Anderson return, and dog, not enough to stop class of Kohli shining through
Tourists facing uphill battle in second Test
WHEN a dog invaded the field and stopped play just before tea on the opening day of this second Test it was apt given England’s bowlers were left chasing their tails by the brilliance of Virat Kohli.
India’s captain, playing in his 50th Test, had a point to prove against Alastair Cook’s side given he averaged just 13.40 in his last series against them in England two years ago.
And despite a fine return from Anderson, the leader of England’s attack taking three wickets in his first game back since August, this was Kohli’s day to shine as he reached stumps unbeaten on 151 and with his team in the commanding position of 317-4.
Anderson has dismissed Kohli five times in Tests, more than any other bowler.
Yet he was unable to do anything to stop him on this first day.
The 34-year-old bowler, looking close to his best after recovering ahead of schedule from a shoulder injury, did at least break Kohli’s 226-run stand with Cheteshwar Pujara.
India’s third-wicket pair had helped their side recover from 222 early on as Lokesh Rahul, the recalled opener edging Stuart Broad to third slip, and Murali Vijay, becoming Anderson’s first wicket when he gloved a short ball to Ben Stokes at gully, both departed.
However, it was hard work for England after that as the spinners, so controlled during the drawn first Test in Rajkot, lost their way.
India had gone into lunch just ahead on 92-2.
Kohli and Pujara then went through the afternoon session scoring 118 unanswered runs before the stray dog finally stemmed the flow and prompted an early tea.
The sight of a security guard chasing the canine around the outfield for several minutes offered some light relief from England’s toils. At one stage the exasperated security man brandished his shoe and attempted to throw it at the dog.
It would not have been a surprise if Stokes had done something similar earlier in the afternoon when Adil Rashid dropped Kohli at long leg off the Durham all-rounder’s bowling. It was the one genuine chance of the session and England were made to pay for it as both Kohli and Pujara, both in the 90s at tea, reached three figures early in the evening session.
Pujara was first, reaching his tenth Test century in 184 balls by clubbing a short ball from Rashid high over deep midwicket for six.
Following on from his firstinnings 124 in Rajkot, it was another impressive display from India’s No3.
Kohli followed three overs later, pushing Anderson through point for two to exact some measure of retribution on a man who has proved his nemesis over the years.
India’s score stood at 248 when they lost their third wicket, Anderson tempting Pujara to chase a wider delivery and seeing him edge behind to Jonny Bairstow.
It was less celebration and more relief for England’s fielders.
But a raucous crowd of around 10,000, swelled by ranks of school children and the decision to allow free entry into the ground, could not be silenced with Kohli at the crease.
He may only be ranked 13th in the world Test rankings but the man who is arguably the best white-ball batsman on the planet is rapidly catching up in the longest form of the game.
His century here was the 14th