4th Test: Early strikes reduce England to 57/4 at lunch
Southampton, Aug 30: Indian pacers wrecked England's top order, taking four quick wickets to reduce the hosts to 57/4 at lunch on the opening day of the penultimate Test of the five-match rubber at the Rose Bowl Cricket Ground here on Thursday.
Ben Stokes (12 batting) and Jos Buttler (13 batting) survived a few scary moments before heading back undivided at the break.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah (2/21), Ishant Sharma (1/7) and Hardik Pandya (1/16) were among the wickets even as Mohammed Shami, coming in as the second change bowler, constantly kept asking questions to the vulnerable English pair.
Electing to bat on a track with a tinge of live grass, England's opening woes continued to haunt them as Keaton Jennings was trapped plumb in front by an excellent incoming delivery from Bumrah, for a duck in the third over of the innings.
One over later, Bumrah almost packed back English skipper Joe Root(4) when he was on two, before the Decision Review System (DRS) came to the latter's rescue. Root was trapped plumb in front but television replays showed the bowler overstepping.
The England captain, however, failed to take advantage of the reprieve as Ishant swung it big into the England captain to trap him lbw.
Reduced to 15/2, England's hopes were pinned on former skipper Alastair Cook (17) and Jonny Bairstow (6), playing as a specialist batsman after injuring his finger.
But Bumrah nipped any such ambitions in the bud with the scalp of Bairstow, caught behind by Rishabh Pant in the 13th over before first-change bowler Hardik ended Cook's 55-ball resistance, thanks to a brilliant low catch at third slip by Virat Kohli.
India could have had Buttler too, but Pant missed a tough one. Together with Stokes, Buttler managed to see off the initial scare from the Indian pace attack before heading for lunch undivided.
Brief Scores: England 57/4 (Alastair Cook 17, Jos Buttler 13 batting; Jasprit Bumrah 2/21, Ishant Sharma 1/7) vs India.
Latest Updates: ENG 87/6 (35.0 Ovs)
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Hope West Asia conflict does not affect supply chain: Tata Group chairman
Jamshedpur (PTI): Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran on Tuesday hoped that the current conflict between Iran and the US-Israel does not affect the supply chain, and said the conglomerate has plans to mitigate risks that can emanate from the ongoing war in West Asia.
He also emphasised on the safety of employees of Tata group companies working in West Asia.
"Geopolitics is the most unpredictable situation. Last year was also a tough year. I think things will settle down soon, and I hope that the supply chain should not be a problem. As uncertainty prevailed in the geopolitical situation, we have planned to mitigate risks that can emanate from the prevailing situation, not only for the Tata Group but also for the country," he said.
Chandrasekaran, along with Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata and Tata Steel CEO and Managing Director T V Narendran and heads of various group companies, was here to pay tribute to Tata Steel Founder Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata on his 187th birth anniversary.
He said Tata Steel procures limestone from West Asia and has enough inventory.
"Tata Steel will diversify for alternative sources. We are confident that it will not be a problem," he said.
Chandrasekaran also said the safety of employees working in West Asia is now the group's priority.
"Our employees are working there in service companies, hotels. Air India planes are flying. Our main priority is the safety of our employees. Our group has been active for the last three days. All employees are safe," he said.
The Tata Group chairman said that there may be some ups and downs in businesses in view of the prevailing situation.
"If the business gets affected for a few days and months, it will be recovered, but our top priority is the safety of our employees and their families. We plan for the civilians and risk mitigation, safety of employees and business continuity, supply eco-system and our customers," he said.
Replying to a query on artificial intelligence, Chandrasekaran said AI offers plenty of opportunities for Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
Whenever there is such a technology change, people get anxious that everything will be automated, which will risk their employment, he said.
"Even discussions take place about which business will go up or down, but companies such as Tata Steel and Tata Motors integrate these tools to take full advantage, and TCS has a vast opportunity in the AI sector," he said.
He also said the group's businesses are expanding, and its employee base was around 7.5 lakh five years ago, and "today, it is over 11 lakh".
"Many manufacturing jobs are coming up with our expansion plan, and these figures are likely to go up to 15 lakh in the next five-six years. We need skilled people...young people from all disciplines," Chandrasekaran said, adding that the group was also investing in skill development.
Extending greetings to the people on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Tata Steel founder, Chandrasekaran said he was happy to be in Jamshedpur.
Tata Steel, which will complete 120 years of operations this May, continues to thrive and is pushing forward with new technology, he said.
In Jamshedpur, he said, Tata Motors is also investing in building next-generation technology using hydrogen.
Tata Power is also expanding its partnership with Tata Steel and Tata Motors in renewable energy technology, he said.
"Many things are happening, and we would like to see how we can be part of the ecosystem and continue to grow," he said.
Asked about his meeting with Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Ranchi on Monday, Chandrasekaran said it was constructive.
"We have announced an investment of Rs 11,000 crore to develop something to address carbon footprint," he said.
