BATMAN & SHUBERMAN:

Captain's unbeaten ton keeps visitors in game on Day 1 of 2nd Test

- GOMESH S @ Chennai

TWO days before Shubman Gill walked out for the toss and said India opted to strengthen the batting depth even more for the second Test against England, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate was asked about the lower-order collapses.

The former Dutch captain, in his response, said: "We have (thought about it). When you are 430/3, it is absolutely fine, but when you are 200/5, it is a very different ball game. We are trying to figure it out."

Cut to Wednesday, on a sunny Birmingham afternoon with a pitch not doing much for the bowlers. Ten Doeschate's worst fear came true as the visitors, having gone in with three all-rounders to pad up their depth at the cost of a specialist batter and a wicket-taking bowler, were in fact 211/5 after tea.