Nottingham, Aug 5: England made inroads into Indian batting line-up with James Anderson’s double strike as the visitors failed to build on a solid start to be 125 for four in the rain-hit afternoon session on day two of the first Test.
India, who had lost Rohit Sharma (36) at the stroke of lunch, completely lost the plot in the second session.
As it often so happens in England, wickets fell in a heap after the 97-run stand between Rohit and K L Rahul (57*) was broken.
Weather came to India’s rescue as bad light stopped play after around 45 minutes of play before rain forced an early tea break.
With dark clouds hovering over a packed Trent Bridge, Anderson did what he does best – attack the off-stump channel and induce the outside edge. He was able to do that in successive balls, sending back Cheteshwar Pujara before winning the opening battle against skipper Virat Kohli.
Pujara never looked comfortable in the middle and on one occasion offered a no shot to a straight delivery from Ollie Robinson before DRS saved him.
Anderson eventually had him caught behind and the very next ball he removed Kohli with a beauty that was pitched up in the off-stump corridor and held its line to take the outside edge.
Ajinkya Rahane’s run out following a mix-up with Rahul over a quick single added to India’s mini collapse, leaving the game evenly balanced.
India would have been in deeper trouble had Dom Sibley not dropped Rahul in the slips of Anderson in the 45th over.
Earlier, Rohit looked solid in defence under overcast skies before indulging in his favourite pull-shot to get out at the stroke of lunch with India reaching 97 for one.
The duo did well enough to keep the four-pronged home team attack at bay but Rohit’s attempt to dispatch Robinson’s short ball behind the square leg boundary didn’t quite work out as he threw it away after doing all the hard work.
The partnership put England on the back-foot with a deep point being stationed at times to stop the flow of boundaries.
They patiently waited for the loose deliveries and played some delightful drives, keeping the scoreboard ticking with Rahul blending his caution and aggression in equal measure to remain undefeated.
Their gameplan was simple and that was to see off the first hour with minimum risks.
Rohit, in particular, showed his technical prowess getting right behind the moving deliveries.
After a delay caused by bad light, rain subsequently interrupted play and stumps was called. (PTI)
