Chennai: England lower-order did what India did all through the series as the visitors amassed 477 runs in the fifth and final Test here on Saturday. India, in reply, scored 60 runs without losing a wicket and trail the Alastair Cook-led side by 417 runs.
Although India managed to scalp three wickets in the first session on Day 2, Adil Rashid (60) and Liam Dawson (66 not out) frustrated India after Moeen Ali (146) and Joe Root (88) laid a solid foundation for England’s big total.
England were 321 for 7 when Moeen got out. However, the last three wickets added 156 runs to set up a mammoth total before India.
While the local lad Murali Vijay could not open the innings due to injury, KL Rahul and Parthiv Patel made sure India did not lose any wickets before the close of play on the second day of the Test.
India 60/0 from 20 overs:
KL Rahul and Parthiv Patel have made a solid start to India's reply to England's 477. Rahul is unbeaten on 30 while Parthiv is batting on 28.
England 477 all out from 157.2 overs:
WICKET and ALL OUT! Amit Mishra has finally got a wicket as Jake Ball perishes. England all out for 477.
England 457/9 from 154 overs:
WICKET! Some confusion and poor calling between Stuart Broad and Liam Dawson cost England a wicket. KL Rahul, who was manning the fine-leg boundary, and Parthiv Patel's tag team work has helped India get a wicket.
England 429/8
WICKET! Finally. The 108-run stand between Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid is broken after Rashid nicked one to Parthiv Patel off Umesh Yadav. The England leg-spinner has done a fine job with the bat as England's lower-order frustrates India.
England 321/7 from 104 overs:
WICKET! The plan to bounce out Moeen has worked. Umesh Yadav gets his first wicket. Moeen could not keep the pull shot away from Ravindra Jadeja's reach after a fine knock of 146.
England 300/6 from 96 overs:
WICKET! Ishant strikes. Jos Buttler is trapped before the wickets. No review taken as it looks out plumb.
England 287/5 from 91 overs:
WICKET! Chepauk erupts as local lad R Ashwin strikes in the first over on Day 2. Draws Ben Stokes forwards as he edges it to wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel. Brilliant start for India.
Chennai: Indian bowlers will look to run through the England batting while Moeen Ali and the remaining England batsmen will be eager to power the team to a big total on Day Two of the fifth Test here on Saturday.
Although no team can really claim to have won Day 1, Moeen’s hundred, Joe Root’s 88 and Jonny Bairstow have given England a solid platform from whereon they can score big. India, on the other hand, have done their bit by scalping four England wickets.
While a lot was expected from local boy R Ashwin, it was Ravindra Jadeja who was the star performer for the Virat Kohli-led Indian side. But England batsmen would not be relaxing too much knowing Ashwin’s ability (and record) to come back stronger when gone wicketless for a while in a Test match.
