Stumps, Day 1 | That's the end of opening day's play. India have done well to put 300 on board. It was not that easy track to bat on. Hats off to Rohit Sharma for his knock of 161. He was well assisted by Ajinkya Rahane, who scored 67. Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel are batting on 33 and five respectively.
OUT! Joe Root strikes! He gets rid of Ravi Ashwin. Ollie Pope takes the catch, he then tried to run him out as well. India six down now as we near the close of day's play. R Ashwin c Ollie Pope b Root 13(19)
OUT! One more wicket goes down. India have lost half the side now. Moeen Ali accounts for Ajinkya Rahane. End of a fine knock this. Rahane is bowled while playing a sweep shot. A Rahane b Moeen Ali 67(149)
OUT! BIG wicket this for England. That's the end of Rohit Sharma. He brings out the sweep, gets the top-edge and Moeen Ali takes the catch at deep square leg. Rohit c Moeen Ali b Jack Leach 161(231)
Rohit Sharma reached the 150-run mark for the fourth time in his Test career as India continue to dominate in the second Test in Chennai. The Hitman has been brilliant in his innings so far and would want to get to his second double century in Test matches.
Ajinkya Rahane completes his half-century. This is his 23rd fifty in Tests. The partnership between him and Rohit Sharma is now worth off balls. These two have not only bailed India out of the trouble but made sure to attack England bowlers.
Tea break | Good session this for India. Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane's partnership has gone past the hundred-run mark. In 28 overs in this session, India scored 83 runs and most importantly didn't lose a wicket.
That's hundred up for Rohit Sharma. Excellent innings this for the right handed batsman. While others struggled, he played a fabulous knock. Important innings this for Rohit.
Watchful start this for India after the lunch break and rightly so. India need one big partnership here to stamp the authority on the Test. England will be eyeing to pick few more wickets in this session.
Lunch Break | It is time for lunch. Rohit Sharma has been a standout batsman for India this morning as England bowlers knocked out three batsmen. Rohit is unbeaten on 80 and giving him company is five. Two ducks, Pujara and Kohli- for India in this innings thus far.
Skipper Virat Kohli's captaincy will be under scanner again as India will look to level the ongoing four-match series against England in the second Test beginning Saturday here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium to keep alive their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. India need to win two Test matches and also the series in order to face New Zealand in the WTC final to be held at Lord's, London in June. If England win the second Test, India will be out and the fight for the place in the final will be between Australia and England. India vs England Live Streaming Online 2nd Test 2021 Day 1 on Star Sports and Disney+Hotstar: Get Free Live Telecast of India vs England on TV, Online and Listen to Live Radio Commentary.
India under Kohli have lost two Tests in the last two months whereas they won two out of three Tests in Australia in Ajinkya Rahane's leadership in the same period. There have already been calls for Rahane to take over Test captaincy and another loss could see the calls growing louder.
The Joe Root-led side has made four changes from the team that played the first Test as a result of an injury, lack of form and rotation policy. James Anderson has been replaced by Stuart Broad as part of rotation policy, Dom Bess has been left out due to poor form in second innings of first Test and replaced by Moeen Ali while wicket-keeper Ben Foakes comes in place of Jos Buttler who has flown back to England also as part of the rotation policy. One of either Chris Woakes or Olly Stone will replace Jofra Archer who is out with a shoulder niggle. India vs England 2nd Test 2021 Preview: Likely Playing XIs, Key Battles, Head to Head and Other Things You Need to Know About IND vs ENG in Chennai.
India, meanwhile, are likely to replace left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem with Axar Patel who is now fit to play. Axar was injured in the first Test which England won by 227 runs. The key to India will be stopping Joe Root who scored a double century and helped England build a huge total. Root's 218 had helped England score 578 and put pressure on India who conceded a 241-run lead in the first innings and were put on the backfoot.