By BV Swagath
Update at Stumps on Day 1: A terrific second hundred from Ajinkya Rahane took India to a respectable total of 290 for 9 on the opening day’s play at Lord’s. Given the pitch conditions, India would be delighted to get to this total, more so after slipping to a disastrous 145 for 7 at one stage.
Rahane was the last man out on Day 1, caught and bowled by James Anderson brilliantly off a leading edge. The middle order batsman produced a terrific knock of 103 from just 154 balls with 15 fours and a six. Along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (36 from 84 balls), Rahane added 94 runs for the 8th wicket while he added 40 runs for the 9th wicket with Mohammed Shami.
India had lost Stuart Binny to a bad lbw decision in Anderson’s bowling. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was next to go after a stubborn stand that lasted more than 24 overs. It was only an unplayable low ball from Broad that could get him out. Rahane was in danger of losing out on partners while approaching a century but he kept his cool and kept on pulling the ball superbly to get near the milestone.
It was a good day for Anderson as he took 4 for 55 in 22 overs.
Update at Tea on Day 1: India are in all sorts of trouble at Lord’s at a poor score of 140 for 6 in 55 overs. England picked four key wickets in the afternoon session to grab the initiative in this Test match.
The visitors had an early blow after lunch losing Virat Kohli (25) who was forced to edge a beautiful outswinger from Anderson to the diving Matt prior. Cheteshwar Pujara’s long vigil came to an end when Ben Stokes went through his defences to end a 117-ball stay which yielded only 28 runs.
Skipper MS Dhoni got out edging Broad to the keeper while Jadeja was lbw playing outside the line to Moeen Ali around middle. At Tea, India have Ajinkya Rahane batting on 26 with Stuart Binny (6*).
Update at Lunch on Day 1: India saw through a tricky morning session on a green top at Lord’s with a decent score of 73 for 2 in 27 overs. The visitors were lucky not to have lost their third wicket in the last over before lunch when Virat Kohli was put down by Matt Prior off Moeen Ali.
It was a bad start for India as James Anderson had Shikhar Dhawan caught in the slips early with a magic outswinger that pitched around leg. Murali Vijay fought it out to score 24 from 67 balls before he was caught in the slips, closing the face to an away going delivery from Plunkett around leg.
By lunch, India have got Cheteshwar Pujara on 11* (from 66 balls) and Virat Kohli who is on a busy 20* from 19 balls.
Toss and Teams: England have won the toss and asked India to bat first in the Second Test at Lord’s. Both sides remain unchanged. The pitch at Lord’s has nice even grass cover with a bit of moisture underneath it.
England: Alastair Cook (Captain), Sam Robson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Matt Prior (Wicket Keeper), Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad, Liam Plunkett, James Anderson
India: Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni (Captain and Wicket Keeper), Stuart Binny, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma
