Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara both put India in a strong position after Day one of the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.&nbsp;

Both the players hit centuries to put up a marathon 226-run stand for the third wicket as India reached 317 for four after the early loss of the openers.&nbsp;

England seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad took one, after India opted to bat in the first ever test match in the port city. They missed a chance to send Kohli back after Adil Rashid dropped Kohli&#39;s mistimed pull shot off Stokes. Pujara also survived a England review for leg before against Moeen Ali with replays showing he was hit outside the line.

Fit-again opener Lokesh Rahul, who replaced Gautam Gambhir in the Indian side, lasted just five deliveries as fast bowler Stuart Broad dismissed him in his first over.

Rahul fell for a duck, hanging his bat away from his body to edge Broad to Ben Stokes at the third slip.

His opening partner Murali Vijay looked in good touch, hitting four crisply driven boundaries in his 20 before he fell to James Anderson.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

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Kohli-Pujara's 226-run partnership put India at 317 after the loss of four wickets on the Day one of the Visakhapatnam Test

Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara both put India in a strong position after Day one of the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. Both the players hit centuries to put up a marathon 226-run stand for the third wicket as India reached 317 for four after the early loss of the openers. England seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad took one, after India opted to bat in the first ever test match in the port city. They missed a chance to send Kohli back after Adil Rashid dropped Kohli's mistimed pull shot off Stokes. Pujara also survived a England review for leg before against Moeen Ali with replays showing he was hit outside the line. Fit-again opener Lokesh Rahul, who replaced Gautam Gambhir in the Indian side, lasted just five deliveries as fast bowler Stuart Broad dismissed him in his first over. Rahul fell for a duck, hanging his bat away from his body to edge Broad to Ben Stokes at the third slip. His opening partner Murali Vijay looked in good touch, hitting four crisply driven boundaries in his 20 before he fell to James Anderson. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India vs England: Kohli, Pujara tons take India to 317/4

England skipper Alastair Cook said Wednesday his spinners were running high on confidence and could turn the tables on top-ranked India if a turning track was offered in the second Test in Visakhapatnam.

England&#39;s raw spin trio of Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Zafar Ansari shared 13 wickets between them to force the mighty Indians on the backfoot in the drawn first Test in Rajkot.

Leg-spinner Rashid led the charge with seven wickets as the hosts held on to a tense draw after losing six quick wickets on the final afternoon.&nbsp;

On the same track, India&#39;s famed spin attack struggled, with the world number one bowler Ravichandran Ashwin returning a dismal 3-230 -- his worst bowling figures at home since December 2012.

Cook credited the success of his tweakers to former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, whose contract as England&#39;s spin consultant has been extended until the third Test of the ongoing five-match series.

&quot;I thought they bowled excellently as a group of three spinners,&quot; Cook told reporters ahead of the second Test beginning on Thursday.

&quot;Credit to Saqi (Saqlain) coming in and giving those guys confidence to go out and play. They are inexperienced in these conditions but they took a big step forward and it&#39;s great to see that.

&quot;If they continue at that level, like in Rajkot, then there is no reason why we can&#39;t put pressure on Indian batting with our spinners.&quot;

Cook led from the front with a brilliant 130 in the second innings, one of four centuries by the visiting batsmen, to counter the Indian bowlers in their own den.

&quot;We got a good total and we managed to push the game forward to the fifth day.

&quot;Unfortunately we didn&#39;t quite get over the line but we begin afresh 0-0 at the start of the second Test. And we are here to give India a run for their money,&quot; said Cook.

Spin Test

England though face a late selection quandary over pace spearhead Chris Woakes, who is down with a minor knee injury.

Fast bowler Jimmy Anderson would be itching to take the field against India after missing the first Test but Cook admitted he faced tough competition.

India&#39;s spin force of Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra failed to get the desired success on a fast Rajkot track, sharing nine wickets in the two innings.

Indian captain Virat Kohli who had criticised the presence of grass on the Rajkot wicket, is expecting turn in Visakhapatnam, which is set to host its first Test ever.

&quot;It&#39;s a wicket where spinners will find it really nice to bowl on and expect the same going into the game,&quot; said Kohli.

&quot;We want to focus on our strengths and play the cricket that we have as a team at home and put the pressure on the opposition.&quot;

Kohli also confirmed fit-again opener Lokesh Rahul was a certainty in the starting XI, dousing any chance of veteran Gautam Gambhir playing a part in the series.

The left-handed Gambhir, making a comeback to the national side after a gap of two years, scored 29 and a duck.&nbsp;

(AFP) 
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After England's spin trio thrashed India in the first Test, Cook and Co are raring to face the hosts in the second Test in Visakhapatnam

England skipper Alastair Cook said Wednesday his spinners were running high on confidence and could turn the tables on top-ranked India if a turning track was offered in the second Test in Visakhapatnam. England's raw spin trio of Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Zafar Ansari shared 13 wickets between them to force the mighty Indians on the backfoot in the drawn first Test in Rajkot. Leg-spinner Rashid led the charge with seven wickets as the hosts held on to a tense draw after losing six quick wickets on the final afternoon. On the same track, India's famed spin attack struggled, with the world number one bowler Ravichandran Ashwin returning a dismal 3-230 -- his worst bowling figures at home since December 2012. Cook credited the success of his tweakers to former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, whose contract as England's spin consultant has been extended until the third Test of the ongoing five-match series. "I thought they bowled excellently as a group of three spinners," Cook told reporters ahead of the second Test beginning on Thursday. "Credit to Saqi (Saqlain) coming in and giving those guys confidence to go out and play. They are inexperienced in these conditions but they took a big step forward and it's great to see that. "If they continue at that level, like in Rajkot, then there is no reason why we can't put pressure on Indian batting with our spinners." Cook led from the front with a brilliant 130 in the second innings, one of four centuries by the visiting batsmen, to counter the Indian bowlers in their own den. "We got a good total and we managed to push the game forward to the fifth day. "Unfortunately we didn't quite get over the line but we begin afresh 0-0 at the start of the second Test. And we are here to give India a run for their money," said Cook. Spin Test England though face a late selection quandary over pace spearhead Chris Woakes, who is down with a minor knee injury. Fast bowler Jimmy Anderson would be itching to take the field against India after missing the first Test but Cook admitted he faced tough competition. India's spin force of Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra failed to get the desired success on a fast Rajkot track, sharing nine wickets in the two innings. Indian captain Virat Kohli who had criticised the presence of grass on the Rajkot wicket, is expecting turn in Visakhapatnam, which is set to host its first Test ever. "It's a wicket where spinners will find it really nice to bowl on and expect the same going into the game," said Kohli. "We want to focus on our strengths and play the cricket that we have as a team at home and put the pressure on the opposition." Kohli also confirmed fit-again opener Lokesh Rahul was a certainty in the starting XI, dousing any chance of veteran Gautam Gambhir playing a part in the series. The left-handed Gambhir, making a comeback to the national side after a gap of two years, scored 29 and a duck. (AFP)

India vs England: Skipper Cook upbeat ahead of 2nd Test

Debutant Haseeb Hameed struck his maiden fifty and shared an unbroken century partnership with captain Alastair Cook to push England&#39;s lead over India to 163 runs on day four of the first test on Saturday.

The 19-year-old Hameed was unbeaten on 62 at the close with Cook on 46 as England reached 114 without loss, virtually ruling out the prospect of an India win on the final day.

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid earlier picked up four wickets to help the touring side dismiss India for 488 and take a first-innings lead of 49 runs. India&#39;s Ravichandran Ashwin made 70 to deny England a bigger advantage.

Right-hander Hameed, the youngest opener to play a test for England, reached his half-century with a delicate late cut for four off leg-spinner Amit Mishra. He hit five fours and a six.

England, who made 537 in their first innings, earlier picked up the wickets of India captain Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane in the first session and looked on course for a sizeable lead.

All-rounder Ashwin and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha (35) added 64 for the seventh wicket to reduce the deficit.

Resuming on 319-4, Kohli and Rahane appeared untroubled, picking up singles and twos as well as occasional boundaries.

Rahane missed a straight delivery playing across the line to left-arm spinner Zafar Ansari and was bowled for 13, ending their 30-run partnership.

Kohli, India&#39;s best batsman, looked in fine touch and struck crisp boundaries in his 40 before the right-hander was out hit wicket, his back leg brushing the stumps as he tried to pull a Rashid delivery.

Kohli stood in disbelief before trudging off with his team on 361 for six.

Rashid took the wickets of local boy Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh Yadav to take his innings tally to four.

England captain Cook dropped number 11 batsman Mohammed Shami at slip off Stuart Broad and India adding another 29 runs for the final wicket.

Ashwin, who hit seven boundaries, was the last man out when he holed out at deep midwicket, giving off-spinner Moeen his second wicket of the innings.

(Reuters) 
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England reached 114 without loss after dismissing India for 488, virtually ruling out the prospect of an India win on the final day

Debutant Haseeb Hameed struck his maiden fifty and shared an unbroken century partnership with captain Alastair Cook to push England's lead over India to 163 runs on day four of the first test on Saturday. The 19-year-old Hameed was unbeaten on 62 at the close with Cook on 46 as England reached 114 without loss, virtually ruling out the prospect of an India win on the final day. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid earlier picked up four wickets to help the touring side dismiss India for 488 and take a first-innings lead of 49 runs. India's Ravichandran Ashwin made 70 to deny England a bigger advantage. Right-hander Hameed, the youngest opener to play a test for England, reached his half-century with a delicate late cut for four off leg-spinner Amit Mishra. He hit five fours and a six. England, who made 537 in their first innings, earlier picked up the wickets of India captain Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane in the first session and looked on course for a sizeable lead. All-rounder Ashwin and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha (35) added 64 for the seventh wicket to reduce the deficit. Resuming on 319-4, Kohli and Rahane appeared untroubled, picking up singles and twos as well as occasional boundaries. Rahane missed a straight delivery playing across the line to left-arm spinner Zafar Ansari and was bowled for 13, ending their 30-run partnership. Kohli, India's best batsman, looked in fine touch and struck crisp boundaries in his 40 before the right-hander was out hit wicket, his back leg brushing the stumps as he tried to pull a Rashid delivery. Kohli stood in disbelief before trudging off with his team on 361 for six. Rashid took the wickets of local boy Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh Yadav to take his innings tally to four. England captain Cook dropped number 11 batsman Mohammed Shami at slip off Stuart Broad and India adding another 29 runs for the final wicket. Ashwin, who hit seven boundaries, was the last man out when he holed out at deep midwicket, giving off-spinner Moeen his second wicket of the innings. (Reuters)

India vs England: Debutant Hameed hits maiden fifty, England lead by 163

Stylish batsman Joe Root scored a smashing 124 before being pulled down by India&#39;s Umesh Yadav on the first day of the opening Test against India on Wednesday.

Root was in top form during his 144-ball knock, which was studded with nine fours, almost replicating his 154 not out against India during the 2014 series.

The 25-year-old right-hander shared a 107-run stand with Moeen Ali, who was on 48, to take England to 209-3 at tea at the Saurashtra Cricket Association ground in Rajkot.

The unbroken stand for the fourth wicket steadied England after the visitors were reduced to 102-3 in the first session.

Root, who struck his 24th Test half-century and fifth against India, survived a review for lbw after replays showed an inside edge, while the left-handed Ali also frustrated the Indian bowlers.

Nothing seemed to go India&#39;s way in the afternoon as leading seamer Mohammed Shami limped with a likely hamstring injury.

The opening session saw Haseeb Hameed, 19, become the youngest player to open the batting for England on debut.

The youngster, dubbed &quot;Baby Boycott&quot; for his unflappable style, made 31 during his 98-minute stay at the crease before falling lbw to world number one-ranked spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (2-60).

Ashwin also dismissed Ben Duckett for 13 after skipper Alastair Cook elected to bat on what seemed a placid wicket.

Hameed as well as Cook (21) benefited from the largesse of India&#39;s fielders who were guilty of dropping some early chances.&nbsp;

Cook was dropped off Shami off the third ball of the innings while Hameed got a reprieve on 13 when Murali Vijay grassed his catch at first slip.

The England skipper, who surpassed Michael Atherton&#39;s record of 54 Tests as England captain, was adjudged leg before off left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (1-42).&nbsp;

TV replays showed the ball would have missed the leg stump but Cook did not refer to the third umpire even though the decision review system is being used for the first time by India in a home series.

Hameed showed little sign of nerves against top-ranked India, twice hitting Shami for boundaries in an over and driving Ashwin for an elegant four in the covers.

(AFP)

His unbroken stand for the fourth wicket steadied England after the visitors were reduced to 102-3 in the first session

Stylish batsman Joe Root scored a smashing 124 before being pulled down by India's Umesh Yadav on the first day of the opening Test against India on Wednesday. Root was in top form during his 144-ball knock, which was studded with nine fours, almost replicating his 154 not out against India during the 2014 series. The 25-year-old right-hander shared a 107-run stand with Moeen Ali, who was on 48, to take England to 209-3 at tea at the Saurashtra Cricket Association ground in Rajkot. The unbroken stand for the fourth wicket steadied England after the visitors were reduced to 102-3 in the first session. Root, who struck his 24th Test half-century and fifth against India, survived a review for lbw after replays showed an inside edge, while the left-handed Ali also frustrated the Indian bowlers. Nothing seemed to go India's way in the afternoon as leading seamer Mohammed Shami limped with a likely hamstring injury. The opening session saw Haseeb Hameed, 19, become the youngest player to open the batting for England on debut. The youngster, dubbed "Baby Boycott" for his unflappable style, made 31 during his 98-minute stay at the crease before falling lbw to world number one-ranked spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (2-60). Ashwin also dismissed Ben Duckett for 13 after skipper Alastair Cook elected to bat on what seemed a placid wicket. Hameed as well as Cook (21) benefited from the largesse of India's fielders who were guilty of dropping some early chances. Cook was dropped off Shami off the third ball of the innings while Hameed got a reprieve on 13 when Murali Vijay grassed his catch at first slip. The England skipper, who surpassed Michael Atherton's record of 54 Tests as England captain, was adjudged leg before off left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (1-42). TV replays showed the ball would have missed the leg stump but Cook did not refer to the third umpire even though the decision review system is being used for the first time by India in a home series. Hameed showed little sign of nerves against top-ranked India, twice hitting Shami for boundaries in an over and driving Ashwin for an elegant four in the covers. (AFP)

Cricket: Root scores century for England in first test against India

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India vs England: Kohli, Pujara tons take India to 317/4

India vs England: Skipper Cook upbeat ahead of 2nd Test

India vs England: Debutant Hameed hits maiden fifty, England lead by 163

Cricket: Root scores century for England in first test against India