Speed Post News Network
Patna : India were 106/3 in 26 overs at lunch on Day 1 in their first innings in 2nd test against England at M A Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, Tamilnadu, with opener Rohit Sharma unbeaten on 80 in 78 balls with 13 fours and 1 six off Ben Stokes, his 12th test fifty, and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane batting on 5 hitting 1 four. India scored at a brisk pace scoring 106 runs in the first session but also lost important wickets of captain Virat Kohli (0), Cheteshwar Pujara (21), and opener Shubman Gill (0).
Opting to bat after winning the toss, India made a terrible start losing their first wicket that of opener Shubman Gill without any run on board. Gill fell to fast bowler Olly Stone. Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara then added 85 runs for the 2nd wicket. Pujara, however, fell to spinner Jack Leach for 21 in 58 balls with 2 fours and it was 85/2. Captain Virat Kohli was bowled by spinner Moeen Ali for a duck and it was 86/3 after 21.2 overs on a pitch offering turn and bounce to the joy of England spinners who have accounted for two of three wickets which fell in the first session.
India have included spinners : Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, and medium fast bowler Mohd Siraj in the team resting fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Spinner Shahbaz Nadeem has also been dropped. Axar Patel is making his test debut. England have included pacers : Stuard Broad and Olly Stone, in the team as James Anderson has been rested while Jofra Archer is injured. Spinner Dom Bess has been dropped too.