The Indian team learned little from the mistakes that they committed on the opening day of the first Test against England as the visitors made merry on a batting paradise at Rajkot.
Just like the first day, the Indian fielders failed to give a good performance on the field and as a result, Alastair Cook’s men posted a mammoth total of 537 runs. Resuming the day on 311 for 4, Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes started the day aggressively and played shots all around the park. Moeen Ali soon completed his century before being bowled on 117 by Mohammad Shami. But the left-handed batsman had given his team a solid platform for a huge score and the English batsmen made sure to capitalize on that. Ben Stokes, who was dropped twice by Wriddhiman Saha, kept on playing aggressively and scored 128 runs. He was ably supported by Jonny Bairstow who scored 46 off 57 balls. A cameo of 32 runs from Zafar Ansari helped the visitors to cross the 500-run mark.
In reply, the Indian openers made a fine start and took India to 63 without loss after the end of the second day. Murali Vijay was unbeaten on 25 while Gautam Gambhir remained not out on 28. The hosts are still 474 runs behind England’s total and will look to make a solid start on the third day to close the huge gap.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play:
https://twitter.com/cricketworms/status/796670863047159808
Have to appreciate this start by @mvj888 & @GautamGambhir
Not easy to Bat 23 overs in the Post Tea session after fielding 160 overs #INDvENG— Hariharan Durairaj ??️ (@hariharan_draj) November 10, 2016
Finally a complete session that belonged to India. Tomorrow's going to be a big day! Eng : 4.5 – Ind : 1.5 #SessionScore #INDvENG
— Adwait Kulkarni (@I_Sherlocked) November 10, 2016
That's the start you need in the first innings of a 5 match series, especially when you are trailing by 537 runs – Steady & solid. #INDvENG
— Naveen (@Kn3rg) November 10, 2016
This pitch is flatter than a nightclub pint of Carling Black Label. #INDvENG
— Dan Whiting (@TheMiddleStump) November 10, 2016
2/167 – First innings returns of Ashwin on a home pitch similar to what Harbhajan bowled for a majority of his career. #IndvEng
— Aditya (@forwardshortleg) November 10, 2016
England was last team which scored over 500 in India.. 4 years back..in Kolkata they scored 523 and today in Rajkot, they improved.#INDvENG
— Vimal कुमार (@Vimalwa) November 10, 2016
Given the quality of Indian bowling & fielding so far, I suppose this team also needs to be referred to venerable Lodha Committee #INDvENG
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) November 10, 2016
Three hundreds in a innings for England great batting display what a start to the series #INDvENG
— Phil Tufnell (@philtufnell) November 10, 2016
The boys have batted outstandingly! They're constantly learning and improving. They've given themselves a real chance to go 1 up!?#INDvENG
— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) November 10, 2016
England could soon be the only people in India with a 500 that's worth something. #INDvENG
— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) November 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/holdingwilley/status/796585370078957569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Whats wrong with Indian bowling and fielding, why so pathetic
— 15Degrees (@desigiri82) November 10, 2016
The manner in which Umesh has smiled through the fielding bloopers of his bowling has been a really admirable. Great character #IndvsEng
— Arun Venugopal (@scarletrun) November 10, 2016
England lost the last Test against Low ranked team now troubling the Top ranked team which is why Test Cricket is beautiful.. ?
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) November 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/MadridistaSays/status/796589352499310592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw