India's wagging tail furthers the advantage in Hyderabad
India assumed complete control of the first Test against England on day two as KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja helped the hosts into a huge lead of 175 in Hyderabad.
Rahul (86) was dropped by wicketkeeper Ben Foakes on nought in the first over of the day before scoring his 14th Test fifty as India replied to England's 246 all out by reaching 421-7 in their first innings.
Jadeja (81no) notched a 20th fifty, starting his innings quickly before batting with more restraint late in the day, with Axar Patel (35no) the aggressor at the death as he smoked Tom Hartley's final over for 15, striking two fours and a six across the last three balls.
Each of India's top five batters were dismissed eyeing up boundaries rather than through magic deliveries as England's spinners struggled to offer the same threat and control as Indian trio Jadeja, Axar and Ravichandran Ashwin on day one, with the gulf in class evident.
Premier spinner Jack Leach (1-54) only bowled 16 overs on the day as he battles a knee issue, while debutant Hartley's figures read 2-131 from 25 overs and Rehan Ahmed, playing just his second Test, has gone for 105 runs from his 23, with off-spinner Joe Root (2-77) the pick of England's slow bowlers.
With the pitch offering turn and variable bounce, India's lead a big one and their spinners high class, the home side are strong favourites to move 1-0 up in the five-match contest as they begin their bid for a 17th successive Test series win on home soil.
Sky Sports