STUMPS - DAY 2

India 63-0 (23 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

India have made a strong start as the openers put on 63 runs in 23 overs before stumps on the second day in reply to England's mammoth 537.

Veteran Gambhir looked good, especially against the spinners, scoring 28 from 68 balls, while Vijay was unbeaten on a solid 25 from 70 balls.

Earlier, centuries from Joe Root (124), Moeen Ali (117) and Ben Stokes (128) has lifted England to a huge 537 in their first innings after the visitors had elected to bat first on a flat wicket.

Local boy Jadeja was India's top wicket taker with three for 86, while Ashwin, Yadav and Shami picked two wickets each.

Resuming the second day on 311 for four, England continued to pile on the runs with Moeen completing his century in the first over of the day before he was dismissed by Shami.

Stokes, who was dropped twice by wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha off Umesh Yadav,  took the attack to the Indians in the morning session in the company of Bairstow, who hit a brisk 46.

India 63-0 (23 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid comes into the attack. A full toss is flicked through midwicket by Gambhir for a four before he hits it to the covers for a single and Vijay watchfully defends the remaining three deliveries.

Two overs to go, but Gambhir is keen to keep the runs coming as he turns Ansari to mid-on and steals a quick single.

But at the other end, Vijay looks to have shut shop for the day and is content to play for stumps with just an over left after this one.

Rashid to bowl the final over of the day. Gambhir cuts a short ball to sweeper cover as the two batsmen have a yes-no situation before they settle for a single.

Vijay picks a single before Rashid beats Gambhir with one that turns the other way and bounces a bit more, nearly dragging the left-hander out of the crease.

He takes a single from the last ball as India reach 63 for no loss in 23 overs at stumps on Day 2.

India 54-0 (20 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

England have looked to stifle the two Indian openers with some disciplined bowling and create some pressure.

Left-arm spinner Zafar Ansari comes into the attack in place of Ali, who bowled a tidy first spell of six overs for six runs.

Ansari's first ball turns slightly as Vijay blocks it on the off-side and the fourth ball stays low as the right-hander goes for the cut but is beaten.

He hits the last ball to sweeper cover for a single to keep the strike as just a single comes from Ansari's first over.

Ansari has a huge appeal for LBW turned down against Gambhir with the ball clearly looking to be going down the leg side. He then takes a couple of steps down but can only defend it to short leg before he turns the last ball to fine leg for one.

India are 54 for no loss in 20 overs with Vijay on 24 and Gambhir and 20 and both having batted relatively trouble-free till this point.

India 50-0 (16 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Woakes comes back as Vijay turns the first ball on the leg side for two runs before he confidently defends the rest of the over as India go into the first drinks break at 37 for no loss in 11 overs.

In his next over, he gifts Gambhir a full toss which he drives through point for a four to continue his confident start.

Moeen bowls a good delivery to Vijay, getting some sharp turn to beat the right-hander and wicketkeeper Bairstow is also foxed to give away four byes.

Gambhir's open stance means he is playing away from his body with his front foot moving away from the ball, straight down the pitch rather than towards the ball when playing against spinner Moeen.

A single on the leg side to Gambhir brings up India's 50 in the 16th over.

India 35-0 (10 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

England introduce spin early as off-spinner Moeen Ali comes into the attack and he is up against Gambhir, who is one of the better players of spin in India.

Gambhir confidently plays out the first over of spin from Ali, getting his foot right up to the ball whenever it is pitched up to defend it on the off-side.

Vijay gets an inside edge off Broad but it goes back on to his pads but is able to see off the rest of the over.

Meanwhile, Moeen gets one to turn big and also a bit of bounce as left-hander Gambhir is beaten all ends up and the wicketkeeper is also unable to gather it as it goes for four byes. Gambhir plays from the crease but got nowhere close to the ball as it spin past the edge of the bat and beat the left-hander all ends up.

Vijay reaches out to a wide delivery from Broad and places it perfectly in the gap in the covers for a stylish boundary.

Broad looks for some swing but the straight bat of Vijay punches it straight back past the bowler for the second four of the over.

The last ball is steered through the vacant thirdman region for the third boundary of the over as Vijay shows off his good touch.

Just one close in fielder for Ali at slip as silly point is taken off. Gambhir turns the third ball through midwicket for two runs

India have made a good start to reach 35 for no loss in 10 overs with Gambhir on 11 and Vijay on 19.

India 17-0 (5 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Chris Woakes to bowl the second over. Even he drifts on the pads and Gambhir clips it through square leg for a four to get off the mark with a boundary.

Gambhir with an open stance, which Sunil Gavaskar claims as "way too open", manages to see off the rest of the over comfortably.

Broad overpitches slightly and offers a bit of width as Vijay takes a good stride forward before driving it through the covers for a couple.

Woakes tries a quick bouncer who ducks under it as it passes way over him and is called a wide for height.

Woakes looking to slant the ball across the left-hander and make him play at one with three slips waiting for the edge.

However, Woakes offers too much width and Gambhir opens the face of the bat and cuts it past point for a four.

A single each to Vijay and Gambhir as India reach 17 for no loss in five overs.

India 4-0 (1 ov) vs England 537 | Scorecard

India's openers, Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijay, walk out to open the innings for the hosts with a huge task ahead of them.

The first ball to Vijay is left alone as it carries at a good height to the keeper. The next ball is on the pads as Vijay flicks it fine on the leg side for a four to get India off the mark.

There is a slight appeal for caught at short leg off the last ball but nothing from the umpire.

TEA - DAY 2

England 537-all out (159.3 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Centuries from Joe Root (124), Moeen Ali (117) and Ben Stokes (128) has lifted England to a huge 537 in their first innings after the visitors had elected to bat first on a flat wicket.

Local boy Jadeja was India's top wicket taker with three for 86, while Ashwin, Yadav and Shami picked two wickets each.

Resuming the second day on 311 for four, England continued to pile on the runs with Moeen completing his century in the first over of the day before he was dismissed by Shami.

Stokes took the attack to the Indians in the morning session in the company of Bairstow, who hit a brisk 46.

Overall, England scored 226 runs in 66.3 overs for the loss of six wickets on the second day.

India will need a strong performance with the bat to make a strong reply to England's huge score and their primary goal would be to make a good start and not lose too many wickets in the final session on Day 2.

England 537-all out (159.3 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Shami appeals for LBW against Ansari, which is turned down but the Indians don't take the DRS despite having two in hand and one wicket in hand. But maybe because that clearly looked to be slipping down the leg side.

Ansari plays a good pull shot, despatching a short ball from Yadav through midwicket for a four.

With just one wicket remaining, play has been extended by 30 minutes.

With two left-handers out in the middle, Kohli decides to bring back Ashwin. The young Ansari shows scant respect World No. 1 spinner Ashwin, dancing down the track and lofting him over mid-on for a four and then keeps strike with a single from the last ball.

The hapless Mishra, who has gone wicketless in 22 overs, comes back. He nearly gets his first wicket as Broad gets an inside edge but Rahane at leg slip is unable to take a sharp chance to his right despite a full length dive.

Broad has a close shave as he loses his bat while going for a quick run but makes his ground with his foot.

Mishra finally bags his first wicket as Ansari goes for the sweep but misses and is given leg before wicket by umpire.

But the left-hander takes the DRS which also goes in India's favour as the onfield umpire Chris Gaffaney had ruled it out.

England are bowled out for a massive 537 in 159.3 overs after Ansari is given leg before wicket after a good innings of 32, while Broad remains unbeaten on six.

England 517-9 (153 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Mishra makes way for Shami as India bring back pacers from both ends with around 20 minutes to go for the tea break, hoping for a short burst from the two fast bowlers.

Stokes looks to heave Shami on the leg side but gets it on the inside half of the bat for a single on the leg side. Ansari takes a quick single on the leg side despite Stokes struggling with some cramps.

A single each to Stokes and Ansari brings up the 50-run stand for the ninth wicket from 122 balls, in the 151st over bowled by Yadav.

It is Yadav, who gets the big wicket of Stokes as he is brilliantly caught by a diving Saha down the leg side.

Stokes, who hit a magnificent 128 from 235 balls, hitting 13 fours and two sixes, looks to run Yadav fine on the leg side but gets a thin edge as Saha dives to his right to complete a good catch.

Stokes continued England's run feast as he put on 52 runs for the ninth wicket with Ansari.

No. 11 Stuart Broad, who is playing in his 100th Test match, defends the last ball of the over getting behind it confidently. Broad averages a healthy 21with a century and 10 fifties and could possibly be the best at No. 11.

England 509-8 (148 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Yadav comes back, replacing Ashwin, who has picked just two wickets in 44 overs in this innings.

He is getting some reverse as he looks to pitch it and get the ball to move late. Ansari takes a single from the second ball before Stokes sees off the rest of the over.

Mishra, who has managed to keep the runs down in the last few overs, bowls another tidy over with just two singles coming from it.

Interestingly, this is the 25th time a visiting team has scored 500-plus in India and importantly India have not won the previous 24 Tests.

This is the first time in nearly four years that a visiting team has scored 500-plus India and England was the last team to do it -- Kolkata in December 2012.

England looking to bat as long as possible as they reach 509 for eight in 148 overs with Stokes on 122 and Ansari on 16.

India have been able to restrict the scoring rate after the lunch break, with 59 runs coming from 25 overs in the post lunch session for the loss of two wickets.

England 506-8 (144 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Stokes makes a lot of room and looks to hit Ashwin through the off-side but captain Kohli dives full length to his right in the covers stops the single.

Ansari plays out a maiden over from Jadeja as England look keen to bat as ling as possible and get past the 500-run mark.

Stokes comes down the track to Ashwin but he is beaten by one which goes straight one, takes the inside edge and beats the wicketkeeper for a four.

That was a possible chance for wicketkeeper Saha but a difficult one as the left-hander got the inside edge.

Mishra comes back and immediately Stokes decides to cut loose. He goes for a big hit down to long-on where Vijay takes the catch, but has touched the boundary ropes before he flicks the ball inside and it is called a six.

He goes for the sweep but gets a top edge and once again luck is on his side as it falls safely on the leg side for another single.

Stokes turns Ashwin on the leg side for a single to bring up England's 500, in the 143rd over.

Ansari goes after Ashwin as he gives the off-spinner the charge and lofts him over mid-on for a four.

England 480-8 (136 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

It remains to be seen if Stokes will look to go on the attack with just two wickets left for England.

He looks to steal a quick single to Ashwin at mid-off but the fielder misses the direct hit.

New batsman Zafar Ansari confidently defends the first ball he faces, from Shami, to end the 131st over.

Despite taking a wicket in his previous over Jadeja is taken off as he makes way for Ashwin.

Stokes gets a single from the third ball to take his score to 97 and Ansari gets his first runs in India with a single on the leg side.

India finally get a direct hit but even that results in extra runs as Ansari gets two runs after Mishra hits the stumps from the covers.

Stokes miscues yet again as he goes after Ashwin, trying to hit it over long-off but it falls safely between two fielders on the off-side for a single.

Ansari smartly hands the strike back to Stokes with another quick single on the leg side but the left-hander defends the rest of the over.

Stokes cuts a short ball from Jadeja through the point for a four to bring up his his fourth Test century in some style, from 173 balls.

He becomes the third England batsman to score a century in this innings as the visitors make most of batting first on a good flat track.

What a comeback by Stokes against India after he registered three ducks in his first three innings against them.

England 465-8 (130 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Welcome back for the coverage of the post-lunch session on Day 2 of the Rajkot Test.

Jadeja, who bowled just one over in the morning session, will start off after the lunch break.

And Jadeja strikes in his very first over with the wicket of Woakes, who looks to defend but gets an edge and is caught behind for four.

England have another all-rounder out in the middle in the form of Adil Rashid at No. 9, who has 10 first class centuries to his credit.

Mohammed Shami, who bowled a good spell in the morning session, will start off from the other end.

He is getting the ball to reverse as Stokes defends the first ball which bounces close to the stumps and the batsman has to kick it away. He takes a quick single off the fourth ball with Kohli doing well to rush to midwicket from short cover and he would have caught Rashid if he had got the direct hit.

Jadeja not giving Stokes anything to work with, bowling it flat and full, as he defends before sweeping the third ball to deep square leg for one.

Stokes looking to get his eye in after the lunch break, not taking too many risks at the start of the session.

He turns Shami on the leg side for two runs to midwicket with Mishra struggling to get to the ball.

Stokes hits a full toss straight to Mishra at mid-on who fumbles and lets the two batsmen get away with a quick single despite the huge misunderstanding and again Kohli is not happy with the effort.

Stokes heaves Jadeja on the leg side but mishits it high on the leg side as captain Kohli makes a valiant effort rushing back from midwicket but fails to get to the ball.

Infact, Vijay at long-on was in the best possible position to take the catch but he didn't go for the catch after seeing his captain rush for it.

Rashid cuts a short ball from Jadeja past the slip fielder for a four to get off the mark.

Mishra in the thick of things yet again as Stokes hit it to mid-on and sets off for a quick single but the fielder is unable to get the direct hit.

Rashid doesn't last long as he goes for a big over the leg side but fails to make proper connection and is caught at mid-on for five.

LUNCH - DAY 2

England 450-6 (123 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

England continued their domination with the bat as they amassed 139 runs in 30 overs in the morning session on Day 2, while losing just two wickets in the process to reach 450 for six in 123 overs at the lunch break on Day 2.

Stokes showed good positive intent to stroke 84 not out from 136 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six.

Moeen Ali, resuming on 99, completed his century in the first over of the day with a quick single before he was bowled for 117 by Shami.

Jonny Bairstow kept up the tempo for the visitors, hitting a fluent 46 from 57 balls, putting on 99 runs for the sixth wicket with Stokes to put England in control.

India's fast bowlers Shami and Yadav bowled well once again but were let down by some poor fielding wicket with wicketkeeper Saha putting down two catches in the space of two overs.

The spin troika of Ashwin, Mishra and Jadeja went for runs with the latter getting just one over in the session, in which Stokes went after him.

Shami got the two wickets to fall in the morning, that of Moeen and Bairstow, but was unable to prevent England from running away with the honours in the first session on Day 2.

England 450-6 (123 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Stokes in full attack mode as he gives Shami the charge and tries to heave it over the leg side but fails to time it and gets just one.

But Shami makes the breakthrough with the wicket of Bairstow, who throws his bat at a wide delivery but gets an edge and wicketkeeper Saha takes the catch cleanly this time.

Bairstow walks back after a brisk innings of 46 from 57 balls, putting on 99 runs for the sixth wicket with Stokes.

So pace from both ends now for the Indians with the ball reversing a little as Yadav replaces Jadeja, who bowled just one over in which he was hit for a few boundaries by Stokes.

Yadav bowls it full and gets the ball to shape away as Chris Woakes gets an edge which falls short of the fielder at a wide second slip.

Yadav bowls a full delivery on the pads which Woakes clips to the vacant fine leg region for a four to get off the mark in style.

Shami bowls the final over of the session which is easily seen off by Stokes and Woakes to end another profitable session for the visitors.

England 441-5 (120 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Stokes looks to sweep Mishra but is unable to connect as the Indians appeal for LBW which is turned down. He gets the next ball to turn big, beating everyone including the batsman and keeper as it slips down the leg side for four byes.

What is wrong with the Indian fielders???

Saha puts down another straightforward chance, to his left, off Stokes as India's horror show on the field continues. The first was in the previous over was tough but the second one was quite easy.

And Yadav sees a fourth catch being dropped off his bowling and he is not at all happy and even the captain is frustrated.

So far, India have dropped as many as five catches in four sessions of play and England won't complain if they continue with this.

No signs of Ravindra Jadeja as Mishra continues despite giving away a lot of loose deliveries.

Bairstow plays the inside out lofted shot over the off-side for a four and two balls later Mishra bowls a full toss which the right-hander hits through midwicket for another boundary.

And captain Kohli is not at all happy as he has a few words with the senior spinner, asking him to pitch the ball.

This has been another domination performance by England as they score more than 100 runs for the session with around 20 minutes still to go for the lunch break.

This is a surprise now, as Mishra continues with the ball despite struggling big time as Jadeja warms up, perhaps trying to make a point to his captain.

The boundaries continue to flow against Mishra as Stokes comes down and hammers it through the covers for a four.

Mishra bowls another poor delivery, short and wide, as Bairstow cuts it past point for the second four of the over. This is poor bowling from the experienced spinner, he has looked totally clueless and has given ample proof as to why Jadeja is preferred ahead of him in Tests.

Yadav bowls another good delivery, going past the edge of Stokes's bat and wicketkeeper Saha has held it cleanly this time.

Bairstow pulls a short ball from Yadav which hits the fielder at square leg and goes towards Kohli, who dives forward but takes it on the rebound.

He again attempts the pull but mistimes it and the ball falls short of a diving Jadeja at mid-on and goes through his legs for two runs.

Jadeja comes into the attack as Mishra is finally taken off after a poor spell in the morning session. Stokes immediately comes down and lofts the first ball over mid-off for a four before he pulls the next ball through square leg for two runs.

He walks across to the third ball and paddles it over fine leg for another four before taking a single in the covers off the fifth.

41 runs have come from the last seven overs as England reach 441 for five in 120 overs with Stokes on 80 and Bairstow on 46.

This morning England have scored 130 runs in 27 overs at a scoring rate of 4.8 for the loss of just one wicket.

England 400-5 (113 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Mishra pitches it short as Stokes pulls it to the deep on the leg side for a single. The spinners have got some purchase when they have slowed it down as Mishra gets Bairstow to edge one but it falls short of the fielder at slip.

Stokes shows some intent as he slog sweeps Ashwin over midwicket for a four. He has seen Ashwin get a couple to turn and bounce in the previous over and maybe Stokes is trying to disrupt the off-spinner's rhythm.

Stokes comes down the track and is beaten in the flight before he uses his pads to keep the ball out. Ashwin drifts on the pads as Stokes nudges it fine for the second four of the over.

Bairstow reads the googly from Mishra early and hammers it over long-on for a six to continue England's good showing with the bat on Day 2.

This must worry Kohli and Kumble as India's bowlers have not been able to pick wickets nor been able to keep a lid on the scoring rate.

A change in the bowling as Ashwin is taken off as Yadav is brought back. He is unlucky not to get the wicket of Stokes (60), who gets the edge but wicketkeeper Saha puts down a tough chance, diving to his left. That was a tough chance but you would expect a top wicketkeeper to pouch that, especially on a pitch where wickets have been difficult to come by.

That makes it four dropped catches for India as England continue to plunder the runs.

And to rub more salts on India's injury, Bairstow steers the last ball between the slip and gully fielder for a four to bring up England's 400, in the 113th over.

England 378-5 (109 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Stokes clips Ashwin through the leg side for two runs before getting a single off the next ball and Bairstow defends the last ball.

The pitch looks slightly more greener on Day 2 and has got a bit more pacy as compared to the opening day and looks loaded with runs.

Stokes will be the key for England but they still have some capable lower order batsmen to follow. He punches Shami through the covers for two runs before playing another cracking straight drive back past the bowler for a four.

Bairstow paddle sweeps Ashwin fine on the leg side for two runs to get off the mark. He edges the next ball which goes past Rahane at slip and fetches him another couple of runs before he keeps the strike with a single off the last ball.

Kohli decides to bring Amit Mishra early into the attack after bowling him just 10 overs on the opening day.

Stokes resorts to the sweep shot again, getting a single to square leg before Bairstow plays the inside out drive and sprints across for one.

Ashwin bowling much better than he did in the previous two sessions, he has settled into a good line and looking to build up the pressure with some tight bowling.

Stokes comes down the track to Mishra and drives the second ball down to long-on for a single, while Bairstow defends the rest of the over.

Ashwin bowls one slow, giving it a lot of air as it spins right across Stokes, who lets it go through. He tries a similar delivery but ends up bowling it a bit too short as Stokes punches it through the covers for two runs to the sweeper.

In the next over, the Indians go up for a huge appeal against Bairstow for a catch at short leg but the umpire is not interested. Kohli ponders on the referral but decides against it.

Bairstow then clobbers the next ball, which is well flighted and a lot slower, right back over the bowler's head for a straight six.

A slight error of judgement from Stokes as he plays back to a full delivery and see it turns big to beat the outside edge before he slaps the next ball on the off-side for one.

Bairstow plays a beautiful drive through the covers for a four as Ashwin overpitches and gives the right-hander some width.

Ashwin beats Stokes with one that takes off after hitting one of the cracks and spins enough to beat the left-hander.

Stokes punches Ashwin down the ground for a single to bring up his fifty, from 89 balls.

England 343-5 (100 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

India need to make some change quickly as England threaten to run riot with a flurry of boundaries. Shami from over the wicket bowls one on the pads as Moeen tucks it fine for a four, with the fielder at fine leg placed quite square.

With England scoring 28 runs in five overs against the second new ball, Kohli makes a change as the erratic Yadav makes way for Ravichandran Ashwin.

Stokes defends the first three balls before looking to sweep the fourth but fails to make connection. He then comes down the track and hammers it powerfully past mid-on for a four before blocking the last ball.

It is Shami, who provides India with the breakthrough as he claims the vital wicket of Moeen. The left-hander offers no shot to an incoming delivery only to see it crash into his stumps to end a fantastic innings of 117.

Superb bowling from Shami as he bowled in the right channel and forced Moeen into the error of judgement, as he misread the line completely.

Shami is looking all fired up as he greets new batsman Jonny Bairstow with a fast bouncer, who ducks under it.

England 335-4 (97 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Umesh Yadav to bowl the second over. The third ball is on the pads as Moeen turns it on the leg side for a four, the first of the day. The next ball is short and wide and this time the left-hander crashes it past point for another boundary.

Two balls later, he plays a beautiful cover drive for the third four of the over as Moeen makes his intentions clear early on the second day.

In the next over, Stokes pulls a short ball from Shami powerfully through midwicket for another four as runs flow against the hard new ball.

Shami beats him with the last ball of the over, full and moving away ever so slightly as the left-hander plays away from his body.

England dealing in boundaries as Stokes hammers a full delivery from Yadav through the covers for a four. That literally flew off the bat and the fielder barely had time to react.

Stokes looks in the mood as he attempts to pull Yadav out of the stadium but he fails to make connection.

This has been a bright start for England on Day 2, scoring 24 runs from the first four overs, all bowled by the pacers.

England 314-4 (94 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

India have taken the second new ball straightaway at the start of Day 2. Mohammed Shami will bowl with the new ball giving enough indications that the hamstring cramp, which he suffered on Day 1, was not serious.

Shami starts with a pacy delivery, short and wide outside the off-stump as Moeen opts to leave it.

The next ball is again a bouncer which swings into the left-hander who sways out of the way. India bowled just one bouncer to Moeen on Day 1 but seems that will be their tactic today.

Moeen taps the third ball on the off-side for a quick single to complete his century from 195 balls. This is the left-hander's fourth Test century and the first away from home. A superb knock from the all-rounder, a mature innings as he never let the Indian spinners settle down with his positive footwork to play some aerial shots down the ground.

Ben Stokes punches Shami through the covers for a couple for his first runs of the day.

England 311-4 (93 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Welcome to the coverage of Day 2 of the first Test between India and England in Rajkot, on Thursday.

England made most of winning the toss as they scored 311 for four in 93 overs on the opening day on a flat wicket at the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium.

Joe Root led the way with the bat for the visitors, with a sparkling innings of 124, putting on a superb stand of 179 runs for the fourth wicket with Moeen Ali, who was unbeaten on a fine knock of 99.

India's three-man spin attack struggled to make an impression on a pitch, which didn't offer much to the bowlers on Day 1.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed two for 108, bagged two wickets in the morning session before he went wicketless in the next two sessions, while Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh Yadav picked up a wicket each.

With Mohammed Shami struggling with a hamstring niggle, India didn't take the second new ball late on Day 1 and it remains to be seen if they take it at the start of the second day.

They will be looking to make early inroads and check England's progress, with a view to keeping them under the 400-run mark.