Ind vs Eng, 2nd Test: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul finally solve India’s opening conundrum, score hundred partnership against England

Ind vs Eng, 2nd Test: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul finally solve India’s opening conundrum, score hundred partnership against England –  India opening batsman KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma posted a 100 run partnership in the 2nd Test against England here at the Lord’s Cricket Stadium on Thursday. With this partnership, India is on the top of the game. England won the toss and asked India to bat first, but Indian openers showed great resilience in the first two hours of the game to nullify the toss advantage.

This is the first time that India’s opening batters have put on more than 100 runs in a Test played outside Asia since 2011. This is also the highest first-innings opening partnership for India at Lord’s since 1952. Rohit was not able to get to the three-figure mark as he was sent back to the pavilion by England pacer James Anderson. At the tea break, India’s score is 157/2 with Rahul (55*) and Virat Kohli (0*) unbeaten at the crease.

After the lunch break, Rohit and Rahul continued from where they left and brought up the 100-run opening stand in the 33rd over of the innings. Rohit was the aggressor of the two and was marching ahead to another century in the longest format.

However, he was not able to register a century as he was sent back to the pavilion by James Anderson in the 44th over and this brought an end to the 126-run opening partnership. Rohit got out after scoring 83 runs. This brought Cheteshwar Pujara (9) to the middle and he once again failed to get going and was dismissed by Anderson. In the end, Kohli and Rahul ensured that India entered the tea break with eight wickets in hand.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul brought out their A-game to the middle as the visitors went into the lunch break without losing a single wicket. At the lunch break, India’s score read 46/0 with Rohit (35*) and Rahul (10*) unbeaten at the crease.

The first session saw few interruptions due to rain and only 18.4 overs were bowled in the session. Earlier, Joe Root-led England won the toss and opted to bowl and the home team skipper made no bones about the fact that he wanted to make use of the overcast conditions to put pressure on India. But Rohit and Rahul ensured India has a solid foundation.

Rohit & Rahul – 100/0 (33 overs)

First 100+ opening stand for India in Tests outside Asia since Jan 2011; the last pair to do so being Virender Sehwag & Gautam Gambhir (137) against SA in Centurion in Dec 2010

Rohit Sharma’s Highest Test scores ‘away’ from home

81* at Lord’s today
79 at Colombo in Aug 2015
72 at Auckland in Feb 2014

He has 7 Test centuries – all at home!

Back after lunch and the partnership between #TeamIndia openers has crossed the 60-run mark 💪💪

Live – https://t.co/KGM2YEualG #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/WooEl5bWjd

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 12, 2021

2018: 7.2 overs
2019: 6.1 overs
2020: 3.3 overs
2021: 19.1 overs (since Rohit started opening)