India vs England Highlights 2nd Test Day 1: Rahul ton, Rohit fifty take India to 276/3 at stumps

And we couldn't agree more. How many plays and misses did we see in the first half hour? From that to get to 46 without losing any wicket and leaving the ball so well, is appreciative. With each of those six boundaries, Rohit has grown in confidence. Rahul on the other hand is yet to hit a four.

Well, the rain did not exactly ease out, which means the officials had no other option left than take early lunch. So that would be the end of the first session, and India would be pleased with their effort to reach 46/0 in 18.4 overs.

No early lunch yet. So perhaps the belief is that the rain will subside and we will get some play before the first session officially ends. The funny thing is that rain wasn't even on forecast for today and yet it somehow manages to follow the Indian team wherever it goes. Jokes aside, it shouldn't be a long delay.

The dreaded rain returns at Lord's, forcing the play to stop. India 46/0 as the players walk off as the drizzle gets intense. India would not be pleased with this as they were just beginning to hit the strides after a quiet start. But that's how it's been so far in this series.

Fifth boundary for Rohit Sharma. Once again, Curran loses his line sends down a juicy half-volley on Rohit's legs, and the batsman simply tickles it away fine off the fielder at fine-leg. From 13 off 50 balls, Rohit has raced to 35 off 62.

4, 4, 0, 4, 4, 0: 16 runs off the over for India. Rohit gets some brilliant timing going as he pierces the ball through the off side. Nothing more than a little punch with some solid piece of timing as the ball races for a four. The next ball was swinging onto his pads and Rohit flicked it wide of square leg. Four boundaries in the over makes it a good one for India. 38/0 after 15

Full and wide from Curran. Rohit brings the bat down and guides the ball through point for a four. Next up, Curran pulls up his length and goes a little straight. The ball takes the edge of Rohit's bat and flies wide of slips for another four, this time courtesy with a nick.

A few runs coming now. A boundary followed by three runs as Rahul drives Anderson down the ground. 13 overs have been bowled and both batsman have played over 30 balls. We should expect some more runs as play progresses.

The first boundary for India and of this innings, comes in the 13th over. An inswinger from Curran on to Rohit's pads and the batsman turns his wrists nicely and flicks it for a four. India 18/0 after 13 overs.

A quick second spell from Anderson, who now is bowling from the Pavilion end. Second ball raps Rohit on the pads and there is a huge appeal. No bat involved and the umpire doesn't move. Just a tad too high you'd assume? Yes, replay shows the ball would have gone over the stumps. Beats Rohit him next ball again as it zips through after pitching.

Just four overs for Anderson as he is replaced by left-arm quick Sam Curran. A lot fuller from him but Curran starts off with a maiden.

The engaging battle between the England pacers and the Indian openers continues. Robinson draws the outside edge off KL Rahul's bat, but the ball fell short of Dom Sibley at first slip.

India openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul being tested with some impeccable spell of fast bowling from both Robinson and Anderson. Anderson in particular has been tough to get away, with the experienced campaigner mixing the inswingers and outswings really well to keep Rohit on his toes. India 8/0 after 7 overs.

James Anderson and Ollie Robinson are on the mark. They're making the most of this new ball, testing conditions and the tinge of green on the deck. Plenty of movement off the pitch. Anderson and England appeal for an LBW against Rahul but the impact was outside off.

Suddenly, we can spot a bit of sun in the middle of all the overcast conditions. That's the English weather for you. Anderson bowls a tight, first over as Rohit Sharma gets himself and India off the mark with a single down to fine leg. India 1/0 after 1 over.

Another 15-minute delay but things are finally underway at Lord's as the skies clear and players out on the field.

Once again, India find no place for R Ashwin. Thakur getting injured could have paved the way for the off-spinner's inclusion in the Playing XI but Virat Kohli feels Ishant Sharma - a like-for-like replacement is a better choice. What do you think? Should Ashwin have been given a chance at Lord's?

Hang on! We'll have to wait for the first ball to be bowled because our favourite unwelcomed guest has returned. Yes, just when the England players had taken their fielding positions, Anderson was about to run in and KL Rahul was to take guard, it started to drizzle which steadied. And the covers are back on. It's still a very light drizzle.

1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (C), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Rishabh Pant (WK), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Mohammed Shami, 9 Ishant Sharma, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed Siraj

Here's what captain Kohli said at the toss about leaving out Ashwin: "Ishant replaces Shardul, that's the only change. We announced 12 within the group and Ashwin definitely was part of that. But this makes the most sense for us as a team. Everyone wants to contribute, it's about getting into the game as a batsman. We just need to get the job done, whoever it is, that's our main focus."

IN: Haseeb Hameed, Moeen Ali, Mark Wood

OUT: Zak Crawley, Dan Lawrence, Stuart Broad

As expected, it's a like-for-like replacement as Ishant Sharma is included in the XI ahead of the injured Shardul Thakur. Fond memories here for Ishant, who grabbed 7/74 against in a match-winning effort at Lord's seven years ago in 2014.

Once again! tough luck, Virat Kohli. It's England captain Joe Root, who has won the toss. And under these overcast conditions, he opts to bowl.

"It looks a pretty good pitch. When you to come to Lord's it looks dry which it does. There is an equal amount of covering of grass. This might not create divots. If you have a spinner in your team, he might come into play. If there are four fast bowlers, they can be good enough. I don't think a specialist spinner is needed on this wicket. Win the toss and bat first."

As expected, the good news is that the drizzle has stopped at Lord's and the groundsmen are working to get those covers off as quickly as possible. Right then, the toss is going to take place in roughly 10 minutes' time, which is 3:20 PM India time. first ball to be bowled at 3:45 PM.