India vs England: KL Rahul puts hosts in control but misses out on deserving hundred

KL Rahul's masterful innings of 86 runs was the cornerstone of India's commanding stance on the second day of the first Test against England. His performance came amidst a notable improvement by the English spinners, yet Rahul's exceptional timing and confidence, freshly reinforced by his century in South Africa in Centurion a month ago, shone through.

The setting at the RGI Stadium presented its own set of challenges, differing significantly from those at SuperSport Park, yet equally demanding. England's spinners found their groove, posing a heightened challenge for the Indian batsmen. However, Rahul's technique and strategic play, balancing caution with assertiveness, enabled him to navigate the opposition's bowling with a notable strike rate of 70.

Rahul's innings seemed poised to culminate in a century, a fitting reward for his commendable performance. Yet, a moment of ambition saw him fall short, as he attempted to clear the boundary off a delivery from England's debutant Tom Hartley. The shot led to his dismissal for 86, a moment of visible frustration for Rahul, who had otherwise dominated the day's play.

Despite this setback, India remained in a dominant position, surpassing England's first-innings total with ease. With Ravindra Jadeja also making promising strides at the crease at the time of writing, India's prospects for securing a substantial first-innings lead looked optimistic.

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