ENG v IND, 2nd Test: KL Rahul's Ton Sets Up India's Day Out At Lord's

KL Rahul's classy ton set up the platform as India ends day 1 on 276/3 in the 2nd test at Lord's on Thursday. 

Looking at the overcast conditions, the England captain opted to bowl first after Virat Kohli once again lost the toss. Rain caused a 30-minute delayed start and the stage was set for the Dukes' ball to swing. 

James Anderson along with Ollie Robinson took the new ball and tested the Indian openers. It was a slow start and India was scoring at a rate of 1 rpo before Rohit Sharma let loose against Sam Curran in the 15th over. 

That over saw Sharma hitting Curran for four boundaries and shifting the momentum towards India. However, just when the duo of KL Rahul and Rohit were looking set, rain once again stopped the play at Lord's and the early lunch was taken. 

Resuming the 2nd session at 46/0, Rohit and KL Rahul began from they left; mixing attack with caution. While Rohit was the aggressor, KL held his defense at the other end. The two stitched India's first-century partnership away from home in over a decade. 

Sharma was well set but a nip-backer from Anderson gave England a breakthrough as Rohit departed for 83. Cheteshwar Pujara also looked positive but couldn't capitalize on the start and edged one to the slips on nine. 

The third session once again provided beautiful batting conditions and both Rahul along Kohli capitalized against a tired English attack. Apart from Robinson and Anderson, the rest of the bowling lineup gave relief to the pair, who added 117 runs for the third wicket from 208 balls. 

Rahul was the aggressor and looked more comfortable while hitting the boundaries. Kohli, on the other hand, looked a bit shaky at the start and took time to settle in. The Indian opener made most of his rich form and became the 10th Indian to hit a century at Lord's. 

The last 40 minutes saw England taking the new ball and things once again started to happen for the bowlers. Kohli, although set at 42, edged one to the slips off Robinson to give England a sigh of relief on what was a forgettable day for them despite winning the toss. 

Brief Score: 

India - 276/3 in 90 overs (KL Rahul - 127*, Rohit Sharma - 83; James Anderson - 2/52)