India struck thrice to keep England in check in the morning session of day two of the fifth and final Test in Chennai on Saturday.

Resuming on 284 for four, England hoped to build on with centurion Moeen Ali at the crease with Ben Stokes for company. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin though put the spanner the works. He scalped a wicket in the first over of the day to remove Stokes for six.

Pacer Ishant Sharma trapped Jos Butler in front of the stumps with England on 300 for six. Ali though remained strong at the other, taking on the spinners from time to time.

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With the score on 321 for seven, Ali perished for 146 trying to fend off a short ball from Umesh Yadav just outside off. Ali top-edged it only for the waiting hands of Ravindra Jadeja to pouch it safely.

The tail wagged for England to head in for the Lunch break with three wickets still in hand. England will resume on 352 for seven with Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson at the crease.

Brief scores:

England 352 for 7 (Moeen Ali 146; Ishant Sharma 2/34, Umesh Yadav 1/55, R Ashwin 1/109) vs India.