Kohli had the tendency of nicking deliveries outside the off-stump in Test cricket.
India’s young side began the series positively, with the opening duo of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal mixed caution with aggression to put the English attack under pressure in the morning session on Day 1 after being asked to bat first.
The pair added 91 for the first wicket, and Rahul (42 off 78 balls) was dismissed by Brydon Carse at the stroke of Lunch break.
Impressed by their discipline, former India cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar heaped praise on Rahul. However, in doing so, he ended up taking a dig at Kohli, who had the tendency of nicking deliveries outside the off-stump.
"Deliveries outside the off stump, full, have been left alone. Jaiswal has done that. Anything that has been pitched right up into the stumps, he has driven. Anything that has been wide, he has looked to score on. KL Rahul has not touched one delivery or attempted to play one single delivery that's been full, just outside off. Anything that has been wide, he has gone with a covered drive," Manjrekar said on-air.
"So a lot of what you're seeing is being created by these two batters, and my hat's off to them. We know of a former batter who would have gone after that delivery and got himself into trouble. But not these two," he added.
India have handed a debut cap to Sai Sudharsan in the first Test, while Karun Nair has returned to the playing XI after eight years.
Manjrekar said that this might be a young batting line-up, but all of the members picked in the playing XI have good technique.
“That's why I believe this is a young batting line-up. But when you look at their batting technique, they have the technique to survive in challenging test conditions. Sai Sudarshan as well. T20 Sensation will come and defend well. Down the order, Rishabh Pant has a good defence,” Manjrekar stated.
“Jadeja as well. Karun Nair, I'm not sure how he'll go. But these two have shown that, for openers, they're just ideal with their defensive technique,” he remarked.
Batting at No. 3, Sudharsan bagged a four-ball duck in Leeds. The debutant was strangled down leg by England skipper Ben Stokes.
The tourists went to Lunch with 92/2 on the board. Jaiswal was unbeaten on 41 off 73 balls, and he was joined by captain Shubman Gill in the second session.