2nd test: India win toss, elect batting against England

The off-spinner nonetheless demonstrated that sharp turn was already available, as was universally predicted for this venue’s maiden Test.

“The way we are placed at the moment, I think anything above 500 will be a good total for us”, Pujara said.

For Kohli, it was another day and another century as he made his intention clear early on against the leading English wickettaker James Anderson who had dismissed the skipper five times from nine Tests, most by any bowler.

The swashbuckling Indian batsman, who is unbeaten at 151, put on a marathon 226-run stand for the third wicket with Pujara (119) after the hosts lost their openers early to the England seamers.

Broad had bowled just two deliveries of what was expected to be the final over before tea and attempted in vain to usher the dog from within the boundary rope. We spoke about that at lunch. “There will be more variable bounce, we have seen a few spin, so we are in tough position and we need to have a good day with the ball and an extremely good go with the bat”. We just wanted to capitalise on the situation.

After their shaky start the home side piled on the runs, and at one point England were glad a stray dog’s appearance on the outfield forced tea to be taken early. The animal refused to leave despite the best efforts of ground staff, and Stuart Broad (1-39), who tried to shoo it away in order to resume his over.

Pujara also survived a England review for leg before against Moeen Ali with replays showing he was hit outside the line.

But Anderson struck again with the new ball late in the day, earning England a crucial breakthrough, inducing an edge from Rahane. His three innings of 150 as captain have been bettered by only two Indian captains – Sunil Gavaskar (5) and Mohammad Azharuddin (5). Sure, there are some questions over their batting after they folded in the second innings, and the toss will have a big say on the result, but England should be out of their depth if the pitch is turning, as they demonstrated in Bangladesh.

“Hopefully we can pick up more wickets in the morning with the new ball”, Anderson said.

Lokesh Rahul (0) was caught at third slip off Broad. But Anderson took Vijay by surprise with a short ball which looped off his gloves giving a simple catch to Stokes at gully.

“It was frustrating at times”.

“I have spent the last two months working really hard to get back into the side”.

Cook had held Moeen back until the 40th over, but the off-spinner soon appeared more likely to take a wicket than either Rashid or Zafar Ansari before him.