Rahul 127no helps India to 276-3 on Day 1 at Lords
England v India, Second Test, Day 1 at Lords
India first innings 276-3, Rahul 127 no
KL Rahul played an outstanding 127 not out, following his supporting role in an opening stand of 126 with Rohit Sharma , who made a superb 83 at Lord’s with Indian captain Virat Kohli also adding 42 in a third-wicket partnership of 117 with Rahul, helped India to move to 276-3.
Amid cloudy skies, and delay due to showers, Joe Root won the toss and elected to bowl first. England were wicketless in a morning session which was rain affected and lunch was taken with India 46-0, a day dominated and controlled by KL Rahul.
James Anderson although produced two excellent deliveries to remove Rohit and Cheteswar Pujara, while Ollie Robinson got the prized wicket of Kohli.
The home side suffered with poor balling and as the clouds cleared for evening sunshine, batting looking comfortable on true pitch.
The first Test match at Trent Bridge, was drawn, as England were aided by the rain.
Stuart Broad was ruled out for the series with a calf injury, as Anderson overcame a quad problem to produce his double strike in the run-up to tea.
India is looking to heap more pressure on England by batting for most of Friday.
After injuries to Shubman Gill and Mayank Agrawal, Rahul is only playing this series began with a score of 84 and 26 at Trent Bridge and followed up his first test hundred in almost three years.
Rahul did not score his first boundary – a straight six off Moeen Ali until the 108th ball he faced shortly before Rohit fell for his best Test score outside India, but continued his gradual unfurled trademark drives through the off side. Struggles for Pujara continued as his highest score in his past 10 Test innings is 21.
Kohli was eventually drew by Robinson to play away from his body with Root grasping the edge at first slip.