2nd Test: Rohit Sharma scores 7th Test century; India steady at 189/3 at tea

Opener Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane also completed their 100-run partnership as the hosts take control post-lunch

India opener Rohit Sharma got off to a flying start as he scored a vital century to take the hosts to a total of 189 runs for the loss of 3 wickets at tea on day one of the second Test match between India and England in Chennai today. At the Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane were unbeaten at the crease.

Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 132 runs off 178 balls including 16 fours and 2 sixes. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane played ain important role with his unbeaten 36 runs of 80 deliveries which included 5 boundaries.

The duo steadied the innings with a hundred-run stand after India lost three important wickets before lunch.

Rohit Sharma's opening partner Shubman Gill was dismissed for a duck in 3 balls by Olly Stone. To make matters worse, India captain Virat Kohli was also dismissed for a duck as he was bowled by Moeen Ali after facing just five deliveries. Jack Leach took the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara (21) shortly before Virat Kohli's dismissal.

Earlier, India won the toss and elected to bat in the second Test against England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Saturday.

India has made three changes to the side that lost the first Test. They have rested Jasprit Bumrah and brought in Mohammed Siraj. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who is making his Test debut, and Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav replace left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem and off-spinner Washington Sundar, respectively.

For England, pace bowler Stuart Broad comes in for James Anderson, Olly Stone replaces the injured Jofra Archer. Also coming into the side are off-spin bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali in place of Dom Bess and Ben Foakes for Jos Buttler.

"It's a good wicket. Day One is going to be good for batting. We expect it to slow down from Day Two," said India captain Virat Kohli.

"We would have batted first as well. We have got to try and take early wickets. Hopefully, we can make some inroads this morning," said England captain Joe Root.

England won the first Test at the same venue by 227 runs to take 1-0 lead in the four-Test series. India need to at least draw this match to stay in contention for the World Test Championship final.

Playing XIs

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, CheteshwarPujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj

England: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Joe Root (captain), BenStokes, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes (wicket-keeper), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Olly Stone.

Inputs from IANS

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