Skipper Virat Kohli and batsman KL Rahul notched consecutive half centuries to guide India to a strong position in the second ODI against England at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Friday. 

Also Read | 2nd ODI: Ben Stokes warned after being caught applying saliva on ball 

Kohli got to the milestone in the 27th over of the innings with a single off spinner Adil Rashid, rocking back in his crease to push a short delivery off to long on to complete his fifty. This was the 62nd ODI fifty of his career. Meanwhile, Rahul also got to his ninth career fifty with a single off Rashid in the 31st over. 

The two forged a 121-run partnership after India got off to a stuttering start. Openers Shikhar Dhawan (4) was dismissed cheaply and Rohit Sharma (25) couldn’t capitalise on a good start with India in trouble at 37 for the loss of two before Kohli and Rahul propelled India to a strong position. 

England’s stand-in skipper Jos Buttler, replacing Eoin Morgan who has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a hand injury, won the toss and put India to bat with the visitors looking to level the three-match series after losing the opening encounter on Tuesday.