Keaton Jennings made a dream debut for England today, hitting a century on the first day of the fourth Test with India.
The 24-year-old was brought into the squad as a new opening partner for captain Alastair Cook after Haseeb Hameed was ruled out of the series with a broken finger and was instrumental on the opening day in Mumbai as the tourists ended on 288-5 by close of play.
The story could have been a different one for Jennings, who almost found himself dismissed within the first few overs, but after a nervy start he soon settled and reached his half-century as the partnership approached 100.
Cook reached a personal milestone of 2,000 Test runs against India but was out just four shy of a half-century, caught out by Ravindra Jadeja in his first over.
Joe Root was next up, contributing 21 off 41 before being caught by the wrists of captain Virat Kohli. Moeen Ali upped the pace after tea, celebrating with Jennings as he hit the milestone, then falling for a half-century to Virat Kohli.
Just two balls later Jennings followed Ali off the field, Cheteshwar Pujara making no mistake at deep gully to end Jennings's contribution at 112 from 219 balls, including 13 fours.
Jonny Bairstow's usually-profitable partnership with Ben Stokes came to a swift end as India took more control in the evening session, the former leaving the field after just 14 runs as Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his fourth scalp of the day.
Jos Buttler (18*) came on to see out the session with Stokes (25*) as the tourists ended the day on 288-5.
Neil Wilkes
