ENGLAND were given a stark reminder of the challenge of touring India by Rohit Sharma’s classy 161 on day one of the second Test.

Opener Rohit displayed some sparkling strokeplay to help the hosts to 300-6 on an absorbing, entertaining and occasionally bizarre day in Chennai.

After a magnificent victory in the first Test, England suffered the disadvantage of losing the toss and are in line to bat last on a dusty pitch already showing sharp turn and some uneven bounce.

Impressive pace bowler Olly Stone had Shubnam Gill lbw with the ninth ball of the day and India were 86-3 when Moeen Ali bowled a stunned Virat Kohli for a duck.

But Rohit was joined by Ajinkya Rahane, who made a solid 67, for a stand of 162 that was ended when Rohit top-edged spinner Jack Leach to deep square leg.

That sparked a fightback that England’s perseverance deserved – the tourists took three wickets for 36 runs in the final session.

However, at some point they will be faced with the task of batting themselves into this match against a trio of India spinners that will be afforded plenty of assistance.

Fortunes fluctuate on thrilling day

England were almost faultless in their 227-run win on the same ground in the first Test, but would have been well aware that things were unlikely to have remained straightforward for the rest of the four-Test series.

With conditions and the toss in India’s favour, the hosts were also buoyed by a crowd officially given as 9 000, the first time the England men’s team have played an international in front of spectators in almost a year.

Those in attendance were treated to a masterclass from Rohit, yet perhaps the most memorable moment came when Kohli was bowled by Moeen’s classical off-break.

Driving loosely out of the rough at his fifth ball, Kohli was beaten through the gate and stood bewildered as England celebrated, only departing after replays confirmed the ball had taken the off-bail.

With England on top, Rohit and Rahane wrested control and, even after they were dismissed, there was still time for Rishabh Pant to attack the England bowling.

Pant overturned being given caught behind off Joe Root on 22 and his continued presence – he is unbeaten on 33 – is a severe danger to England on the second morning. (BBC Sport)

INDIA 1st innings
Rohit Sharma c Moeen Ali b Leach 161
Shubman Gill lbw Olly Stone 0
Cheteshwar Pujara c Stokes b Leach 21
Virat Kohli b Moeen Ali 0
Ajinkya Rahane b Moeen Ali 67
Rishabh Pant not out 33
Ravichandran Ashwin c Ollie Pope b Root 13
Axar Patel not out 5
Extras: 0
Total: (six wkts, 88.0 overs) 300
Fall of wickets: 1-0 2-85, 3-86, 4-248, 5-249, 6-284.
Bowling: Stuart Broad 11-2-37-0, Olly Stone 15-5-42-1, Jack Leach 26-2-78 -2, Ben Stokes 2-0-16-0, Moeen Ali 26-3-112-2, Joe Root 8-2-5-1.