Riding on another exceptional bowling performance Ashwin Ravichandran, India built up a commanding lead of 249 after the star spinner helped skittle out England for 134 on day two of the second Test on Sunday.
The hosts reached 54/1 at stumps in Chennai with Rohit Sharma on 25 and Cheteshwar Pujara on seven. Rohit, who hit 161 in India’s first innings, survived a stumping chance on 20 when wicketkeeper Ben Foakes failed to gather the ball to his left off Moeen Ali.
India vs England – Second Test, Day Two: As it happened
Jack Leach trapped Shubman Gill leg before for 14 with his left-arm spin and the opener walked back after an unsuccessful TV review.
Ashwin claimed five wickets to end England’s first innings while responding to India’s 329 on a pitch that offered assistance to Indian spinners as expected. The tourists conceded a lead of 195.
It was the veteran off-spinner’s second successive five-wicket haul and his 29th in 76 Tests. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel and fast bowler Ishant Sharma took two wickets each.
Foakes made an unbeaten on 42 off 107 balls.
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Earlier in the day, Ashwin claimed four wickets in the first two sessions as England slumped to 106/8 at tea.
Ashwin took Olly Stone for one and the umpires called for a break in Chennai with England still 223 runs behind India’s first innings 329. Wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes was on 23 off 80 balls.
England lost half their side for 52 when Ashwin bowled Ben Stokes for 18.
Foakes, taking the place of Jos Buttler who returned home after the opening win, put on 35 with Ollie Pope. The pair batted for over 50 minutes before pacer Mohammed Siraj struck with his first ball of the Test, removing Pope for 22. Axar Patel then sent back Moeen Ali for six.
England had crashed to 39/4 in a dramatic morning session that saw the fall of eight wickets, including skipper Joe Root for six.
Pace bowler Ishant Sharma trapped Rory Burns leg before with the third ball of the innings.
But it was left-arm spinner Axar Patel claiming Root for his maiden Test wicket that raised the roof in the stadium where fans were allowed for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic erupted.
Coming into his 101st Test with scores of 228, 186 and 218 in his previous three matches, Root mistimed a sweep and was caught at short fine leg.
Earlier, Pant hit an unbeaten 58 before India’s innings ended in the first hour of play. They had resumed on 300/6.
Moeen Ali claimed four wickets, including two in his first over of the day. Fast bowler Stone took three.
With AFP inputs
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