India vs England 2nd Test Day 1: 5 talking points
Winning the toss and opting to bat first in the second Test at Visakhapatnam on a good batting track, Kohli and Pujara helped overcome the loss of the openers pretty early in the day. Fine centuries from the middle order batsmen pushed India to a competitive total of 317/4 at stumps on Day 1.
While Kohli remained unbeaten on 151, continuing a fine streak of form, Pujara was dismissed for 119 attempting a poor shot against Anderson, but only after scoring his 9th Test hundred.
On a pitch considered to be a sharp turner, England spinners failed to extract the kind of turn and bounce expected, leaving the bulk of the job to their seamers, who did an admirable job in containing India's power-packed batting line-up.
Also read: Who Said What: World reacts to Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara's superb batting performance
India's position at the end of the day does not auger well for England given that they have to bat last on a wicket expected to take turn later in the game. India have also acquired the services of another offie in Jayant Yadav to counter the bulk of left-handers in England's middle order.
Let us take a glance at 5 talking points from Day 1 at Visakhapatnam.
#5 The return of James Anderson
With Chris Woakes nursing a niggle and Anderson available for selection, England decided to rest Woakes and give Anderson a go. The move paid rich dividends as Anderson was the standout bowler on Day 1 for England, picking up 3 of the 4 wickets to fall.
With his immaculate line and length bowling, Anderson probed the Indian batsmen with frequent questions in a fine opening burst that accounted for Murali Vijay's wicket. Vijay was surprised by a sudden bouncer after dealing adeptly with the line and length stuff from Anderson. England's leading Test wicket-taker showed no signs of rust, as he was right on the money from ball one.
After prizing out Vijay, Anderson returned to disrupt the 226-run stand between Kohli and Pujara, tempting Pujara into a loose stroke. At the fag end of the day, in the penultimate over, he grabbed Rahane's wicket with the new ball to cut down India's advantage.