Put into bat under tough overcast conditions, Indian openers Rohit Sharma (83 runs off 145 balls) and KL Rahul (127* runs off 248 balls) brought out their A-game to attain a perfect record 126-run opening partnership - highest opening stand for India at Lord's since 1974 - to help India reach 276/3 at Stumps against England on the opening day of the second Test at the Lord's Cricket Ground on Thursday.
Rohit missed out on scoring his maiden international ton in Test cricket as veteran James Anderson dismissed him for 83 in the 44th over of India's innings. But his partner KL Rahul attained a historic maiden Lord's ton - his sixth centuey overall in Tests.
After Rohit's dismissal, KL Rahul was joined by Cheteshwar Pujara as the duo were set on the mission to carry the Indian innings forward. However, Test specialist Pujara (9 runs off 23 balls) failed yet again as an stunning out-swinger from Anderson connected his bat's edge and went straight to Bairstow at third slip. Captain Virat (42 runs off 143 balls), the next man in, stitched another 100-run stand with Rahul off 175 balls to help their team go 250-up on just the opening day. At the end of Day's play, Virat lost his wicket just before stumps, while Rahul and Rahane remained unbeaten at crease.
Only 18.4 overs were bowled in the first session, which saw few interruptions due to rain. At the lunch break, India's score read 46/0 with Rohit and Rahul unbeaten at the crease. Rohit and Rahul battled it out in the first ten overs and ensured England fail to get the early breakthrough in the initial phase of Day 1 of Lord's Test. England bowlers bowled tightly, but the Indian openers were up to the task.
Earlier, England won the toss and opted to field first. Skipper Joe Root revealed that he wanted to win the toss and put India to bat first to make use of the overcast conditions to put the visitors under pressure. But Rohit and Rahul ensured India has a solid foundation to begin with.