London:
KL Rahul’s scintillating century and Rohit Sharma’s (83) brilliant fifty helped India maintain their dominance on the first day of the second Test. England won the toss and handed the bat to India in the second Test being held at the historic ground of Lord’s. Till the stumps, Team India has scored 275 runs for the loss of three wickets. Rahul (127) came to open and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (1) returned unbeaten. Anderson took two wickets for England and Robinson took Kohli’s big wicket. This is the second match of the five-match Test series.
127 not out by KL Rahul
KL Rahul was not even a part of the playing XI before the match, but players’ injuries allowed him to return to the team after two years. When India’s score reached 100 runs, Rahul’s contribution was only 16 runs. Rahul first thoroughly enjoyed Rohit’s batting, opened his hands by hitting Moeen Ali for a six in the long-off area and then hit two beautiful fours on Wood as he completed his 13th half-century with three runs off Robinson. Then hitting Mark Wood for a four, he completed his sixth century in 212 balls.
Rohit Sharma and Rahul’s century partnership
Rohit Sharma missed out on a century, but on the basis of his wonderful century partnership with KL Rahul, many records of world cricket were destroyed. After India were invited to bat first, Rohit played an innings of 83 runs in 145 balls which included 11 visible fours and a six. He added 126 runs for the first wicket with Rahul (127 not out off 248 balls). This is India’s third century partnership for the first wicket at Lord’s and the first since 1974. When it seemed that Rohit would score his first century on foreign soil, then Anderson, after making two outswingers, dropped Rohit’s bails on the incoming ball.
Anderson lacked a partner
James Anderson (2 for 52 runs) looked effective among the England bowlers, but he lacked a ally from the other end, his partner Stuart Broad has been ruled out of the series due to injury. Rohit adapted to the conditions in the first hour of the rain-hit session but after that he batted in his natural style.
