It wasn't the brightest of starts for the second Test match at Lord's as rain interrupted the very first ball to be bowled in the game. However, as the day progressed, the weather improved and the cricketing action continued in full pomp. 

It was a good toss to lose for Skipper Virat Kohli. Put to bat first, openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul batted with great patience and perseverance to see off the new ball. They combined for an opening partnership of 126 runs, India's highest opening stand at Lord's since 1974. 

We take you through some of the talking points in the second Test match. 

DAY ONE 

Rohit Sharma registers an enthralling knock 

Batting in overcast conditions with the ball making a lot of movements, Rohit Sharma was off to a watchful start. However, once he got into the groove, the opener resorted to his natural game and took on the English bowlers. He hit Sam Curran for four boundaries in a single over, then later took Mark Wood to the cleaners. 

He missed out on a deserving century but his quickfire innings helped India gain momentum early in the second Test. 

KL Rahul makes an entry in the honours board 

Unlike Rohit, KL Rahul made a slow start and played second fiddle in a brilliant opening stand. However once Rohit got out, he took the centre stage and was brimming with confidence throughout his stay at the crease. Rahul went on to score his sixth Test ton and also made an entry in the Lord's honours board. 

He combined for another century partnership with Virat Kohli and stayed unbeaten at 127*. 

James Anderson gets amongst the wickets 

The veteran right-arm pacer was a doubtful starter for England in the second Test. Passing a fitness test in the morning, skipper Joe Root laid confidence on him to pick wickets. While he couldn't turn up with the new ball, Anderson got the all-important wicket of Rohit and later Pujara. 

Team India were 276/3 at Stumps on Day One at Lord's with Rahul and Rahane at the crease. Both Indian openers dominated the hosts with the bat and kept their bowling attack under check. They will aim to cross the 400-run mark tomorrow after ending the day in a commanding position. As for England, they will look to get early wickets and restrict India below 400.

DAY TWO

Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja counter-attack

Team India lost KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane early on Day Two. After being watchful initially, both started their counter-attack against the bowlers. Pant departed for 37 while Jadeja hanged on for a while before returning back with a crucial 40.

India lost their last three wickets in a space of two runs.

James Anderson picks a five-wicket haul

The right-arm veteran pacer continued to impress with the ball. After accounting for Rahane's wicket earlier in the day, he cleaned up India's tail by dismissing Ishant and Bumrah in back-to-back overs. James Anderson finished with figures of 5/62.

Double strike for Mohammed Siraj

England openers managed to withstand 14 overs in the second session. However, Mohammed Siraj struck on consecutive deliveries right after Tea. He sent back opener Dom Sibley followed by comeback man Haseeb Hameed for nought.

England started the day in style by getting centurion Rahul in the very first over. They managed to restrict India to 364 all out. As for India, they put England under pressure with two quick wickets but Root and Burns' stand helped them recover. Shami's late strike kept India on track as England finished on 119/3 at Stumps with Root unbeaten on 48*. Catch the live cricketing action between England and India on Day Three at 3:30 PM IST.

DAY THREE

Joe Root plays a scintillating knock

The England captain again led from the front with a magnificent ton at the Home of Cricket. Joe Root's unbeaten knock of 165* allowed his team to overcome the lead. The Indian bowlers toiled hard on the field but couldn't breach his defence at the crease.

Root continued to build partnerships with Bairstow, Buttler, and Moeen to get England in a commanding position.

Ishant storms back to form

Ishant Sharma cleaned up Jos Buttler after he found an inside edge to the top of his off stump. He later got the wickets of Moeen Ali and Sam Curran off consecutive deliveries to bring India back into the contest.

England didn't lose a single wicket before Lunch which gave the home side early momentum on Day Three. They comfortably overcame the trail and also went on to take a 27-run lead. Shami picked the final wicket by getting Anderson bowled in the last ball of the day.

Catch Team India's second innings LIVE at 3:30 PM IST tomorrow.

DAY FOUR

India lose early wickets

KL Rahul was dismissed early on Day Four after Mark Wood had him caught behind. The right-arm pacer also got the better of Rohit Sharma who hit him for a six in the very same over. He sent both openers back with just 27 runs on the board.

Virat Kohli also looked in good nick but ended up poking one delivery which further reduced India to 55/3.

The resistance from Pujara and Rahane

Known for their resistance at the crease, both Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane batted with patience. The duo scored 49 runs from 28 overs in the second session without losing a single wicket. They combined for a 100-run partnership before Pujara was dismissed by Mark Wood for 45.

Rahane registered his 24th half-century before getting out.

Moeen strikes twice

Moeen Ali turned out well on his comeback game. The off-spinner managed to get top scorer Rahane first. He then bowled a fantastic delivery to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja.

Bad light meant that the day had to end a bit early. While India fought hard, the day belonged to England who didn't allow the batsmen to settle. The match is headed for an exciting finish on Day 5.

Tune in to watch another thrilling day of sporting action between England and India at 3:30 PM IST on 16th August 2021.

DAY FIVE 

England pick quick wickets on Day Five 

England had the game in their hand after getting the wickets of Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma. India were reduced to 209/8 with a lead of 182 runs. 

Bumrah-Shami do wonders with the bat 

With two tailenders at the crease, there was a barrage of short deliveries and words being exchanged between England players and both batsmen. What followed was an enthralling partnership of 89* runs for the ninth wicket. 

Mohammed Shami went on to score his second half-century in Test cricket while Jasprit Bumrah also registered his career-best score. They stayed unbeaten when India declared at 298/8, with a lead of 271 runs. 

First over wickets 

After their heroics with the bat, Bumrah and Shami who started off with the new ball picked a wicket each in their first over to reduce England to 1/2. Later, Ishant Sharma also struck in his first over to send back Haseeb Hameed. 

Game-changing moments 

Ishant picked a wicket in the last ball before Tea. Then Bumrah had Root caught at slip in the very first over in the third session. England had been reduced to 67/5. 

Soon enough it was Mohammed Siraj who picked two consecutive wickets to send back Moeen and Curran. However, the pair of Jos Buttler and Ollie Robinson stayed at the crease for a span of 75 balls before Bumrah broke the stand. 

In the very next over, Siraj got the better of both Buttler and Anderson to script a scintillating victory at Lord's. India won by 151 runs in the final hour on Day Five. 

KL Rahul won the Player of the Match award for his ton. Mohammed Siraj finished with figures of 4/32 while Bumrah got 3/33. India now leads the five-match series 1-0 with three matches remaining.