Chennai: Ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (5/45) on Sunday picked his 29th five-wicket Test haul to help India strengthen their position in the ongoing second match against England here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
After bowling out England for just 134, India reached 54/1 in their second innings at stumps on Day Two, thus swelling their lead to 249 runs. Rohit Sharma, who had scored a brilliant 161 in India’s first innings, was unbeaten at the crease on 25 and was accompanied by Cheteshwar Pujara who was batting on 7.
Shubman Gill was the lone wicket to fall in India’s second innings as he was out lbw against spinner Jack Leach after scoring 14 runs. Earlier in the day, India resumed the day with an overnight score of 300/6. While Rishabh Pant remained not out on a brave 58 off 77 balls, the tailenders failed to put any sort of resilience as the hosts were all out for 329.
in reply, Ishant Sharma trapped opener Burns LBW on the third ball of the innings with Ashwin sending two batters to the pavilion before lunch. Axar Patel, on his debut, made it a day to remember picking up the maiden wicket in the form of English skipper Joe Root.
With the visitors struggling at 52/5, Ollie Pope and Ben Foaks stitched together a 35-run stand, their highest of the innings. But Pant’s flying catch to dismiss Pope of Md. Siraj’s bowling was the highlight of the day and broke the spirit of the English side.
Ashwin dismissed Stuart Broad to complete his 29th five-wicket hall helping India to wrap up the visitors’ innings on 135 taking a second-innings lead of 195 runs. With wickets in hand, India will look to build the momentum on day 3 hoping to settle the scores.
Brief Scores: India 329 all out (Rohit Sharma 161, Moeen Ali 4/128) & 54/1 vs England 135 all out (Ben Foakes 42; Ravichandran Ashwin 5/45). Match to continue.
