Rishabh Pant creates record on Test debut against England

Indian cricket team were under immense pressure from fans and critics after their humiliating loss in the second Test against England at Lord's. The visitors put an abysmal show, getting bowled out twice within 83 overs en route to their innings defeat.

The third Test was a do-or-die for Virat Kohli and co, given a defeat would end see them fall 3-0 down in the five-match Test series. Knowing a win is a must, the team management made three changes to the team for Trent Bridge.

Shikhar Dhawan and Jasprit Bumrah had come in place of Murali Vijay and Kuldeep Yadav respectively. But the final change was what made many fans happy. Rishabh Pant was given his Test debut, as he replaced Dinesh Karthik.

And on his maiden batting innings, he showed why he has been earmarked as the next big thing in Indian cricket. The youngster opened his run-tally in Test cricket with a 6 of just his second ball. In doing so, he became the first Indian player to have opened his account in this fashion.

India ended Day One at 307 for 6, with Pant unbeaten on 22. The star of the day with the bat were Indian skipper Virat Kohli and his trusted lieutenant Ajinkya Rahane. Kohli looked at his ominous best, playing some wonderful strokes and showed no signs of a player returning from a back injury. A 23rd Test century and second in the series looked certain, before Adil Rashid got him caught at slips by Ben Stokes for 97.

READ: Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane Shine As India End Day One At 307/6 In Third Test Against England

Vice-captain Rahane, who was short of form heading into the third Test, complemented his skipper during their stay at the crease. In fact, there were times when he looked better than his skipper, playing some delightful shots on the off-side. But a sensational one-handed catch in first slip by Alastair Cook ended his knock of 81.

Earlier, India had made a solid start for the first time in this series, with Dhawan and Rahul looking comfortable against the English pacers, who were not being much of a threat. The two shared visitors' first 50-run opening partnership of the series, and looked set to get big scores. But England struck back, dismissing the two, and then following it up with the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara. India were reeling at 82 for 3, before Kohli and Rahane took charge.

READ: Indian Cricket Team Honor Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Ajit Wadekar During Third Test Against England