India vs England, 2nd Test, Day 1: Indian opener Rohit Sharma ended a dry spell with the bat to bring up his century in the post-lunch session on Day 1 of the second India-England Test at MAC Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. Winning toss and batting initially India suffered early losses with Rohit’s opening companion Shubman Gill and skipper Virat Kohli scoring ducks. Rohit steadied the innings initially with Cheteshwar Pujara and then stringed a handy partnership with Ajinkya Rahane to take India to 156 for the loss of 3 wickets at the finish of 44 overs. Rohit’s unbeaten century was punctuated with 14 boundaries and two sixes.
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Earlier:
Rohit Sharma scored a sparkling 80 not out even though Moeen Ali removed skipper Virat Kohli with a excellent delivery as India reached 106 for 3 against England at lunch through a shared opening session on the initially day of the second Test right here on Saturday.
At lunch, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was batting on 5 even though Rohit, who has so far faced 78 balls, hit 13 fours and 1 six in his delightful knock.
For England, Moeen (1/32), Olly Stone (1/14) and Jack Leach (1/23) picked up a wicket every single.
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Mooen struck a massive blow when he got one to dip and turn in sharply as Kohli going for a cover drive was bowled by way of the gate.
Rohit’s innings was laced with some beautiful drives and a six.
The Mumbai has so far scored the bulk of the runs and looked comfy against pace and spin on a wicket aiding turn currently.
He added 85 runs for the second wicket with Pujara (21, 58 balls, 2 fours) and appeared to be steering India to a great position ahead of the spinners struck.
First, Jack Leach (1/23) tossed one up to get Pujara edge one to Ben Stokes at slip ahead of Moeen (1/32 in 6 overs) scalped the prize wicket of Kohli.
The dwelling side, batting initially soon after Kohli won the toss and batted, suffered an early jolt when the pacy Olly Stone, playing his second Test, dismissed Shubman Gill for a duck.
Gill shouldered arms to a delivery that came in and was rapped on the front pad, to give England a terrific start off.
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India produced 3 adjustments to their playing XI with left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel generating his debut even though pacer Jasprit Bumrah was rested.
In-kind Mohammed Siraj returned to the playing XI along with left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who replaced Washington Sundar to play his initially game in two years.
For England, Moeen Ali came in spot of Dom Bess, Stuart Broad replaced James Anderson even though injured Jofra Archer produced way for Olly Stone. Ben Foakes replaced Jos Buttler as the wicketkeeper.
(with PTI inputs)