PHOTOS: Rahane's century rescues India at Lord's

Ajinkya Rahane scored a well-compiled century to rally India's on the opening day of the second Test against England at Lord's on Thursday.

- Scorecard

England had reduced the visitors to 145 for seven on a bowler-friendly pitch early in the final session, but Rahane's 103, along with support from number nine Bhuvneshwar Kumar (36), ensured India a total of 290 for nine at the close.

Having won the toss and elected to bowl, the hosts initially struggled to find their rhythm on a green-looking surface, taking only two wickets before lunch.

However, a four-wicket burst in the middle session followed by another dismissal shortly after tea put England in control before Rahane's late assault.

Rahane's knock, which included 15 fours and a six, was ended by a sharp caught and bowled effort by James Anderson late in the day.

Tail-enders Ishant Sharma (12) and Mohammed Shami (14) safely navigated the closing overs to ensure England will have to come out and bowl on Friday morning.

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England shrugged off a poor morning session to wrest the initiative as a four-wicket burst after lunch reduced India to 140 for 6.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni lost the toss and was asked to bat by Alastair Cook, seeking to take advantage of a distinctly green-looking pitch in the second match of the five-Test series.

The surface was in marked contrast to the one used in Nottingham, which came in for fierce criticism for its placid nature as the first match petered out to a tame draw.

After being presented with a pitch to their liking, England initially failed to grasp the opportunity to make significant inroads into the Indian line-up, managing just two wickets before lunch.

However, four more dismissals in the middle session put the hosts in the driving seat, with Rahane (26) and Stuart Binny (6) left to salvage the innings after tea.

Earlier in the morning, Anderson gave England the breakthrough, claiming the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan (7 off 11 balls).

The pacer sent down a virtually unplayable delivery, which moved away and Dhawan could only edge it to Gary Ballance at third slip.

India were 11 for 1 after three overs.

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Anderson, who bowled close to the stumps and made the batsmen play more than fellow-pacer Staurt Broad, sent down five straight maiden overs after which his figures read 5-5-0-1.

Interestingly, there were 56 dot balls in the first 10 overs.

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Just when opener Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara appeared to have settled down after enduring a torrid time from pacers Anderson and Broad, Liam Plunkett, who replaced Broad, tasted success in his fifth over.

He had Vijay (24 from 67 balls) caught by Ballance at third slip. The batsman tried to flick the ball on the leg side but got an outside edge and it carried to the slip cordon, where Ballance took a good diving catch.

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Soon after lunch Anderson struck again, claiming the key wicket of Virat Kohli.

India’s vice-captain edged an out-swinger and was caught by Matt Prior, diving to his right.

Kohli was looking good as he scored 25 from 34 balls but done in by another splendid delivery from the England pacer, who bowled on the stumps and got good movement.

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India were then dealt a huge blow when Ben Stokes dismissed Pujara.

The batsman was bowled by an in-swinging delivery after a patient knock of 28 off 117 balls, including four boundaries.

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Broad, who bowled well right through the morning session, crippled India further when he had Mahendra Singh Dhoni caught behind for one.

India’s captain flashed at one away from his body and Prior did will to take the offering.

That dismissal left the tourists reeling at 123 for five in the 48th over.

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Moeen Ali's part-time spin fetched England another wicket, as Ravindra Jadeja was adjudged leg before for 3.

Losing their fourth wicket of the post-lunch session left India tottering at 128 for 6.

Four wickets were lost for the addition of 67 runs in the session of 28 overs as tea was taken at 140 for 6.

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Bhuvneshwar Kumar once again showed his ability with the bat as he and Rahane put on a crucial 90-runs stand for the eighth wicket. 

The duo soon brought up the 150-run mark, courtesy of some poor bowling from England bowlers in the third session.

Rahane brought up his half-century off 101 balls, with seven fours, and then the 50-run partnership came up in the 75th over of the day.

An over later they brought up India's 200, something that looked improbable in the post-lunch session.

Broad provided the much-needed breakthrough as he castled Bhuvneshwar for 36.