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Rahul and Jadeja put India in box seat against England – ARN News Centre
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Fluent half-centuries by KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja earned India a sizeable first-innings lead of 175 and control of the opening test against England on Friday.
India, who have not lost a home test series since 2012, finished day two on a commanding 421-7 in their robust reply to England’s modest first innings of 246.
Jadeja was on 81 at stumps having added 63 runs with Axar Patel who was on 35.
After India resumed day two on 119-1, England opened with part-time spinner Joe Root who dismissed the dangerous-looking Yashasvi Jaiswal (80) in his first over.
Jaiswal hit Root’s second ball for a four but, two balls later, offered a high return catch to Root, who leapt to pouch the ball.
Rahul got a reprieve when Ben Foakes grassed a tough chance behind the stumps after the batter, yet to open his account, had edged Root.
Root was unlucky again when Shubman Gill miscued a shot but Ben Stokes, stationed at mid-off, lost sight of the ball against the sun.
Root was taken out of the attack after four overs in a move as surprising as the decision to not bowl him on Thursday when Jaiswal was toying with the England spinners.
Tom Hartley had particularly suffered at the hands of Jaiswal but the left-arm spinner put that pain behind him and dismissed Gill (23) for his first wicket in international cricket.
Rahul smacked two sixes in a Rehan Ahmed over to put India ahead and forged half-century partnerships with Shreyas Iyer (35) and Jadeja to consolidate India’s position.
Leg-spinner Ahmed removed Iyer with Hartley taking the catch in the deep.
The roles were reversed as the English duo combined again to dismiss Rahul, who threw his bat in disgust after pulling a Hartley half-tracker to Ahmed when a hundred seemed there for the taking.
Jadeja, who added 68 runs with Srikar Bharat (41) for the sixth wicket, celebrated his half-century by twirling the bat in his signature sword-dance style.
The all-rounder was twice adjudged out – first caught at short leg off Jack Leach and then lbw to Root – but both decisions were overturned on review.
Jadeja was also involved in an almighty mix-up that led to Ravichandran Ashwin’s run-out after both batters ended up at the same end.
England bowling coach Jeetan Patel was happy with the way their spinners bowled on a “tough day”.
“Just because it’s spinning doesn’t mean it makes the game easier. In fact, sometimes it becomes harder because there’s so much expectation,” he said.
“Our guys learned from this yesterday and they bowled better today…they’ll keep getting better throughout the series.”
Leach was used in short spells after the left-arm spinner bumped his knee twice in two days, Patel added.
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Indian chess star Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu produced a brilliant final-round victory to win Norway Chess 2026, capping a dramatic finish to one of the year’s most prestigious tournaments.
Entering the final day half a point behind leader Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa knew only a win would give him a realistic chance of claiming the title. The 19-year-old delivered under pressure, defeating Vincent Keymer with the white pieces to secure the full three points and surge to first place.
The victory lifted Praggnanandhaa to 18 points, enough to overtake Wesley So and clinch the Norway Chess crown in Oslo.
So, who had led the standings heading into the final round, drew his classical game against Alireza Firouzja before winning the Armageddon tiebreak. However, the extra points were not enough to keep him ahead of the charging Indian grandmaster.
Firouzja completed a strong campaign to finish third overall.
Elsewhere, world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen signed off in style with a classical victory over reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, delighting home fans with a final-round win.
Final Standings
- Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu – 18 points
- Wesley So – 17 points
- Alireza Firouzja – 15.5 points
Assaubayeva dominates women’s event
In the Norway Chess Women’s tournament, Bibisara Assaubayeva completed a dominant campaign to secure the title after having already wrapped up first place with a round to spare.
The final day featured three decisive classical games, eliminating the need for Armageddon tiebreaks.
Women’s world champion Ju Wenjun handed Assaubayeva her first classical defeat of the tournament, while Zhu Jiner defeated Humpy Koneru to secure second place overall. Anna Muzychuk also ended her campaign on a high note with a victory over Divya Deshmukh to finish third.
Norway Chess women’s final standings
- Bibisara Assaubayeva – 16.5 points
- Zhu Jiner – 16 points
- Anna Muzychuk – 15 points
Praggnanandhaa’s triumph marks another major milestone in the young Indian grandmaster’s rapidly rising career and further strengthens India’s growing influence at the highest level of world chess.
The battle for the Norway Chess 2026 title is set for a thrilling finish after a dramatic Round 9 left three players firmly in contention heading into the final day in Oslo.
Tournament leader Wesley So maintained his narrow advantage after drawing his classical game against Magnus Carlsen before winning the Armageddon tiebreak to secure valuable extra points.
The standout result of the day came from Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, who defeated reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju with the black pieces. The victory earned Praggnanandhaa three points and moved him to within half a point of the tournament lead.
Meanwhile, Alireza Firouzja kept his championship hopes alive by overcoming Vincent Keymer in Armageddon after their classical game ended in a draw.
With one round remaining, Wesley So leads the standings on 15.5 points, followed by Praggnanandhaa on 15 points and Firouzja on 14.5 points, setting up a nail-biting conclusion to the tournament.
Assaubayeva seals women’s title
In the women’s competition, Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the Norway Chess Women 2026 title with a round to spare.
Assaubayeva drew her classical game against Anna Muzychuk, who later claimed the Armageddon win. However, the result was enough to guarantee Assaubayeva an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.
The only decisive classical result in the women’s event came from Zhu Jiner, who defeated Divya Deshmukh to move into second place.
Elsewhere, Humpy Koneru and Ju Wenjun drew their classical encounter before Ju Wenjun claimed the Armageddon victory.
After Round 9, Assaubayeva tops the women’s standings with 16.5 points, ahead of Zhu Jiner on 13 points and Anna Muzychuk on 12 points.
Praggnanandhaa wins Norway Chess 2026 title after stunning comeback
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