India lose Rahul at the stroke of lunch

On Aug 27, 2021

K. L. Rahul’s wicket at the stroke of lunch pegged India back further in the Headingley Test yesterday as the visitors slipped to 34 for one in their second innings, needing another 320 to make England bat again.

With the dark clouds gathering overhead and a light drizzle in the air, the pitch was momentarily covered during the change-over but caused no delay in play as India began their second innings with a mammoth deficit of 354.

Openers Rahul and Rohit Sharma did well to see through James Anderson’s probing five-over spell without any drama even though he got the ball to swing in helpful conditions.

The duo showed excellent awareness of their off-stump and left well anything that was in the danger zone. Rohit, in fact, even hit him for a cover drive early on.

Earlier, Craig Overton struck back-to-back boundaries off Mohammad Shami in the opening over of the day to take England’s lead past 350 before the bowler had his revenge in the next over.

Chief scores

India: 78 and 34/1 at lunch (Rohit Sharma 25 n.o)

England: 432. (Agencies)