SPECTACULAR SUCCESS OR PROMISE LESS FULFILLED... THE FIRST IMPRESSION OF INDIA'S GENNEXT

Jaiswal, Gill and Pant's hundreds were indicators of what the willow-wielders were capable of following the retirements of Kohli and Rohit; what followed was disappointing as the visitors lost seven for 41 and a glorious opportunity to bat the hosts out of the contest

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It’s only the start, but it’s a start, nevertheless. There might appear two ways of looking at it, but irrespective of, the verdict will be unanimous - well begun.

Well begun, of course, is only half done. If they wondered about the wisdom of that pronunciation, India will now be convinced. They didn't just begin well, they did so brilliantly. With class and assurance and composure and flair, with swag and panache.

They realised that they were recently divorced from a glorious past, but this was their time to carve a stunning present and an extraordinary future. They could have baulked at the prospect of playing for the first time since the retirements of two of the stalwarts of the game; instead they chose to look at this as a grand chance to lay down the marker, to establish their own identity.

India's first Test since Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bid adieu to the five-day game sparked wild interest. Tremendous scrutiny. Untold attention. How would a young line-up shape up? How would the first-time skipper, batting at an unfamiliar position, inspire his mates? How would they tackle the English examination, at potentially the most English of venues in terms of what to expect from this country from a bowling standpoint - Headingley at Leeds.

Depending on how forgiving one is, first/second day-first show was either a spectacular success or a promise less fulfilled. 471 all out doesn’t always generate such reactions, you know.

Cold fact 1: Ben Stokes put India in at Headingley on the first morning of a five-Test series, a statement of intent but also a prudent (from the English perspective) choice because England are great chasers (hello, this is Test cricket!). They were willing to forgo first use of a terrific batting strip for whatever reasons floated their boat.