India at 49/2, need 261 runs to win vs England (Tea report)

Rajkot, Nov 13 (IANS) India scored 49/2 and required 261 more runs to win on the final day of the first Test match against England at the Saurashtra Cricket Association here on Sunday.

Murali Vijay (29) and skipper Virat Kohli (2) were at the crease when umpires called for the tea break.

Chasing a target 310, India started off on a poor note as opener Gautam Gambhir (0) was dismissed by pacer Chris Woakes in the second over of the innings. Joe Root took a simple catch at the second slip to send back the opener.

Following the wicket, came Cheteshwar Pujara (18), who along with Vijay forged a crucial 47-run partnership for the second wicket to steady the fort but just when things seemed good, spinner Adil Rashid sent back Pujara just before the tea session. Pujara missed the straight delivery from Rahid and was struck right in front.

For the visitors, Woakes and Rashid scalped one wicket each.

Earlier, England captain Alastair Cook (130 not out) slammed his 30th century to pull England to 211/2, extending their overall lead to 260 runs, at lunch.

It was Cook's fifth century in India, that put the visitors in a commanding position.

He was accompanied by Ben Stoles at the crease at lunch at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

Brief score:

India 488 and 49/2 ( Murali Vijay 29(batting); England 537 and 260 for 3 dec (Cook 130, Hameed 82)

--IANS

gau/vt