Hyderabad: India were in control of the first Test match after taking first innings lead of 63 over England at Tea in the first innings on Day 2 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Friday.
KL Rahul, who was in great touch, missed his century but Ravindra Jadeja marched on to keep the momentum on India’s table.
The hosts were 309/5 in reply to England’s 246 in their first as Ravindra Jadeja and Srikar Bharat remained not out on 45 and 9, respectively.
In the post-lunch session, India scored 87 runs in 26 overs, losing two wickets as debutant Tom Hartley gave a good start to the tourists by dismissing Shreyas Iyer caught at deep midwicket after the Mumbaikar made 35 off 63 balls, with 3 boundaries and a six.
The wicket did not bother Rahul as he launched a counterattack on England spinners with Jadeja on his side. They put on a brisk 65-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Rahul was dismissed for 86 off 123 balls with 8 boundaries and 2 sixes as he tried to hit Hartley over deep midwicket but was caught by Rehan Ahmad.
Post that, Jadeja and Bharat batted cautiously, and ensured India did not lose further wickets before the second break of the day.
Brief scores: India 309/5 (KL Rahul 86, Yashasvi Jaiswal 80; Tom Hartley 2/113) lead England 246 by 63 runs.
