Shardul Thakur upstages Chris Woakes on a day of returns, thrills and spills

NICK HOWSON AT THE KIA OVAL: As one of England's most popular cricketers enjoyed a fine return, it was a record-breaking fifty from India's own recalled quick which grabbed the attention on day one

Records and drama illuminate another madcap day of Test cricket... ENGLAND V INDIA TALKING POINTS

On the one hand, The Kia Oval played host to an extraordinary, pulsating and mad opening day of the LV=Insurance fourth Test between England and India. But on the other, it was a period totally in keeping with a series which could well match anything that has gone before and a format which produced the goods once again.

There were multiple narratives to unravel, decisive moments throughout and conclusions to be drawn at each break. It wasn't that every ball was an event, but that an event took place at every ball.

Thirty-six of them were dominated by Shardul Thakur, dropped into this India team alongside Umesh Yadav at the expense of Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami having been given a third Test outing in Nottingham, which feels like a lifetime ago rather than the start of last month.

Following the great-when-he-is-great Rishabh Pant to the crease, the Chennai Super King took a leaf out of the wicketkeeper-batter's book and could have gone one way or another. Seven fours and three sixes of blistering yet accomplished hitting later and the tourists were within sight of something respectable having lost their top seven for 127.

^{Thakur took on England from the outset}

For all the criticism directed at Pant for gifting his wicket away, it wasn't like Thakur approached his innings any differently. It was equally as reckless but it paid off, connecting with the ball like a guy who has a T20I strike-rate of 197. Only Kapil Dev has a faster fifty for India and Lord Botham no longer possesses the fastest in England.

"When Rishabh got out, it was important for me to play such an innings," he told Sky Sports. "There are two ways: you can either be patient and bank on all of the partners coming in, or if it’s in your slot hit it.

"There is no right or wrong way – runs are runs – but today was a day where I was connecting properly, so I kept going for the shots.

"Wickets kept falling at regular intervals, but we did well to get up to 190. Right now the game is equally poised; we have a chance. Let's see how tomorrow goes."

Dropped catches, collapses, DRS overturns, blood, sweat, selection controversies and a good contest between bat and ball. This had everything you could ask for from a day of Test cricket and some things you probably wouldn't.

Though for many, three sessions with madcap moments at every turn could not shovel Chris Woakes into a role among the supporting cast. Perhaps not as explosive or electric at Thakur, but make no mistake the returning Warwickshire bowling allrounder was equally as impactful.

Woakes was 2020's England men's player of the year but has been missing in action for the Test side across the last 12 months. Two periods of isolation after being declared a Covid close contact followed by falling down the stairs and damaging his heel has consigned his year to a "nightmare" as captain Joe Root put it. 

The 32-year-old has refused to be anywhere near as dramatic. Instead of complaining, he has watched from afar, studying England's success with the wobble seam. Upon rocking up in south London and being thrown the ball as first change, he deserved every bit of movement he achieved during his opening spell which included the wicket of Rohit Sharma and three successive maidens.

^{Woakes led another stellar England bowling display}

First innings figures of 4 for 55, following a bit of late tap, didn't tell the full story of a heartening and warming display which despite three late India wickets in England's reply leaves the hosts in the ascendency.

"It's been a weird year - a weird 18 months for everyone I suppose," he modestly stated.

"I was focused on doing what I do well, taking the ball away from the right-hander. 

"But I know the lads have had some success with the wobble seam in the series so far so I tried to add that to my game more than I normally would.

"Thankfully the surface responded to that but I felt that I got into a rhythm early and lost the nerves with the way I bowled in the first couple of overs."