INDIA'S mini middle-order collapse remained the highlight of the second day of the first Test match against England at Trent Bridge on Thursday (5). Openers Rohit Sharma (36 off 107) and KL Rahul (57 not out off 148) gave the tourists the start they would have hoped for after the Indian bowlers bowled the hosts out for 183 on the first day. The duo added 97 runs for the first wicket but England made a good comeback in the second session to peg the Indians back by taking two back-to-back wickets, including skipper Virat Kohli who scored a golden duck. Anderson, who said ahead of the Test that he was “excited” to face Kohli again, was jubilant to win the battle over his famed rival.
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India reduced to 125 for 4 after lunch
India went into lunch at 97 for 1 but on return, the English bowlers came hard at them and old warhorse James Anderson made vital strikes in the 41st over, dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara (4 off 16) and Kohli. Ajinkya Rahane also got run out after scoring five, thanks to a direct throw from Jonny Bairstow. Rahul, who scored his 12th half-century, had a reprieve when Dom Sibley dropped him in the slips. India were 125 for 4 when bad light stopped play in the 47th over, followed by a rain interruption. Wicket-keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant (7 not out off 8) was the other not out batsman at the crease.
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Both Rahul and Pant had scored hundreds in India’s last Test innings in England, which was at the Oval in 2018. The duo had added 204 runs on that occasion but yet India lost the match by 118 runs. Kohli had fallen for a golden duck in that innings too.
India need another 59 runs to take a lead.
On Day 1, India’s four-pronged pace attack claimed all 10 wickets of the England innings with Jasprit Bumrah picking 4 and Mohammed Shami 3. Two went to Shardul Thakur while Mohammed Siraj had one. England captain Joe Root was the highest scorer for his side with 64 off 108 balls.
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