KL Rahul hit 86 and Ravindra Jadeja closed in on a half-century Friday to push India’s lead to 63 runs on day two of the opening Test against England.
India were 309-5 at tea with Jadeja on 45 and wicketkeeper-batsman K.S. Bharat on nine at tea in Hyderabad.
Rahul’s anchoring 86 ended with a big heave on a long-hop from Test debutant Tom Hartley that landed in the palms of Rehan Ahmed at deep mid-wicket.
It was Hartley’s second strike of the day after Shubman Gill. Rahul’s exit ended a 65-run stand with the left-handed Jadeja, who stood firm and kept up the attack to entertain a crowd of more than 25,000 fans taking advantage of the Republic Day national holiday.
England struck in the third over after lunch when Shreyas Iyer holed out to deep mid-wicket for 35 off leg-spinner Ahmed.
India lost overnight batting duo Yashasvi Jaiswal and Gill inside the first hour of play after resuming on 119-1.—APP
