England vs India as it happened: Alastair Cook falls at the last after Virat Kohli's brilliant century

England cricket players on Adil Rashid's selection

Virat Kohli's masterclass century defied England and dragged India back into the contest on a gripping second day of the first Specsavers Test at Edgbaston.

Sam Curran (four for 74) made a sterling home bid for the headlines, with three wickets in eight balls during a titanic first hour of the afternoon - and England were well-served too by Ben Stokes and James Anderson.

But Kohli (149) was an unstoppable force - after two dropped chances - as he banished memories of his miserable maiden Test tour to this country four years ago - when he averaged 13.4, with a top-score of 39 - as he compiled his 22nd Test century in an India total of 274 which contained no other innings above 26.

Kohli's one-man show meant a home lead of only 13 after the tourists' last two wickets added 92 - and when Alastair Cook was bowled for the second day in succession by a Ravi Ashwin off-break, for a duck this time, England reached stumps nine for one second time round.

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Key Points

• England all out for 287 before Sam Curran skittles top order
• Virat Kohli leads India fightback with brilliant 149
• Alastair Cook falls on last ball of the day as England lead by 22 runs

[2 August 2018 11:57 · Ben Burrows]

Vijay and Dhawan are settling in after that early flurry.

Broad - as the wonderful people at CricProf suggest - isn't getting anywhere near the movement he's looking for and the batsman are beginning to tuck in.

Vijay uncorks a beautiful cover drive that careers through to the fence off another delivery that again doesn't deviate from its original course.

That really was a beauty, the best of the day.

[2 August 2018 11:58 · Ben Burrows]

Jimmy summing up the feelings of most England fans here.

[2 August 2018 12:02 · Ben Burrows]

Oh boy. This doesn't make pretty reading.

[2 August 2018 12:06 · Ben Burrows]

It's been coming and here it is, the first bowling change of the day.

Sam Curran is into the attack. The Surrey man likes Edgbaston, it's the only ground where he's taken more first-class wickets than his home track at The Oval.

He starts well with a breath of shape away from Vijay before one drifts a little too far into the slot and it's swatted to the ropes.

India going well. 40-0 after 10.

[2 August 2018 12:18 · Ben Burrows]

India's 50 is up off the last ball of Jimmy Anderson's sixth.

They are going well and both Vijay and Dhawan look in good touch. Dhawan, a somewhat controversial selection in place of Pujara, has looked particularly untroubled.

England are doing the right things and, crucially, are pitching it up but nothing doing so far.

Curran now who offers the wrinkle of pushing the ball across the right-hander. He beats Vijay's bat again.

England need one of those to stick.

[2 August 2018 12:26 · Ed Malyon]

Ed Malyon writes:

England have had one of those mornings when you need things to go your way... and they didn't. But Sam Curran just got the bit of luck they needed, Root picking the right moment to review after the Surrey seamer had swung one back into Vijay and clattered him on the pads. Sounded woody at first but it was pad first and that is England's first breakthrough.

[2 August 2018 12:29 · Ben Burrows]

Now then. Did England ever need that?

KL Rahul is the next man as Vijay departs for 20. 

Curran's angle did for Vijay there and he finds another carbon copy first up to the new man.

Rahul just about gets his bat down to it and it squirts all the way to the third man boundary.

[2 August 2018 12:30 · Ben Burrows]

And another!

Curran is on fire. Second ball is full and wide and Rahul chases it only to see the ball ricochet back on to his furniture.

Two in three balls for Curran and England are in the game again.

54-2 and here comes Kohli...

[2 August 2018 12:35 · Ben Burrows]

Right then, the starters are over with. We've all enjoyed them but now it's time for the main course.

Anderson has Kohli in his sights. I don't need to tell you how the Indian captain fared against England's highest-ever wicket-taker four years ago, you all already know, but safe to say Kohli must do better this time around if his side are to prevail.

A few tempters outside off before he finally gets bat on ball in with an oh so rock solid defence.

A maiden.

[2 August 2018 12:36 · Ben Burrows]

While others around him have faltered Dhawan has looked in good touch.

He has 22 and looks set.

For now at least.