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Ind v Eng 2nd Test Day 1: Rohit-Rahane stand put India in driver's seat

by Cricket World Saturday 13 February 2021

Rohit Sharma struck a wonderful hundred

©Reuters

India took control of the second Test against England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

Match Summary - India v England, 2nd Test Day 1

India 1st Innings: 300-6 (88)

Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Shubman Gill-1.3 ov), 2-85 (Cheteshwar Pujara-20.2 ov), 3-86 (Virat Kohli-21.2 ov), 4-248 (Rohit Sharma-72.6 ov), 5-249 (Ajinkya Rahane-75.2 ov), 6-284 (Ravichandran Ashwin-82.3 ov)

Stumps - England yet to bat

Scorecard

England clawed their way back on day one with crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane after the two batsmen led India's charge with a solid partnership.#INDvENG report ??
— ICC (@ICC) February 13, 2021

Matchday Highlights

India finished the day at 300 for six after electing to bat on a pitch where the ball is already turning square. The heroes of India's efforts were Rohit Sharma (161: 231b, 327m, 18x4, 2x6) and Ajinkya Rahane (67: 149b, 234m, 9x4).

Sharma and Rahane added an impressive 162 runs for the fourth wicket as India fought back after being reduced to 86 for three.

India lost their opener Shubman Gill in the second over for a duck. Thereafter, Cheteshwar Pujara fell after a 85-run stand for the second wicket.

Skipper Virat Kohli fell soon after for a duck.

After a long stand Sharma and Rahane fell in quick succession. Towards the end of the day, Rishabh Pant (33 batting) was holding fort in typical aggressive fashion.

For England, the key wicket-takers for Moeen Ali (2-112) and Jack Leach (2-78).

England made four changes to their playing XI from the first Test. Dom Bess, James Anderson, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler were left out. In their place Ali, Ben Foakes, Stuart Broad and Olly Stone were included.

India also made three changes. Jasprit Bumrah, Shahbaz Nadeem and Washington Sundar were left out. In their place came Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.

Playing XIs
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj

England: Joe Root (captain), Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes (wicket-keeper), Moeen Ali, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, Olly Stone

Match Details

Toss: India won and elected to bat
Test debut: Axar Patel
Match Officials: Nitin Menon, Virender Sharma, Anil Chaudhary (TV Umpire), KN Ananthapadmanabhan (Reserve Umpire), Javagal Srinath (Match-Referee)
Start time: 0300 hrs GMT