Ajinkya Rahane hits 23rd Test fifty, India motor on vs England

Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane bounced back from a disappointing first Test against England with an assured half-century on the opening day of the second Test at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday. 

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Rahane brought up his fifty, the 23rd of his glittering Test career, in 104 deliveries. His half-century included eight boundaries. 

The 32-year-old will now be eyeing his 13th Test ton, the last of which came in the incredible three-wicket win over Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. 

Rahane has amassed 4,472 run in 119 Test innings at an average of 41.79. 

Rahane’s fifty, along with opener Rohit Sharma’s seventh Test century, have steered India into a strong position after a nervous start. 

India lost young opener Shubman Gill for a duck in just the second over to paceman Olly Stone with Jack Leach dismissng Cheteshwar Pujara soon after. 

Spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali, who returned to the squad in place of Dom Bess, pushed India on the back foot as he clean bowled skipper Virat Kohli for a duck. 

However, Sharma and Rahane steadied the innings, having added more than 140 runs for the fourth wicket so far.