Hey guys, David Cooper here giving you a bitesize look at what’s going on this Thursday.

TOP STORY

Over and out: Ravi Ashwin was monitoring the stumps as Joe Root was run-out.

England captain Joe Root missed out on yet another Test century, during the opening day of the first Test against India. After his ton against the West Indies in August last year, Root has now scored 11 fifties without converting them it into three figures.

But Root averages 52 in Tests and is the fastest Englishman to 6,000 Test runs, you say? He is still scoring runs so what’s the issue here?

Our Ajit Vijaykumar has looked into the debate surrounding the batsman.

FOOTBALL

Wanted man: Yerry Mina.

The links between Manchester United and Barcelona’s giant Colombia centre-back Yerry Mina continue to grow.

The 23-year-old arrived at the Camp Nou just six months ago, but the Catalans must offload a non-EU player to meet La Liga squad regulations and the Colombian international is on the chopping block.

Elsewhere, Chelsea are not ready to give up on their pursuit of Gonzalo Higuain, according to the Mirror.

Despite the striker seemingly nearing a loan move to AC Milan having traveled to the city for a medical, the Premier League side are still attempting a last-ditch effort to get his signature.

The Blues were in pre-season action against Arsenal on Wednesday night.

We’ve looked in-focus at the performances of teenagers Callum Hudson-Odoi and Matteo Guendouzi.

CRICKET

Leading pair: Captains Joe Root (l) and Virat Kohli (r).

England collapsed to 285-9 on the first day of the first Test against India at Edgbaston.

Even so, India appeared to miss a trick in selecting just one specialist spinner in Ravichandran Ashwin

Here, Ashish Peter looks into the debate about skipper Virat Kohli’s selection.

Even so, Ashwin was the star of our player ratings with four wickets as the dramatic action lived up to its big billing.

In contrast, it was another innings to forget for Alastair Cook.

Elsewhere in the cricket world, Nepal suffered a tough introduction to one-day internationals on debut against the Netherlands.

FEATURE OF THE DAY

Lovely bit of business: Diego Simeone.

Another day brought another piece of outstanding business from Atletico Madrid.

Matt Monaghan went in-depth to show why Los Rojiblancos should be considered kings of the transfer market.

SOCIAL MEDIA ROUND-UP

WHAT’S ON TODAY

Test cricket:

England v India (14:00)

Europa League qualifiers: 

Besiktas v B36 Torshavn (22:00)

Burnley v Aberdeen (22:45)

Rangers v Osijek (22:45)

Ujpesti v Sevilla (23:00)