IND vs ENG | Rahul's classy knock, Jadeja's aggression carry India past 300

England tour of India: India vs England first Test in Hyderabad on January 26, 2024 — Day 2

KL Rahul’s classy effort and Ravindra Jadeja’s measured aggression carried India to 309 for five at tea for a slender yet significant lead despite a spirited fight by England bowlers on the second day of the first Test in Hyderabad on January 26.

India are now 63 runs ahead of the visitors, with Ravindra Jadeja (45 batting) and KS Bharat (9 batting) manning the crease.

Despite that lead, the more prevalent feeling inside the Indian camp after the second session of the day will be one of slight disappointment, as none of their set frontline batters did not score a hundred.

Throughout his 123-ball 86, Rahul was a picture of imperious timing and meticulous shot-selection. He also seemed to have imbibed a lot of confidence from that hundred against South Africa last month at Centurion.

The way he dealt with the leg-spin of Rehan Ahmed was breathtaking, biffing him for two sixes in the space of four balls.

Rahul moved closer to the ball and deposited it over the sight-screen for the first maximum, and then rocked back to smoke an absolute pie over mid-wicket for another six.

It was total domination from a batter who showed the right kind of technique to negate a slightly tacky pitch.