Day 1 of the 2nd Test belonged to Rohit Sharma, however the next two days have been dominated by Ravichandran Ashwin. Firstly he had England's batsman in a spin as he claimed 5-43 to collect back to back 5-fors following his 6-61 in England's 2nd innings of the 1s Test, then hit his 5th Test 100 as India batted England out of the match on Day 3.
Day 2 had begun well for England as they wrapped up India's 1st innings for the addition of just 29 runs, Moeen Ali removed debutant Axar Patel smartly stumped by Ben Foakes and Ishant Sharma in the 2nd over of the day, Rishabh Pant then passed 50 for the 2nd time in the series before Olly Stone removed Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Siraj to close India's innings on 329.
Like India had, England soon found themselves 0-1, Rory Burns trapped leg before by Ishant Sharma, Ashwin opened from the other end and struck his first blow in the 8th over. Dom Sibley attempted a sweep and was taken at leg slip by Kohli. Although it was given not out India were convinced there was glove involved and reviewed with replays showing the ball brushing the top of Sibley's bat. Sibley knew and was half way off before the decision was shown on the big screen. Dan Lawrence was the next man to fall to Ashwin who changed to around the wicket for the last ball before lunch, finding extra bounce the ball hit Lawrence on the glove and went straight to Gill at short leg. Ben Stokes was bowled by a beautiful delivery again from around the wicket that drifted towards the left handers pads before spinning away to hit Stokes off stump as he looked to manoeuvre the ball to midwicket leaving England in all sorts of trouble at 52-5. Ashwin's 4th was a gimme as Olly Stone turned one off his pads but could only chip the ball straight to Rohit at midwicket and Ashwin ended England's 1st innings on 134 when Stuart Broad was bowled attempting his favoured sweep shot, leaving the host 249 runs ahead.
Ashwin joined Virat Kohli at the crease with India 101-6 in their 2nd innings the hosts leading by 355 runs and clearly thought it was time to have some fun with the bat. He swept, drove, cut and slapped England's attack to all corners going to 50 in just 64 balls with 7 fours, although he was given a life on 28 when Stokes dropped him at slip off Broad. Ashwin continued on his merry way even after Kohli departed for 62 dismissed by Moeen Ali for the 2nd time in the match. Kuldeep Yadav and Ishant Sharma followed reasonably quickly but Ashwin found a partner in Mohammad Siraj who was willing to block away at one end to allow him to complete a 5th Test century which came when an attempted hoick over the leg side caught the outside edge and ballooned over the slips down to third man for four. Both men then went on the all out attack with Siraj smashing two sixes over midwicket before Ashwin was bowled by Olly Stone leaving England needing 482 for a highly unlikely win.
It was the third time Ashwin had completed the double of century and a five wicket haul in a Test, only Sir Ian Botham who managed this on 5 occasions is ahead of Ashwin on that front.
Ashwin was not done for the day and produced a beauty to have Rory Burns caught ag gully for 25 and England ended Day 3 at 53-3 needing another 429 and it is only a matter of how many India will win by. If Ashwin can take another 4 wickets in the 2nd innings he will become only the 4th man to score a century and take 10 wickets in a Test.
There have been few bright spots for England so far in this match on what can only be described as a spicy wicket, however Ben Foakes has been superb with the gloves, equalling an England record of 3 stumpings in a Test as well as making a determined 42 not out in England's first innings and the debate over who should be England's Test wicket keeper is in full flow.
15 Feb 2021
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