Birmingham, July 1 (Agency) Making his return to England side, James Anderson bagged two wickets to leave India 53 for 2 at lunch on Day 1 of the delayed fifth Test at Edgbaston on Friday.Hanuma Vihari and former India captain Virat Kohli were batting on 14 and 1 when rain forced umpires to call for an early lunch. Anderson walked back having taken 2 for 15 in 8 overs.Having missed the last Test against New Zealand due to an ankle injury, England’s champion wicket-taker found his rhythm early on after Ben Stokes sent India in to bat first on an overcast morning.
Using the prevalent conditions to his advantage, Anderson sent in a rare short and wide ball, forcing Shubnam Gill to fend to Zak Crawley at second slip, after he had smacked 16 runs off his 17 in boundaries. Anderson then removed his bunny Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s other opener, for 13, after Crawley had dropped a more tough chance off Mathew Potts. giving relief to Hanuma Vihari on six.
The Test was rescheduled just hours before the Manchester Test last September because of coronavirus concerns within the India camp.England retained only four players – Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow and Anderson – that lost to India at the Oval last year, leaving them behind India 1-2 in the five-match series.India are without the services of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. While Rohit was ruled out after testing Covid positive, Rahul with a groin injury.India are eyeing a first series win in England since 2007 and just their fourth in all after successes in 1971 and 1986.Brief Scores: India first innings 53/2 (Shubnam Gill 17, Cheshar Pujara 13, Jimmy Anderson 2/15) vs England.