KL Rahul continued his good form with the bat by remaining unbeaten on 127 as India ended
Day 1 in an commanding position at 276/3 against England at Lords on Thursday.
England made three changes to their side with Haseeb Hameed, Moeen Ali and Mark Wood coming in for Zak Crawley, Dan Lawrence and Stuart Broad who has been ruled out of the series due to injury. India on the other hand made a solitary change with Ishant Sharma replacing the injured Shardul Thakur.
After being sent into bat asked by home skipper Joe Root, the visitors pair of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul laid a solid foundation at the top with a 126 run stand for the opening wicket before the former was bowled by a brilliant in-swinger from James Anderson for 83.
Cheteshwar Pujara’s poor run with the bat continued as he poked at an Anderson delivery to Jonny Bairstow at third slip.
Skipper Virat Kohli along with Rahul added 117 runs for the third wicket before Ollie Robinson provided the vital break through by dismissing the Indian skipper caught at slip for 42.
The 29 year old Rahul and vice captain Ajinkya Rahane saw the day through without any further hiccups.
James Anderson was the pick of the bowlers for England with figures of 2/52, while Robinson claimed a solitary wicket.
Stumps at the end of Day 1.
India 1st innings 276/3- (KL Rahul 127*, Rohit Sharma 83, James Anderson 2/52, Ollie Robinson 1/47)