fighting century partnership for the sixth wicket. His sparkling century of just 89 balls, his fifth in Tests, ensured that India did not face opening day blues at Birmingham. 

Frustrating start

It was a frustrating start-stop-start morning for the Indians on the opening day of the rescheduled Pataudi Trophy fifth Test at Edgbaston. When England won the toss, it was overcast and their captain Ben Stokes had no hesitation in bowling first. By the time the openers came out, it was bright and sunny. Then, there was a spell of rain around lunchtime and on resumption, the sun continued to play hide and seek. All the while in fluctuating English weather the top-order struggled against the home seamers till the two left-handers found the measure of the bowling.