Highlights, India vs England, 2nd Test at Lord's, Full cricket score: KL Rahul's unbeaten 127 puts visitors in front on Day 1

23:56 (IST)

That brings us to the end of our coverage of the opening day of the second Test between England and India at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. Joe Root might just go on to regret choosing to bowl first on a surface that has appeared ideal for batting so far. Conditions aside, it was also a terrific display from the pair of Rahul (127*) and Rohit (83), the pair negotiating a hostile early spell from James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, surviving several close shaves and keeping threats at bay before capitalising on England’s dwindling intensity, putting India within touching distance of the 300-run mark with seven wickets in hand and a plenty of batting to come.

Couple of disappointments though, with Virat Kohli’s century drought getting another extension as he got dismissed in the final minutes of the day’s play. And Cheteshwar Pujara might have made it even more difficult for Kohli and the team management to retain him at No 3 after yet another low score.

Do join us tomorrow from 2 pm for our live coverage of the second day’s play. For now, we bid you good night.

23:51 (IST)

After 90 overs,India 276/3 ( KL Rahul 127 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

India vs England 2nd Test

Curran bowls out the final over of the day, conceding one off it, as India end the day on a commanding position of 276/3, thanks mainly to KL Rahul’s majestic 127 not out and Rohit Sharma’s superb 83 earlier today. Still a fair amount of batting to come with Rahane slowly finding his touch, and Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja yet to come. Anderson the pick of the English bowlers today with figures of 2/52.

23:48 (IST)

After 89 overs,India 275/3 ( KL Rahul 126 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

India vs England 2nd Test

Robinson ends the day with figures of 23-7-47-1, giving away just a solitary run in his last over of the day. Rahane, meanwhile has collected just one run so far while having faced 17 deliveries. Big shout for LBW in the last delivery with the vice-captain the batsman in question, but umpire Illingworth thinks it’s high. One more over to go after this.

23:43 (IST)

After 88 overs,India 274/3 ( KL Rahul 125 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

India vs England 2nd Test

Curran returns with just three overs left in the day’s play. Just one from the over as Rahul collects a single off the third ball to move to 125. The pair will hope to see off the remaining two overs without creating any more chances for the hosts.

23:39 (IST)

After 87 overs,India 273/3 ( KL Rahul 124 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

India vs England 2nd Test

Couple of shouts for LBW against Rahane in this over, with the hosts going for the review in the second one in the fourth delivery. Looked like it was sliding down leg to the naked eye, and that is indeed the case on Hawk Eye, resulting in England wasting yet another review, leaving just one more in their kitty. Rahane remains defensive for the remainder of the over as Robinson collects a maiden.

23:34 (IST)

After 86 overs,India 273/3 ( KL Rahul 124 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

India vs England 2nd Test

Six from Anderson’s latest over, including a single off the third ball that gets vice-captain Rahane off the mark, followed by an exquisite boundary to Rahul the very next delivery.

23:33 (IST)

FOUR! Glorious from Rahul! Takes a couple of steps forward and pushes the half volley from Anderson past the man at cover. IND 273/3

23:30 (IST)

After 85 overs,India 267/3 ( KL Rahul 119 , Ajinkya Rahane 0)

India vs England 2nd Test

India’s hopes of the set pair staying unbeaten overnight are put to rest as Robinson gets rid of Kohli for 42 with a little over five overs left in the day. Root collects the catch safely in the slips to dismiss his Indian counterpart. Interestingly, it’s Rahane walking out instead of a nightwatchman. Just one run and a wicket from this over.

23:27 (IST)

OUT! Big wicket for England as Kohli misses out on a half-century by just eight runs. Another outside edge, this time the ball flies straight to first slip. The partnership, meanwhile, has finally been broken, as Kohli's century drought continues. IND 267/3

Kohli c Root b Robinson 42(103)

23:24 (IST)

After 84 overs,India 266/2 ( KL Rahul 118 , Virat Kohli (C) 42)

India vs England 2nd Test

A single on either side of the boundary collected by Rahul off the second delivery, in which he gets on the back foot and punches a back-of-length ball through backward point. Another close shave for Kohli in the last delivery as the outside edge off his bat dies down before it can land in the palms of one of the slip fielders. Six from the over.

23:21 (IST)

FOUR! Back-of-length delivery from Anderson, Rahul gets on the backfoot and punches this through backward point for four. IND 265/2

23:20 (IST)

After 83 overs,India 260/2 ( KL Rahul 113 , Virat Kohli (C) 41)

India vs England 2nd Test

Tidy over from Robinson as he walks away with a maiden, with Rahul choosing to leave the deliveries alone. Another seven overs left in the day’s play, which Rahul and Kohli will hope to see off without taking too many risks.

23:18 (IST)

After 82 overs,India 260/2 ( KL Rahul 113 , Virat Kohli (C) 41)

India vs England 2nd Test

Anderson returns to the attack with less than 10 minutes left in the day’s play. Kohli works the ball behind square for a single off the second delivery. Mistimed pull by Rahul two balls later that, luckily from him, lands well beyond fine leg’s reach, allowing him to grab an easy single. Just two from this over.

23:12 (IST)

After 81 overs,India 258/2 ( KL Rahul 112 , Virat Kohli (C) 40)

India vs England 2nd Test

Second new ball taken, but its Robinson and not Anderson who gets the first crack at it, surprisingly so. Robinson though, starts off with an absolute peach that nips away in the last second and nearly gets Rahul’s outside edge. Rahul collects a double off the second delivery, before executing a luscious drive through the covers off the third, making optimal use of the hard new cherry that travels through the outfield at a quicker pace. Six from the over.

23:09 (IST)

FOUR! Driven through the covers with authority, has Rahul off a full delivery from Robinson. IND 258/2

23:07 (IST)

After 80 overs,India 252/2 ( KL Rahul 106 , Virat Kohli (C) 40)

India vs England 2nd Test

Tidy over from Moeen as he gives away just two from this over, a single each to Rahul and Kohli. The partnership between the two, meanwhile, is just one shy of the century mark. Three from Wood’s latest over. The second new ball will now be available. Expect Root to quickly hand it to Anderson.

23:04 (IST)

Hundred partnership up between Rahul and Kohli for the third wicket, the latter collecting a single at the start of the 80th over to bring up the milestone. The partnership, which has put the Indians back in control after Anderson's dismissal of Rohit and Pujara in the second session, has withstood 175 deliveries so far, and will hope to last till stumps. IND 250/2

23:02 (IST)

After 79 overs,India 249/2 ( KL Rahul 104 , Virat Kohli (C) 39)

India vs England 2nd Test

Tidy over from Moeen as he gives away just two from this over, a single each to Rahul and Kohli. The partnership between the two, meanwhile, is just one shy of the century mark. And one more over before the second new ball becomes available.

23:00 (IST)

After 78 overs,India 247/2 ( KL Rahul 103 , Virat Kohli (C) 38)

India vs England 2nd Test

Celebrations in the Indian camp in this over as Rahul brings up his sixth Test hundred with a boundary off the third ball of this over, having consumed more than 200 deliveries along the way. Six from Wood’s 15th over.

22:57 (IST)

FOUR! KL Rahul makes up for the near-miss at Trent Bridge by making it to the Lord's honours board! And what a way to bring up his sixth Test hundred and second on English soil, steering the ball towards wide third man off Wood. Takes 212 balls to get to the milestone, the first 100 of which was spent in a state of extreme caution, which was followed by him switching gears and taking charge after Rohit Sharma's exit. IND 245/2

22:54 (IST)

After 77 overs,India 241/2 ( KL Rahul 98 , Virat Kohli (C) 37)

India vs England 2nd Test

Kohli whips the ball through the covers off the second delivery, coming back for a second run. Two balls later, the India captain’s nearly done in by a grubber, getting an inside edge that narrowly misses the off stump and deflects off the keeper’s pad to run all the way to the long stop boundary. Six from the over.

22:53 (IST)

FOUR! Unlucky for Ali, and a very streaky boundary for Kohli as the inside edge narrowly misses the off pole, instead deflecting off the keeper's pad and running away to long stop. IND 241/2

22:51 (IST)

After 76 overs,India 235/2 ( KL Rahul 98 , Virat Kohli (C) 31)

India vs England 2nd Test

Single off each of the first two deliveries, before Rahul inches closer to his ton with a boundary off the third ball, driving the ball through the covers. Dot off each of the last three deliveries.

22:49 (IST)

FOUR! KL Rahul moves to 98 with this boundary! Full delivery from Wood, Rahul pushes this through the covers with precise timing. IND 235/2

22:48 (IST)

After 75 overs,India 229/2 ( KL Rahul 93 , Virat Kohli (C) 30)

India vs England 2nd Test

Root sticks with Moeen for now, keeping a silly mid on in place. Kohli collects a single at the start of the over to move to 30, before being brought back on strike two balls later as Rahul collects one to move to 93. Rahul will hope to navigate through the nervy period of the innings safely and hope he doesn’t miss out on the milestone like he did in the first essay at Nottingham.

22:45 (IST)

After 74 overs,India 227/2 ( KL Rahul 92 , Virat Kohli (C) 29)

India vs England 2nd Test

Wood replaces Robinson, and maybe we’ll see a change from the other end too after this over. Rahul sets off for a single in the third delivery. Peach of a delivery to Kohli in the fourth as the ball nearly kisses the outside edge. Kohli keeps the strike with a single off the last delivery as he steers the ball behind square on the off side.

22:39 (IST)

After 73 overs,India 225/2 ( KL Rahul 91 , Virat Kohli (C) 28)

India vs England 2nd Test

Moeen continues on the other side of the drinks break. Rahul, who’s batting in the nervous nineties right now, collects a single off the second delivery. Kohli taps the ball around in the remaining deliveries of the over, but the tight field around him doesn’t let him set off for a run.

22:33 (IST)

After 72 overs,India 224/2 ( KL Rahul 90 , Virat Kohli (C) 28)

India vs England 2nd Test

LBW appeal against Kohli off the second delivery of this over, but Robinson doesn’t look entirely convinced even if he joins the chorus. Looks like a case of a faint inside-edge. Meanwhile Hameed’s positioned at short leg, a tad closer to the batsman to snaffle any chance that might come in that direction. And a chance does appear when Kohli lobs the ball towards midwicket, the ball airborne for what might have seemed like an eternity for the batsman, before ultimately landing well beyond a fielder’s reach. Just the one from this over, with the umpire signalling drinks at the end of it.

22:30 (IST)

After 71 overs,India 223/2 ( KL Rahul 89 , Virat Kohli (C) 28)

India vs England 2nd Test

Another boundary for Kohli, this time drilling the ball down the ground off Moeen with impeccable timing to beat mid on. A single each to Kohli and Rahul after the boundary. Partnership between the two in excess of 70 at the moment.

22:27 (IST)

FOUR! Fuller delivery from Moeen, Kohli gets on top of the ball and drives it down the ground to collect his second boundary. IND 221/2

22:26 (IST)

After 70 overs,India 217/2 ( KL Rahul 88 , Virat Kohli (C) 23)

India vs England 2nd Test

Kohli gets a bat-pad deflection in the penultimate delivery of this over, the ball airborne for a while before landing in the empty square leg region. That should prompt Root to place a man in that direction, and sure enough, we see a short leg being brought in. Three from the over. Another 10 overs to go before the second new ball becomes available.

22:22 (IST)

After 69 overs,India 214/2 ( KL Rahul 87 , Virat Kohli (C) 21)

India vs England 2nd Test

Root goes back to spin as Moeen gets the ball back in his hand after an extended period in the outfield. Three singles from the over as Kohli moves into the 20s, looking fairly settled if still somewhat cautious.

22:17 (IST)

After 68 overs,India 211/2 ( KL Rahul 86 , Virat Kohli (C) 19)

India vs England 2nd Test

Robinson replaces Wood and is welcomed back into the attack with a superbly-timed square drive from Kohli off the second ball. VK attempts a similar shot two deliveries later, but is intercepted at cover. Takes a quick single off the penultimate ball to bring Rahul back on strike. Dot to end the over.

22:14 (IST)

FOUR! Kohli welcomes Robinson back into the attack with an exquisite square drive — his first boundary of the innings. IND 210/2

22:12 (IST)

After 67 overs,India 206/2 ( KL Rahul 86 , Virat Kohli (C) 14)

India vs England 2nd Test

Misfield in the midwicket region allows Rahul, who’s moved past Rohit’s score by now, to come back for a second in the fourth delivery. Two from the over.

22:09 (IST)

After 66 overs,India 204/2 ( KL Rahul 84 , Virat Kohli (C) 14)

India vs England 2nd Test

Wood bowls with a short leg in place. The pacer, meanwhile, focuses on the short length while bowling to Kohli in this over, the India skipper dodging or ducking under them. Testing over from Wood, with just one coming off it.

22:08 (IST)

After 65 overs,India 203/2 ( KL Rahul 83 , Virat Kohli (C) 14)

India vs England 2nd Test

Loud appeal for caught-behind against Rahul in the third delivery of this over, but only Buttler seems to be genuinely interested as the umpire shakes his head. Tidy over from Curran with just one coming off it, a single to Rahul.

22:01 (IST)

After 64 overs,India 202/2 ( KL Rahul 82 , Virat Kohli (C) 14)

India vs England 2nd Test

Unlike the overcast skies earlier this morning that was accompanied by frequent passing showers, it’s bright and sunny at the Home of Cricket at the moment, perhaps the most pleasant playing conditions so far in the series. Rahul collects a single off the second delivery, before Kohli gets India past the 200-mark with back-to-back doubles. Five from the over.

22:00 (IST)

Fifty partnership up between Rahul and Kohli for the third wicket, the pair having consumed 81 deliveries so far. The India skipper brings up the milestone, as well as India's 200, with a double off Wood. A much-needed stand to revive India's hopes for a big total after Rohit and Pujara's dismissals. IND 200/2

21:53 (IST)

After 63 overs,India 197/2 ( KL Rahul 81 , Virat Kohli (C) 10)

India vs England 2nd Test

Rahul moves to 80 with a single at the start of the over. Kohli follows suit next ball, moving to double figures with a solitary run. Rahul keeps the strike with a single off the last delivery.

21:49 (IST)

After 62 overs,India 194/2 ( KL Rahul 79 , Virat Kohli (C) 9)

India vs England 2nd Test

Rahul nudges a rising delivery from Wood past the keeper towards fine leg, collecting an easy double on offer. Root, meanwhile, gets a leg slip in place to counter the flurry of pulls from Rahul that fly wide of the keeper, but doesn’t keep the same for Kohli. Three from the over.

21:45 (IST)

After 61 overs,India 191/2 ( KL Rahul 76 , Virat Kohli (C) 9)

India vs England 2nd Test

Curran continues, and keeps it tidy in this over as only two runs are added to the Indian total. The partnership between Rahul and Kohli, worth 41 at the end of this over, will have started worrying English skipper Root by now, and will hope Wood and Curran are able to break this soon.

21:41 (IST)

After 60 overs,India 189/2 ( KL Rahul 75 , Virat Kohli (C) 8)

India vs England 2nd Test

Change from both ends as Wood, who’s bowled quite a few deliveries in excess of 90 mph today, replaces Anderson. Starts off on a tidy note as he concedes a single each to Rahul and Kohli.

21:36 (IST)

After 59 overs,India 187/2 ( KL Rahul 74 , Virat Kohli (C) 7)

India vs England 2nd Test

Three runs for Kohli at the start of the over as Curran returns to the attack, replacing Robinson. Drives the ball through the covers, with both Hameed and Sibley giving the ball a chase all the way to the boundary, the latter just about pulling the ball back inside after a bit of confusion between the two. The fielders though, have little answer to another exquisite drive from Rahul as he moves into the 70s with a boundary off the second delivery. Eight from the over.

21:33 (IST)

FOUR! This time even better from Rahul, as he steers this square through point, holding his pose for the photographers at the end of the shot. IND 186/2

21:31 (IST)

After 58 overs,India 179/2 ( KL Rahul 69 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

India vs England 2nd Test

Four off the over, with Rahul playing a lovely cover drive off the penultimate delivery, leaning forward and playing the out swinger on the up to send the ball scurrying through the cover region. He’s collected six fours so far and is looking quite solid, reaching 69 with that boundary.

21:30 (IST)

FOUR! Lovely cover drive by Rahul, leaning forward and playing on the up. Not much any of the fielders could have done about that. Rahul's looking in good nick at the moment. IND 179/2

21:27 (IST)

After 57 overs,India 175/2 ( KL Rahul 65 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

India vs England 2nd Test

Expensive over from Robinson as he strays down the leg side on a couple of occasions — conceding a boundary to Rahul as he gloves the ball wide of Buttler, before conceding four byes off the last delivery. Nine from the over.

21:24 (IST)

FOUR! Second boundary of the session, and this is a streaky one for Rahul as he gloves a short ball from Robinson wide of the diving Buttler. IND 170/2

21:23 (IST)

After 56 overs,India 166/2 ( KL Rahul 60 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

India vs England 2nd Test

Kohli vs Anderson once again. The Indian skipper though, remains cautious at the crease with just two runs coming from this over — a single to each batsman.