England spinner Jack Leach on his first tour to India was hammered brutally by Rishabh Pant in the first innings of the first Test in Chennai.
Leach conceded runs at an economoy of over 9 at one point in the first innings. However, his teammates backed him to stay strong and he bowled better in the second innings. Leach was hit four 2 fours and 5 sixes by Pant in the first innings.
The wicketeeper-batsman scored 48 runs off 21 balls from the left-arm spinner at a strike rate of 228.57 and was taken out of the attack. He had the support of his senior teammates that have played enough cricket in India, which helped him to bowl better in the second innings.
Jack Leach said after the match, "Thought he (Pant) was playing in the IPL. It’s a challenge that comes for a spinner. Was a tough evening that one but boys helped me stay strong."
It was a first tour in Asia for the 29-year-old when he helped England beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in the island nation before coming to India. He has now won three Tests on the trot in Asia and has contributed in all of them.
"Had a long time without any cricket (before the Sri Lanka series). It was about bowling those long overs in the heat. My first time in India. They have a great batting lineup and I knew the pressure that comes with it. Happy to take some wickets and get the boys over the line," Leach said.
Jack Leach finished with figures of 2/105 and 4/76 in the first Test at Chennai. He is expected to start the second Test as well at the same venue from Saturday, February 13.
(With inputs from PTI)
