England were in deep trouble after being reduced to 103 for five in their reply to India’s 455 all out in the first innings at the end of second day’s play of the second cricket Test.

Resuming the day at 317/4, India were bowled out for 455 an hour into the second session of play at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.

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In reply, England lost five wickets for just 103 runs and are 352 runs short of India’s first innings score.

Joe Root (53) offered some resistance but Indian bowling attack, spearheaded by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (2-20), had the visitors on the mat.

With all eyes on the controversial Decision Review System (DRS) during the upcoming Test rubber against England, Indian vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane on Monday said the team’s primary focus is to play aggressive cricket rather than banking on the technology.

“It’s a completely new concept. We have to wait and see about DRS. We have been discussing about this from the last series against New Zealand and we have some plans,” Rahane told reporters ahead of the opening game starting on Wednesday.

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“But the main focus is to play good, attacking cricket and DRS will come later on. We want to dominate the series. We have been playing some very good cricket over the last one and a half years.”

Rahane further emphasised on the importance of maintaining consistency and continue with the momentum.

“It’s important for us to be consistent. Yes our aim will be to dominate all their bowlers and the more we do it the better. It’s (also) important to start well in Rajkot and continue the momentum,” he said.

“We are looking to play some good cricket. Right now we are focussed on building our strength and playing to our strengths,” he added.

After citing lack of accuracy and objecting to its usage in the past many years, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finally agreed to use the DRS on a trial basis for the upcoming five-match series against the English team.

The 28-year-old also focussed on the importance of staying fresh in a long five-match series, which he felt also gave an opportunity to bounce back once a team finds itself on the backfoot.

“In a five-match series it’s important to be fresh till the last Test. We played a five match series in England in 2014 and got an idea about how to approach. That was a great learning experience as a young unit.”

“It was important to remain fresh till the fifth match. You get an opportunity to come back while playing a five-match series,” he explained.

Rahane also warned his side against any sort of complacency while facing the new-look England attack, specially against the slower bowlers.

“Playing against England will be a challenge. They have a decent side; their bating line-up is pretty experienced. Their batsmen have been here. Yes their spinners are new. Their bowling attack is comparatively inexperienced, especially the spinners,” he said.

“But I always believe you have to give respect to all opponents whether their bowling attack is new or experienced. For us it’s important to focus on our strengths and we will be playing to our strengths and potential. I am sure it will be a good series,” he added.

IANS

England skipper Alastair Cook on Wednesday confirmed that fast bowler James Anderson is likely to miss the opening Test match against India in Rajkot. The pacer had already been ruled out of the ongoing Bangladesh tour due to a stress fracture in his left shoulder.

He sustained the injury during play against Sri Lanka this summer, and missed the first Test against Pakistan in July.

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“He won’t be ready for the first Test match. He might be ready to do some training, but he won’t be ready for the first Test. A decision will be made on when he comes out over the next week or so,” Cook was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo here on Wednesday.

“I spoke to him last night and he is training well and in good shape physically.”

“But he hasn’t yet bowled and that has been the problem in the past. However physically well he’s been in the rest of his body, it’s when he starts bowling (that the problem occurs),” he added.

Another fast bowler Mark Wood is also likely to miss the India series with an ankle injury.

IANS