IND on top after Ashwin spins out ENG for 134

Monday, 15 February 2021 01:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ravichandran Ashwin helped skittle ENG for 134 - BCCI

CHENNAI (AFP): India (IND) built up a commanding lead of 249 after spinner Ravichandran Ashwin helped skittle out England (ENG) 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*.

Sharma, 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.

Jack Leach trapped Shubman Gill LBW for 14 with his left-arm spin and the opener walked back after an unsuccessful TV review.

Ashwin claimed five wickets to end ENG’s first innings while responding to IND’s 329 on a turning pitch. 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 and debutant Axar Patel and fast-bowler Ishant Sharma took two wickets each.

Foakes made an unbeaten on 42* off 107 balls.

ENG had crashed to 39/4 in a dramatic morning session that saw the fall of eight wickets, including skipper and man-in-form Joe Root for six.

Earlier, Rishabh Pant hit an unbeaten 58* before IND’s innings ended in the first hour of play. They had resumed on 300-6.

Ali claimed four wickets, including two in his first over of the day. Fast-bowler Olly Stone took three.