Vizag: Second Test, Day 1. India win the toss, bat first…no surprises. But in typical Indian conditions to get the openers out within the first hour of play was surprising for many cricket lovers. James Anderson and Stuart Broad showed what England pace bowlers are known for wonderful display of swing and seam and got their rewards when KL Rahul, the Karnataka batsman who made his comeback in the team, was dismissed for 0. Murali Vijay also departed soon after scoring 20 runs.

Thereafter, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli had huge responsibility on their shoulders and like they have done, most of their respective careers, they didn’t disappoint. Kohli and Pujara put together a 226 runs in 61.4 overs at over three-and-a-half runs an over. And naturally, this sealed the day for India and if the curator was to believe, one could expect big turn for the spinners from lunch on Day 2, which would be a delight for Indian dressing room. 

Kohli and Pujara were outstanding today. While Pujara started from where he had left in Rajkot, Kohli came to his own, and the best part was that he has remained not out at stumps batting on a 151.

Anderson showed his class with both the new and the old ball and picked up three out of the four Indian wickets that fell today. However, England spinners failed to pick up a single wicket, something that was expected given a Day 1 pitch in India.

At 317/4, the hosts are comfortable at the moment, especially with skipper Kohli still at the crease and eyeing his second double hundred of the year. A lot also depends on how the pitch behaves for the rest of the match.

Ajinkya Rahane, however, failed thrice so far in the series and India hope that he does make it count in the next innings. It would be interesting to see who starts the day with the bowl for England. Lots to come from Vishakhapatnam!