Anderson Swings It Back

Rahul Holds Fort As Kohli Gets Golden Duck, Pujara Fails Again On Rain-Hit Day

- Dwaipayan Datta

Cricket in England has its own charm. Good batting conditions under a bright sun may turn into a haven for swing bowling in a matter of minutes. The hosts were at the receiving end of such a mood swing of the clouds on the first day, and come Thursday, it was India’s turn to face the music in the first Test in Nottingham.

The sun was shining and so were the Indian openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma chasing England’s meagre 183 in the first innings. James Anderson & Co. were doing everything at their disposal to break a burgeoning partnership, but neither Rahul nor Rohit seemed in any sense of discomfort.

Playing late, close to the body, and leaving as much as possible outside the off-stump -- the duo was following the three basic principles of playing well in England and India had strolled to 97.