India is determined to redeem some of its lost prestige in the third test match Tent Bridge, as they have reached 305/5 thanks to a fighting fourth wicket partnership between Virat Kohli(97) and Ajinkya Rahne(81).
The 159 partnership for the fourth wicket ensured that India do not go Lord's way as they lost the first three wickets for 82 runs as almost all the top three batsmen opened their innings comfortably but could not carry forward.
Shikhar, after making a comeback, started timing the ball and scored fluent 37 with four boundaries but perished in an away going delivery of Wokes giving a catch at the deep.
Lokesh Rahul went 5 runs later and when Chris Wokes got the third wicket of the morning by sending Chetswar Pujara, everyone thought that it was repeat of Lords once again.
But Virat Kohli was determined not to let it go. He proved he is the best batsmen of the world as he was on way to the second century of the series. With sun up and shining, the ball was not doing much movement and Kohli had no problem in milking the English bowler.
All-rounder Chris Woakes reduced India to 82 for three at lunch but both the middle-order batsmen fought valiantly against the England seamers in the second session of the opening day.
Bright sunshine also helped the Indians as England bowlers struggled to move the ball in the air. Both Rahane and Virat played cautiously but also punished the bad balls frequently. The session run-rate for the team was 3.65 and was also the first session for the visitors in the series where that managed not to lose a wicket. For England, bowlers tried really hard but were not able to get the breakthrough.
