Rohit Sharma struck a superb 161 as India reached 300-6 against England on day one of the second Test in Chennai on Saturday.
The hosts needed to respond after suffering defeat in the opening encounter and had the immediate advantage after winning the toss.
Virat Kohli didn’t hesitate to bat first, with Sharma the star at the top of the order. But, England started brilliantly when Ollie Stone trapped Shubman Gill in front for a duck.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Sharma got the Indian innings under way and made 85 for the third wicket before Pujara fell to Jack Leach for 21.
A photo almost as good as the delivery ?
Scorecard: https://t.co/mUg1ziwJRq#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/zvzjJ68yQC
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 13, 2021
Moeen Ali then surprised Kohli with a beautiful delivery, clean bowling the India captain for a duck – and the first time in his career by a spinner.
At 86-3, England held the upper hand but Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane began taking the game away from the English bowlers.
The pair shared in a magnificent 162-run partnership with Sharma bringing up his seventh Test century, while Rahane reached a half-century of his own.
Leach eventually made the important breakthrough when Sharma was caught by Ali. Ali then accounted for the wicket of Rahane, who was knocked over for 67.
Ravi Ashwin added 13 but Joe Root dismissed him as England crawled back into the contest with a few quick wickets.
Rishabh Pant (33) and Axar Patel (5) saw out the rest of the day with India hoping to add more runs to their first-innings total on Sunday.
