Pujara's resurgent ton keeps series alive for India 

Cheteshwar Pujara's monumental 132* kept the series alive for India on Day 2 in Southampton Test. Yet again, Indian batsmen's 'negligent' efforts with the bat resulted in their team's downfall but Pujara stands tall with a masterful hundred to keep India in the game. It all started with Stuart Broad, who opened the floodgates by removing both the openers. KL Rahul once again felt to an in-swinging delivery from Broad for 19 and his tally in this series is 113 runs at 16.14. Later Broad gave Dhawan some time, before getting him for 23.

In between Pujara took 11 balls to get off the mark and at one time he is just on 3 off 30 balls. He even had some moments in the final over before lunch off Moeen Ali but India went to lunch without much fuss at 100 for 2. After lunch, Kohli and Pujara scored at a brisk rate and at one point India were 141-2 and they were set for a massive lead with two set batsmen at the crease. But squandered all the hard-work by losing next six wickets for 53 runs.

After playing some delightful strokes, Virat chased a wide delivery off Sam Curran to be caught by Cook for 46. Then, Ben Stokes who came into action only in the 43rd over troubled Rahane and the Indian vice-captain was even dropped at second slip by Root. After baggage full of out-swingers, Stokes trapped Rahane with an in-swinging delivery.

Moeen Ali, who exploited the rough created by the foot-marks of fast bowlers, especially off Ishant and Curran had got rid-off both Pant and Pandya. Before tea, he trapped Pant LBW for 'nought' and after tea got Pandya for 5. Then, he got Ashwin who went for a rash reverse-sweep and in the next delivery, he was on a hat-trick with a 'jaffa' to deceive Shami.

At 195-8, India were on verge of conceding the series-deciding lead. Did you know, since their loss to West Indies at Oval in 1988, England never lost a home Test after getting a 20 or more runs lead? So, if you go by that stat, the series was going England's way. But Pujara came to India's rescue act. With the help of some delightful strokes, he went onto score his 15th Test century. Even after Ishant's downfall to Mo, which is his fifth, he continued with Bumrah which brought some valuable 27-run lead for India.

He lofted Ali over his head to get to his hundred and then showcased his rally of shots where he smashed Broad over wide mid-on. Broad finally halted Pujara's and India's resurgence by bouncing Bumrah to first slip. With a 27-run deficit, England openers saw-off the cautiously played remaining four overs. After seeing Mo webbing around the Indian batsmen, even a 175-200 target will be a tough task to get. But with England's 'unrelenting' failures with the bat and India's pace quartet looking 'menacing', this Test was well in balance and Day 3 will be the decisive day of the series.

Stats

-Moeen Ali got his fifth five-haul in Tests. In 2014, at the same venue, he had figures of 6 for 67 in India's second innings and match's fourth innings.

-This is Pujara's first hundred in England

-After scoring 153 against SA at Jo'burg in 2013, this is Pujara's second hundred in the SENA (Sotu Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries.