England were staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat as Ravichandran Ashwin’s century left them chasing a big 482 in the fourth innings of the second Test.
India finished their 2nd innings at 286 on the third day on the base of Ashwin’s 106 on his home ground with 14 fours and a six.
Having been dismissed for 134 in their first innings, the idea of England pulling off a chase 64 runs higher than any other team has ever managed in the same conditions seems fanciful.
England’s spinners picked up some morale-boosting wickets, despite the oppressive match situation, as Moeen Ali and Jack Leach took eight between them.
Even more impressive was Ben Foakes who marked his 28th birthday by showing on the big stage just why he is rated one of the best wicketkeepers in the world.
Kohli (62) was undone by Moeen for the second time in the match, a tight lbw decision high on the knee roll, and the all-rounder struck Kuldeep Yadav in front of middle to claim a fourth.
Rishabh Pant could not see more time in the crease and got out for only 8 runs. Cheteshwar Pujara was very unlucky today. He got run out at just 7 runs by Pope, but the runout is really unlucky to Pujara.
Ravichandran Ashwin continued to pepper the boundaries, swatting the seamers and milking the spinners and had a life of 70 when an inside edge bounced out of Foakes’ glove taking both caught behind and stumped out of the equation. He was last man out for 106 by Stone. Moeen Ali and Leach got 4 wickets each and Stone got the Ashwin’s wicket
England started their innings with a huge target of 482 runs but they soon lost their wickets and the scoreboard reached 53 for 3. Ravichandran Ashwin took one and Axar Patel took two wickets. Captain Root and Lawrence is on the crease at the stumps of the day 3. Root and Lawrence should make a solid partnership to save the match otherwise Indian spinners will show their spinning strength.