Kohli, Cheteshwar lead India recovery against England

England's record Test wicket taker James Anderson celebrated his return from a shoulder injury on Thursday with three wickets on the first day of the second Test against India. But the day belonged to the home batsmen. 

Cheteshwar Pujara led India's fightback with his sckipper Virat Kohli. Reuters/Danish Siddiqui

India closed on 317 for 4 thanks to centuries from skipper Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.

Their third wicket stand of 226 salvaged an atrocious start to the Indian innings after Kohli won the toss and elected to bat.

Lokesh Rahul was out for 0 in the second over after facing only five balls. Murali Vijay confidently thrashed four boundaries in his 20 before he edged Anderson's delivery to the slips.

But if England felt buoyant with their hosts on 22 for 2, that optimism waned and was ultimately pulverised as the Kohli and Pujara pyrotechnic show thrilled the partisans in Visakhapatnam.

Pujara, who scored 124 in the first innings of the first Test in Rajkot, hit 12 fours and two sixes in his 119 before being caught behind off Anderson. Kohli was just as dazzling on his way to his 14th Test century.

"I just wanted to continue that form and, once both of us were set, we just wanted to capitalise on the situation," Pujara said after the day's play.

Kohli finished the day unbeaten on 151 with Ravichandran Ashwin on one .

Anderson, who has taken 466 Test wickets, returned figures of 3-44.

"I've spent the last two months working really hard trying to get back into this side," said Anderson. "It has been frustrating at times but it has been worth it and worth all the hard work that I've put in. Getting back out there with the lads is a great feeling and to get on the board with a couple of wickets was even better."