Highlights, India vs England, 2nd Test at Chennai, Day 3, Full Cricket Score: Axar, Ashwin restrict visitors to 53/3 at stumps

After 19 overs,England 53/3 ( Dan Lawrence 19 , Joe Root (C) 2)

Axar continues. Massive appeal for LBW against Root off the first delivery and third deliveries, with India opting to review off the first. The third umpire turned down the first appeal, and the Indian skipper was furious and straight away had a word with the umpire. The umpire’s call on impact saved Root there. Just one off the over. And that’ll be stumps on Day 3.

After 18 overs,England 52/3 ( Dan Lawrence 19 , Joe Root (C) 1)

The England skipper joins Lawrence at the crease. Huge appeal for a catch at leg slip, Lawrence was the batsman in danger but the umpire wasn’t interested. Two runs off the over.

After 17 overs,England 50/3 ( Dan Lawrence 18 , Joe Root (C) 0)

Axar picks up his second wicket as he removes Leach, the nightwatchman, which forces Root to make his way out in the middle. One run and a wicket in the over.

After 16 overs,England 49/2 ( Dan Lawrence 17 , Jack Leach 0)

Ashwin returns and he gets the breakthrough for his captain. The final delivery was nicely tossed up dipped on Burns, who edged it straight to Kohli at second slip. One run and a wicket in the over.

After 15 overs,England 48/1 ( Rory Burns 25 , Dan Lawrence 16)

Axar continues and he goes round the wicket to Burns. The right-hander gets off strike with a tap towards the leg side off the first. After three dots, Burns nudges the ball towards mid-wicket for another single in the over.

After 14 overs,England 46/1 ( Rory Burns 24 , Dan Lawrence 15)

Ashwin keeping things tight in his sixth over barring the fifth delivery, which was pummelled for a maximum by Lawrence. The right-hander’s making good use of the feet to counter the turn.

After 13 overs,England 40/1 ( Rory Burns 24 , Dan Lawrence 9)

Axar continues. Burns sweeps the third delivery and collects a single while Lawrence inside edges the final delivery but still sneaks a single. Two runs off the over. England need 442 runs.

After 12 overs,England 38/1 ( Rory Burns 23 , Dan Lawrence 8)

Five runs off Ashwin’s fifth over, including a four that came through byes. Ashwin hasn’t been on the mark from the start in this innings.

After 11 overs,England 33/1 ( Rory Burns 22 , Dan Lawrence 8)

After Ashwin, Axar concedes two boundaries in the over. But Lawrence made good use off the feet in Axar’s over. Eight runs off the over.

After 10 overs,England 25/1 ( Rory Burns 22 , Dan Lawrence 0)

Just a lapse in concentration from Ashwin as he concedes two boundaries from the blade of Burns, who’s looking very confident about his strokeplay. Eight runs off the over.

After 9 overs,England 17/1 ( Rory Burns 14 , Dan Lawrence 0)

Two slips and a silly point in place for Axar as he bowls to Sibley in his fourth over. And he gets the first breakthrough for India by trapping Sibley LBW off the second. Wicket maiden for Axar, superb over.

After 8 overs, England 17/0 ( Rory Burns 14 , Dom Sibley 3)

Maiden over for Ashwin. The fifth delivery nearly took Burns’ outside edge. Second maiden on the trot for India.

After 7 overs,England 17/0 ( Rory Burns 14 , Dom Sibley 3)

Maiden over for Axar as Sibley chooses to see off the six deliveries. England, cautious, and rightly so, this pitch is a spinner’s paradise.

After 6 overs,England 17/0 ( Rory Burns 14 , Dom Sibley 3)

Ashwin continues. Starts off with two dots against Sibley, who inside edges the third between leg gully and short leg. Burns collects a boundary in the over as he steps down the track and drives the ball past bowler. Eight runs off the over.

After 5 overs,England 9/0 ( Rory Burns 7 , Dom Sibley 2)

Spin from both ends as Axar returns. Right on the money with his lengths in his second over as he gives no room to Burns to free his arms. Maiden over.

After 4 overs,India 12/0 ( Rohit Sharma 8 , Shubman Gill 4)

Bowling change as Ashwin, the man of the moment, comes into the attack. Slip, leg gully and a short leg for the offie. Sibley nudges the second delivery towards the leg side and collects a brace while remaining watchful off the remaining deliveries. Just two runs off the over.

After 3 overs,India 10/0 ( Rohit Sharma 8 , Shubman Gill 2)

Ishant steams in from the Pattabhiraman End. A sharp inswing delivery off the fifth, Burns does well to leave that one. Maiden over for Ishant, second maiden for India on the trot.

After 2 overs,England 6/0 ( Rory Burns 6 , Dom Sibley 0)

Axar comes into the attack. A couple of deliveries straighten while others turn. The left-arm spinner keeps Sibley guessing. Maiden over.

After 1 overs,England 6/0 ( Rory Burns 6 , Dom Sibley 0)

Ishant with the first over for India. Burns displays positive intent off the very first delivery as he flicks it off his pads for a boundary. The left-hander collects a brace off the next by driving the ball through the covers. Six off the first over.

IND 286 after 85.5 overs

Right, Ashwin departs after a slamming a brilliant ton. India have been bundled out for 286. The visitors need 482 runs to win. India will have the chance to bowl a few overs and get early breakthroughs. See you after a short break when England openers take guard.

After 85 overs,India 284/9 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 104 , Mohammed Siraj 16)

Leach continues. Runs continue to flow for the Indians, who collect eight in the over, including a six from the blade of Siraj. The Hyderabad lad nailed the slog sweep off the fifth. The hosts lead by 479 runs at the end of the over.

After 84 overs,India 276/9 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 103 , Mohammed Siraj 9)

Stone returns to the attack. Ashwin clearing his front leg twice in that over and looking to whack it towards mid-on, but the ball going straight to the fielder on both occasions. Maiden over from Stone.

After 83 overs,India 276/9 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 103 , Mohammed Siraj 9)

Eight runs off Leach’s over, including a six that came off Siraj’s blade. India lead by 471 runs. The hosts in a commanding position here.

**What a performance from the local lad!  **  

5 wicket in an innings and a century already in this Test. #IronMan of Indian cricket, @ashwinravi99

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 15, 2021

He’ll be one relieved man now!

Siraj's celebration there 🥰🥰🥰

— Matt Roller (@mroller98) February 15, 2021

After 82 overs,India 268/9 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 103 , Mohammed Siraj 1)

England have six balls at Siraj. Lets see if Moeen can dismiss him. The Hyderbad pacer blocks the second delivery and sneaks a quick single. Strike with Ashwin, the local boy whacks the third delivery for a maximum. An outside edge off Ashwin’s bat off the fifth, a boundary and Ashwin reaches the three-figure mark. Another boundary in the over, courtesy a leg bye, off the last delivery. 17 runs and a wicket in the over.

After 81 overs,India 251/9 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 91 , Mohammed Siraj 0)

Right, the new ball is available and England have opted for it right away. Ashwin with a straight drive off the fourth but he turns down a single. The local lad waits on the backfoot and cuts the next delivery for a boundary, moving into the nervous nineties in the process. India lead by 446 runs.

After 80 overs,India 247/9 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 87 , Mohammed Siraj 0)

Moeen continues. Ashwin sneaks a single off the second and offers a piece of advice to Siraj. Siraj once again sees off the over. The crowd is delighted as local lad Ashwin inches closer to his century.

After 79 overs,India 246/9 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 86 , Mohammed Siraj 0)

Siraj successfully sees of Leach’s over. A loud cheer from the crowd as Ashwin will take strike for the next over. The local boy is just 14 runs shy of his century.

After 78 overs,India 246/9 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 86 , Mohammed Siraj 0)

Four runs off Moeen’s 30th over as Ashwin collects another boundary, thanks to a well-timed sweep shot. India lead by 441 runs.

After 77 overs,India 242/9 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 82 , Mohammed Siraj 0)

Leach returns to the attack. Starts off with a half tracker, Ashwin goes on the backfoot, pulls it over mid-wicket but only manages a single. The left arm spinner gets the breakthrough off the fourth delivery, dismisses Ishant, who mistimes the sweep and holes out to Stone. Ashwin continues his march, collects a boundary off the penultimate delivery as he pulls a short delivery. Six runs and a wicket in the over.

After 76 overs,India 236/8 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 76 , Ishant Sharma 7)

Moeen continues. Tossed up delivery from the off spinner, the second, and Ishant collects a boundary as he clears the infield. A brace off the fourth, once again from Ishant’s blade. Second new ball is due in four overs.

After 75 overs,India 230/8 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 76 , Ishant Sharma 1)

Broad steams in for his ninth over. After three dots, Ashwin lifts the fourth delivery over the bowler’s head for a one-bounce four. A crisply timed flick shot off the fifth delivery helps Ashwin get off the mark while Ishant returns the favour off the final delivery. Six runs off the over.

After 74 overs,India 224/8 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 71 , Ishant Sharma 0)

Moeen with the ball as the third and final session of the day begins. Ashwin steps out off the third, misses the ball completely but Foakes fails to collect the ball and dislodge the stumps. Ashwin once again steps out off the penultimate delivery, and once again, he survives as the ball falls in no man’s land. Three runs off the over.

After 73 overs,India 221/8 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 68 , Ishant Sharma 0)

Just one off Broad’s eighth over. With that, tea has been called on Day 3 of the second Test, with India heading to the interval with a solid 416-run lead. Ashwin’s batting on 68, with Ishant yet to get off the mark at the other end.

Another quality session for the hosts that saw both Kohli and Ashwin bring up their fifties and stitch a partnership worth nearly a hundred, followed by a minor wobble caused by Moeen’s twin strike.

After 72 overs,India 220/8 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 67 , Ishant Sharma 0)

Tight field set around the bat with Moeen bowling to Ishant, the latter managing to survive another set of six deliveries. Second consecutive maiden for Moeen. One more over before tea.

After 71 overs,India 220/8 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 67 , Ishant Sharma 0)

Solid punch by Ashwin off Broad at the start of the over, but he decides against going for the single after the ball’s incercepted near deep extra cover, lest he expose Ishant to the seamer. Races back for a double after guiding the ball behind square off the second. Ashwin ends the over with a lofted drive over mid on for a boundary.

After 70 overs,India 214/8 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 61 , Ishant Sharma 0)

Ashwin has a quick word with Ishant at the start of the over with the latter on strike in Moeen’s 26th over. Ishant remains stout in defence as he sees off the six deliveries, resulting in a maiden.

After 69 overs,India 214/8 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 61 , Ishant Sharma 0)

Ishant joins Ashwin at the crease with England a couple of wickets away from bringing the innings to an end now. Four leg byes added to the Indian total off the third delivery although the ball didn’t appear to touch either Ashwin’s bat or any part of his leg as the batsman attempted a scoop towards fine leg.

After 68 overs,India 210/8 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 61 , )

Moeen continues with the round the wicket angle that fetched him a wicket in the previous over. Lovely drive from Kuldeep off the third delivery, pushing the fuller delivery from Moeen through cover for a brace. Another successful lbw appeal for Moeen as he gets rid of Kuldeep this time, the latter burning one of India’s available reviews on his way back to the dressing room.

OUT! A second leg-before appeal that goes Moeen’s way in as many overs as he gets rid of Kuldeep this time, the round-the-wicket angle working quite well in his favour. Kuldeep reviews, and gets three reds that results in India losing another of their reviews. IND 210/8

Kuldeep lbw Moeen 3(9)

After 67 overs,India 208/7 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 61 , Kuldeep Yadav 1)

Another Ben drops Ashwin, this time it’s keeper Foakes, with the ball bursting out of his glove after an outside edge by Ashwin, who then brings up the 400-lead with a boundary next ball. Single off each of the last two balls.

After 66 overs,India 202/7 ( Ravichandran Ashwin 56 , Kuldeep Yadav 0)

Moeen bowls round the wicket to Ashwin in this over, the latter setting off for a single after driving a full delivery outside off through cover. The offie continues with the angle to Kohli, and ultimately gets the breakthrough that England were looking for for quite some time now, trapping him lbw. The India skipper departs after producing a classic, having stretched India’s lead to close to 400 with help from Ashwin.

OUT! Virat Kohli’s long vigil finally comes to an end today as Moeen traps him leg-before, the second time the offie’s dismissed him this match! Partnership broken just short of the century mark. Kohli goes for the review, with the ball having hit him high on the pad, but ball is found to be clipping the top of middle on HawkEye. IND 202/7

Kohli lbw Moeen 62(149)

After 65 overs,India 201/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 62 , Ravichandran Ashwin 55)

Quite the attacking field set for Kohli in a short mid off and an extra cover in place for the drive as Broad continues with the medium-pace stuff. Maiden for the senior seamer.

After 64 overs,India 201/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 62 , Ravichandran Ashwin 55)

The singles keep coming at regular intervals, with Kohli and Ashwin collecting two each, as Team India cross the 200-run mark in this over.

After 63 overs,India 197/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 60 , Ravichandran Ashwin 53)

Broad brings out the cutters after being brought back in place of Stone on the other side of the drinks break. Once again, he produces a half chance, this time Ashwin getting a leading edge that falls short of Pope at cover. Just the one off the over.

After 62 overs,India 196/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 60 , Ravichandran Ashwin 52)

Moeen returns to the attack, replacing Leach. Couple of singles collected in the over, with a third one getting turned down in the fifth ball after Kohli’s sent back to the striker’s end by Ashwin. Time for the players to have a beverage.

After 61 overs,India 194/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 59 , Ravichandran Ashwin 51)

Couple of pull shots in this over, both Ashwin and Kohli getting a single off it. Kohli though, isn’t happy with the connection that he got. Was perhaps hoping to send the ball racing away to the backward square-leg fence. Two off Stone’s third over of the spell.

After 60 overs,India 192/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 58 , Ravichandran Ashwin 50)

After four dots, Kohli gets the scoreboard moving with a square cut that fetches him a double. Blocks the last delivery, does the captain.

After 59 overs,India 190/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 56 , Ravichandran Ashwin 50)

Root gets some extra protection on the on side for Ashwin, placing a square leg in addition to an FSL. Ashwin, anticipating some short stuff from Stone, slaps the ball down the ground through mid on, similar to a tennis forehand, for a brace before dispatching another back-of-length delivery through cover point for a boundary to bring up his fifty. Good over for the Indians with seven coming off it.

After 58 overs,India 183/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 55 , Ravichandran Ashwin 44)

Leach continues from the other end. Massive turn off the second delivery after pitching full along off, Foakes having to stick his arm out in a flash to grab it. Ashwin cuts hard next ball to send the ball racing away through point for a boundary. Root, meanwhile, brings in another slip for the left-arm spinner later in the over.

After 57 overs,India 179/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 55 , Ravichandran Ashwin 40)

Bit of a delay to the start of this over as Foakes had hurt his right hand while collecting the throw from mid off, needing a bit of attention from the physio. Meanwhile, pace back in play as Root brings Stone back in place of Moeen. Some quality running between the wickets as Kohli darts back for a second after guiding the ball towards fine leg. Two off the over.

After 56 overs,India 177/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 53 , Ravichandran Ashwin 40)

Kohli drives the ball towards mid off off the last delivery, dashing across the track for a quick single that prevents the over from going as a maiden.

After 55 overs,India 176/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 52 , Ravichandran Ashwin 40)

Five singles collected in the over as Kohli goes past the 50-run mark — his 25th half-century in Test cricket, having converted another 27 into centuries. Kohli’s been superb in the second innings of both Tests so far, putting up a batting masterclass on an incredibly difficult surface.

After 54 overs,India 171/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 49 , Ravichandran Ashwin 38)

Ashwin drives the ball through midwicket for a single off the second delivery to bring Kohli back on strike. The skipper follows suit two balls later as he scampers towards the non-striker’s after guiding the ball towards mid on, moving to 49. Sharp turn with bounce in the fifth as Ashwin edges the ball wide of slip. Two off the over.

After 53 overs,India 169/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 48 , Ravichandran Ashwin 37)

Faint appeal for lbw off the third delivery against Kohli, with no one except Moeen and Foakes showing interest in it. The India skipper brings out the slog sweep in the fifth delivery, getting enough timing on it for the ball to land just short of the backward square leg boundary rope. He moves to 48 with that shot.

After 52 overs,India 164/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 44 , Ravichandran Ashwin 36)

Ashwin taps the ball towards midwicket for a single off the fourth delivery after blocking the first three. Kohli defends the last two deliveries away. Tidy over for Leach.

After 51 overs,India 163/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 44 , Ravichandran Ashwin 35)

Four off the over, all of which are scored off the second delivery as Kohli pulls off a lovely drive through extra cover.

After 50 overs,India 159/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 40 , Ravichandran Ashwin 35)

Jack Leach from the Pattabhiraman End as Root goes with spin from both ends after lunch. Virat blocks the first three deliveries before collecting a single off the fourth after guiding the ball through the cover region, the only run collected in the over.

After 49 overs,India 158/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 39 , Ravichandran Ashwin 35)

Single off each of the first two deliveries of the over as Ashwin and Kohli keep the scoreboard ticking on the other side of the break. Bit of a mix-up in the fourth delivery as Ashwin sends Kohli back after the latter ran almost halfway up the pitch looking for a quick single. Two off the over.

LUNCH, DAY 3 

Right, shared first session. India just consolidating on their lead. Yes, England scalped five wickets but Kohli and Ashwin have steadied the ship, bringing up the 50-run partnership. India lead by 351 runs.

An approach that certainly has done both him and the team a world of good

Ashwin's approach is interesting. Even with Kohli at the other end, and with a pretty good defence to fall back on, he thinks taking a chance is mandatory and that defence isn't much good.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 15, 2021

After 48 overs,India 156/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 38 , Ravichandran Ashwin 34)

Last over before lunch as Daniel Lawrence, right-arm off break, comes into the attack. England opt for an odd review off the first, the ball clearly going down leg. Needless really, but Root took it since Foakes was really interested. Overpitches outside off on the fourth delivery, Ashwin pierces the gap on the off side and collects a triple. A couple of runs at the end of the over to bring up the 50-run stand between Kohli and Ashwin. Seven runs off it in total.

After 47 overs,India 149/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 35 , Ravichandran Ashwin 30)

Broad continues. Foakes walks up to the stumps. The pacer varies his lengths well as Kohli either leaves or defends the six deliveries. Maiden for Broad.

After 46 overs,India 149/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 35 , Ravichandran Ashwin 30)

Root returns to the attack. Six runs off his fourth over, including a boundary from the blade of Kohli, who clips it fine. India 344 runs ahead at the end of the over.

After 45 overs,India 143/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 30 , Ravichandran Ashwin 29)

Time for some pace! Bowling change as Broad comes into the attack. Strays on Ashwin’s pads off the first and the right-hander tickles it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. Leach put in a full-length dive in that region but it was in vain. Broad successfully induces the outside edge off Ashwin’s bat on the penultimate delivery but Stokes drops a reflex catch at first slip. Five runs off the over.

After 44 overs,India 138/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 30 , Ravichandran Ashwin 24)

Kohli looks rock solid with his defence, nicely getting behind the line off the ball in Leach’s 22nd over. Maiden over for Leach, his fifth. The Indian skipper, meanwhile, calls for drinks.

After 43 overs,India 138/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 30 , Ravichandran Ashwin 24)

Root continues to operate from round the wicket against the two right handers. Kohli brings the bottom hand into play as he flicks the third delivery towards mid-wicket for a single. Ashwin opts for the sweep shot, off the fifth delivery, and it fetches him a boundary. Five runs off the over.

After 42 overs,India 133/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 29 , Ravichandran Ashwin 20)

Leach continues. Virat walks up and has a word with Ashwin after the third delivery of the over. On the very next ball, he sweeps the ball towards backward square leg for boundary. Six runs off the over.

After 41 overs,India 127/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 29 , Ravichandran Ashwin 14)

Root continues. Ashwin employs the sweep off the second and sixth, collecting a double and a single in the process. The round the wicket angle is working for Root, he’s been able to stem the flow of runs. Three runs off the over.

After 40 overs,India 124/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 29 , Ravichandran Ashwin 11)

Leach continues from one end. The pitch playing all sorts of trick. Spinners extracting good bounce from the surface. But the third delivery of this over kept low. Ashwin charges down the track and whacks the fourth delivery towards long for a triple. Four runs off the over.

After 39 overs,India 120/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 28 , Ravichandran Ashwin 8)

Bowling change for England as Joe Root comes into the attack. Bowls two dots before Kohli nudges the third towards mid-wicket for a single. Just one off the over as Ashwin sees off the final three deliveries.

After 38 overs,India 119/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 27 , Ravichandran Ashwin 8)

England may have a lot of wickets today but the spinners give giving some freebies. Kohli got one as Leach bowled short on off and the Indian skipper got himself a boundary. Five from the over.

After 37 overs,India 114/6 ( Virat Kohli (C) 22 , Ravichandran Ashwin 8)

Wickets keep tumbling on Day 3 at Chepauk. Axar missed a straight one for Moeen and the umpire after a pause gave him not out, lbw. The all-rounder wasn’t convinced and went for a DRS but it was umpire’s call on hitting stumps. R Ashwin is the new man and starts off with two boundaries, first with a sweep and another with a reverse sweep which Stokes feel he saved but there was some touch with the ropes.

OUT! Axar lbw b Moeen Ali 7(18)

Axar beaten on forward defence and is given out LBW. He is not sure about the height and reviews it but it’s umpire’s call on hitting. Axar has to leave.

After 36 overs,India 106/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 22 , Axar Patel 7)

It is increasingly getting tough to bat out there but there’s something so reassuring about how Kohli bunts down the deliveries with his forward defence. He has played over 50 deliveries and hasn’t look in much trouble. He finishes the Leach over with boundary on leg as India take their lead over 300 runs.

After 35 overs,India 102/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 18 , Axar Patel 7)

Moeen ruined the over with the last delivery which was half-tracker and allowed Axar to score a boundary. Before that, the spinner bowled some beauties beating Axar on three occasions straight.

After 34 overs,India 127/3 ( Rohit Sharma 88 , Ajinkya Rahane 18)

Drinks break done and the action resumes with Leach bowling. Just one from the over as Axar nudges the short delivery to deep square on leg side, besides that it was a pretty tight over.

After 33 overs,India 97/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 18 , Axar Patel 2)

Moeen Ali continues. Axar plays one with hard hands the outside edge rolls way to the backward point as the batsman gets off the strike. India inching close to 100-run mark.

After 32 overs,India 96/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 18 , Axar Patel 1)

A very expensive over from Leach. 10 coming from it for India. The spinner started off with a wide delivery that Kohli cut on off for a triple. Axar gave the strike back to Kohli with a single who got a double before punching an overpitched delivery down the ground for a boundary. Welcome runs these for India.

After 31 overs,India 86/5 ( Virat Kohli (C) 9 , Axar Patel 0)

Moeen Ali continues. India lose another wicket and Moeen picks up one despite some ordinary bowling so far. Rahane was looking nervy and tentative. He decided to come out to defend against a looping delivery which turned and took the inside-edge for Pope to take a very good catch. Axar Patel is now in the middle.

Bowlers dismissing Rahane most times in Tests:

10 – Nathan Lyon
7 – Moeen Ali*
6 – Stuart Broad

WICKET! Rahane c Ollie Pope b Moeen Ali 10(14) 

Rahane nervy stay in the middle is over. He was finding it tough o deal with the spin bowling and came out to defend against a flighted delivery which spun, took the inside-edge onto the pads and went into the hands of Pope.

After 30 overs,India 86/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 9 , Ajinkya Rahane 10)

A leading edge off Kohli’s bat but it falls wide of silly point. The Indian skipper was guilty of trying to close the face of the bat too early. He finishes the over with a boundary as he pushes one wide of slip and short third man fielder Olly Stone messes it up.

After 29 overs,India 82/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 5 , Ajinkya Rahane 10)

England made a great start today but Moeen Ali with his ordinary bowling seems like would release all the pressure. Rahane was struggling to get the balls away and then he got a full toss that was smashed through covers for a four. The next delivery was short and Rahane pulled it for another boundary. Eight off the over.

— Axar Patel, Rohit Sharma & Rishabh Pant, all have been dismissed stumped in this Test.

— Most ‘Stumped’ dismissals for India in a Test match:

3 v England, Leeds, 1952
3 v Sri Lanka, Delhi, 2017
3 v England, Chennai, 2021*

What a day so far for the birthday boy!

Ben Foakes becomes the first English keeper to get 3 stumpings in a match since Alan Knott in 1968.

Nobody has taken 4 for England, but the overall record is 6 by Kiran More against West Indies in 1988.#INDvENG #Statchat

— Michael Wagener (@Mykuhl) February 15, 2021

After 28 overs,India 74/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 5 , Ajinkya Rahane 2)

Something or the other is happening on every delivery at the Chepauk. Rahane under-edged the first delivery of Leach’s over trying to cut close from the body but Foakes couldn’t collect it. He hardly had any time. Kohli added a triple after this with a cover drive that was not very far from the fielder. As they say, it’s all happening out there. Five from the over.

After 27 overs,India 69/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 2 , Ajinkya Rahane 0)

Moeen Ali continues. Four from the over and it was given as leg byes but Kohli had got it from the bat. It spun sharply and the umpire missed the shot as it went down to the fine leg.

After 26 overs,India 65/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 2 , Ajinkya Rahane 0)

Pant sweeps hard towards fine leg to collect his first boundary, but thanks to the combined brilliance of Leach and Foakes, is stumped off the very next delivery. And Rahane very nearly gets dismissed himself, going for an aerial cut off a delivery that rears up sharply, the ball landing just short of Stone at point.

Indian players dismissed stumped most times across formats:

15 – Sourav Ganguly
12 – Sachin Tendulkar
10 – Mohammad Azharuddin
9 – Rohit Sharma*
8 – Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman, Ravi Shastri

OUT! Another brilliant piece of work by Ben Foakes behind the stumps as he’s quick to whip the bails off after Pant misses a slog! Good work by Leach too! IND 65/4

Pant st Foakes b Leach 8(11)

After 25 overs,India 61/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 2 , Rishabh Pant (W) 4)

Kohli finally gets off the mark in this Test with a brace off the penultimate delivery. That’s two of the three runs collected in this over, the other a single to Pant.

After 24 overs,India 58/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 0 , Rishabh Pant (W) 3)

Testing over from Leach as the India skippers stays put at his crease, the left-arm spinner walking away with his fourth maiden of the innings.

After 23 overs,India 58/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 0 , Rishabh Pant (W) 3)

Surprise! Pant promoted up the order. Pant top edges the second delivery while going for the sweep, the ball going towards fine leg as he collects a double. India living dangerously at the moment. But that’s Pant, he backs his instincts. Two runs off the over.

After 22 overs,India 56/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 0 , Rishabh Pant (W) 1)

Leach continues. And gets the breakthrough as Rohit gets stumped, thanks to a collective effort from Pope, at forward short leg and Foakes, the wicketkeeper. Rohit had no part of his foot inside the crease, as was evident with the replay. India, just letting things slip here. Wicket maiden for Leach.

After 21 overs,India 55/2 ( Rohit Sharma 26 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

Right, exciting battle this, Virat against Moeen. The off-spinner bamboozled the Indian skipper in the previous innings with a classic off break delivery. However, no risks in this over. Maiden, second on the trot for England.

After 20 overs,India 55/2 ( Rohit Sharma 26 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

Kohli joins Rohit at the crease as Leach bowls from the other end. Rohit happy to see of that over. Maiden for the left-arm spinner

Most times dismissed run-out since Cheteshwar Pujara’s debut in Tests:

9 – Cheteshwar Pujara*
8 – Joe Root
6 – Azhar Ali
6 – Rangana Herath
6 – Ross Taylor

After 20 overs,India 55/2 ( Rohit Sharma 26 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

Moeen with the first over on Day 3. A slip and a short leg in place for Pujara before the second delivery. Pujara looks to use his use feet in the over thrice, fails to get off the mark and gets run out on the final delivery of the over as his bat gets stuck. Pope, at short leg, flicks the ball to Foakes and the keeper completes the formalities. One run and a wicket off the over.

WI win another thriller!

At Dhaka, a West Indian team missing quite a few of its key players pulled off another thrilling victory over Bangladesh after Kyle Mayers’ heist in Chattogram, this time winning by 17 runs to record a 2-0 sweep over the Tigers, making for one of the most memorable victories for the team in recent history.

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Meanwhile, Hasan Ali hit two sixes in the penultimate over to help Pakistan clinch the Twenty20 international series against South Africa with a four-wicket win in the third and final match in Lahore on Sunday.

Hasan finished with a seven-ball 20 not out as Pakistan overhauled a 165-run target in 18.4 overs to win the series 2-1.

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Australian great Ian Chappell feels that by not declaring their second innings in the opening Test, England captain Joe Root missed out on sending a message, which could have given him a “valuable psychological advantage” later in the series. 

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“No one said a word about the pitch when India had no chance”: With these words spin legend Shane Warne on Sunday silenced former England captain Michael Vaughan who had slammed the surface used for the second Test at Chepauk. 

Ravichandran Ashwin surpasses Harbhajan Singh to become the second-highest wicket-taker in Tests played in India.

Ashwin got past Harbhajan, who took 265 wickets at an average of 28.76, by dismissing Ben Stokes with a perfect off-spinner on the second day of the second Test against England here. Ashwin’s average is 22.67. 

Five sessions into the second of the back-to-back Chennai rubbers, England’s effort from five days of the opening game had been neutralised.

It’s been a strange first 45 days of Test cricket in 2021, yes. But with India leading by 249 runs, with nine wickets in hand, at a crumbling Chepauk, with three days left to play — it all seems a little inevitable.

India took command of the second Test after an exhilarating day two when 15 wickets fell on a rapidly deteriorating pitch with star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin ensuring a massive first-innings lead for the hosts with his 29th five-wicket haul, on Sunday.

Resuming the day at 300 for six, Rishabh Pant took India to 329 in their first innings with an unbeaten 58 before running out of partners.