India openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul negotiated a tough opening spell against England’s seamers and reached 46/0 before more rain arrived to bring about an early lunch in the first day of the second test at Lord’s on Thursday. Earlier, England won the toss and chose to bowl first in the second Test against India at Lord’s on Thursday. The start of play was delayed 15 minutes because of some morning rain.
A dream start for India in this crucial second Test. Virat Kohli would now be smiling about the fact that he lost the toss earlier. A solid 100-plus opening stand from Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. And more importantly 81 of the 108 runs have been scored by Rohit . He is looking in solid control and inching towards his maiden Test ton in England.
Everyone was wondering how would KL Rauhl and Rohit Sharma withstand the swinging conditions and boy they have proved their doubters wrong! Rohit has looked in sublime touch so far, playing some beautiful cricket shots. He has already completed his half-century and is in his 70s. Meanwhile, KL Rahul is playing the watchful innings today, he is yet to reach his 20s having already played over 90 balls.
India 114/0 after 40 overs. Rohit and KL Rahul continue to dominate the England bowlers with their watchfull innings. Right in the last ball of the 40th over Sam Curran hit Rohit Sharma's boot with a yorker and appealed, but the umpire dismissed it as the ball was clearly heading down the leg.
James Anderson, with a crucial breakthrough and Rohit is gone for 83! Anderson kept pegging away and brought one back into the stumps which finds a way through Rohit's defence. It is such a shame he couldn’t get 17 more, but what a job he has done for his side. IND- 140/1
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James Anderson, England’s record wicket taker, was declared fit. He joins Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson in a pace attack missing Stuart Broad, who is out of the series because of a torn calf muscle. In two changes higher up the order, Haseeb Hameed replaced Zak Crawley to bat at No. 3 and allrounder Moeen Ali came in for Dan Lawrence. India’s only change from the drawn first test saw seamer Ishant Sharma replace spinning allrounder Shardul Thakur, who is out with a hamstring injury.
England (Playing XI): Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Haseeb Hameed, Joe Root(c), Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler(w), Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, James Anderson
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj