India rode on the back of skipper Virat Kohli’s third double century of the year to take command of the fourth Test against England in Mumbai on Sunday. India posted a formidable 631 in their first innings to take a 231-run lead over England.
The day started with Kohli continuing from where he had left the previous day and he added another 88 runs to finish with 235 runs, including 25 boundaries and a six. He was well supported by number nine batsman, Jayant Yadav (104), who scored his maiden Test century during the duo’s 241-run partnership for the eighth-wicket.
In their second innings, England got off on the back-foot after losing their first two wickets with only 43 runs on the scoreboard. Debutant Keaton Jennings, who had scored a century in the first innings, fell for a duck while skipper Alistair Cook was caught leg before by Ravindra Jadeja for 18. Jadeja later took Moeen Ali’s wicket too and sent him back into the pavillion for zero.
Middle-order batsman Joe Root’s 77 steadied England’s chase and lower-order batsmen Jonny Bairstow (50 not out) and Ben Stokes (18) kept England in the fight. But soon R Ashwin gave India the upper hand. The off-spinner sent Stokes packing with two overs left in the day. And later struck in final over of the day to scalp the wicket of Jake Ball. The visitors ended the day on 182 for six, trailing India by 49 runs with four wickets to spare and a day to go.
Brief scores
England 400 & 182 for six (Joe Root 77, Jonny Bairstow 50 not out; Ravindra Jadeja 2/58, R Ashwin 2/49) trail India 631 (Murali Vijay 136, Virat Kohli 235, Jayant Yadav 104; Adil Rashid 4/192) by 49 runs.
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