India vs England, Highlights, 1st Test at Chennai Day 3, Full Cricket Score: Bess picks four as hosts end up with 257-6 at stumps

After 73 overs,India 253/6 ( Washington Sundar 33 , Ravichandran Ashwin 8)

Archer comes back on for probably only the last time today. Single off the first ball. And then Ashwin blocks and blocks and leaves. .

After 72 overs,India 252/6 ( Washington Sundar 32 , Ravichandran Ashwin 8)

Terrific shot from Sundar at the start of the over. Very confident out there the young man. He is showing great maturity in dealing with this situation. One off the second ball and then Ashwin blocks all remaining balls.

After 71 overs,India 247/6 ( Washington Sundar 27 , Ravichandran Ashwin 8)

Bess continues. Ashwin happy to block him. He came down the track to play an off drive for no run. Then adopted more safe approach to tackle the off spin. A maiden over.

After 70 overs,India 247/6 ( Washington Sundar 27 , Ravichandran Ashwin 8)

Jofra drops a catch running back at long on. Sundar played one in the air, another no-look shot, but this time did not connect, ball went high up in the air, Jofra gave the chase but never reached to it. It seems the plan is to play an over each till stumps as Sundar had an easy run on the leg side but did not take it while Ashwin was half way there.

After 69 overs,India 245/6 ( Washington Sundar 25 , Ravichandran Ashwin 8)

Leach continues. Eight overs left or about 20 minutes, whichever happens first. Ashwin and Sundar continue to negate the last phase of day’s play. Just 1 off the over.

After 68 overs,India 244/6 ( Washington Sundar 24 , Ravichandran Ashwin 8)

Sundar playing brilliantly. He is carrying on the good batting form from Gabba. Still early days for him in this innings but has looked very good. Ashwin solid in the middle as well. Remember, both Chennai boys. Must play knock of their lives here to save India.

After 67 overs,India 242/6 ( Washington Sundar 23 , Ravichandran Ashwin 7)

Stokes continues. Sundar played one of the best shots of the day with that cover drive coming effortlessly from his bat off Stokes. Five off the over.

After 66 overs,India 237/6 ( Washington Sundar 19 , Ravichandran Ashwin 6)

Leach continues. England lose another review. Ball hit Sundar’s back leg on its way to the keeper. Yet again it was way outside off that ball. Root was hesitant to go upstairs but bowler and keeper were far too confident. No run in the over.

After 65 overs,India 237/6 ( Washington Sundar 19 , Ravichandran Ashwin 6)

Four dots for Stokes at the start of the over before Sundar works the ball to the on side for a single. Ashwin with a solid defence on the last ba;;. Just one off the over.

After 64 overs,India 236/6 ( Washington Sundar 18 , Ravichandran Ashwin 6)

England lose a review after Root goes for it. Very bad one, the ball was way outside he off stump and Sundar padded it, did not offer a shot. It was missing the stumps by some distance.

After 63 overs,India 235/6 ( Washington Sundar 17 , Ravichandran Ashwin 6)

Stokes returns to the attack. Two dots on first two balls before a single to Ashwin. Followed by a leg bye. A quiet over from Stokes. Two off it.

After 62 overs,India 233/6 ( Washington Sundar 17 , Ravichandran Ashwin 5)

Leach continues. Three off the over. Ashwin and Sundar in defensive mode. Nadeem is the next man in and he is sitting quietly waiting for his turn. He would not mind not getting there today. 15 overs still left today.

After 61 overs,India 230/6 ( Washington Sundar 16 , Ravichandran Ashwin 3)

Bess continues. Sundar is playing beautifully. He is leaving and blocking the good balls. And scoring runs whenever there is a possibility.

After 60 overs,India 229/6 ( Washington Sundar 16 , Ravichandran Ashwin 2)

Leach continues. Good over from him as India remains on back foot, playing safe at the moment. The stumps is still at some distance and England look to bowl India out.

After 59 overs,India 227/6 ( Washington Sundar 15 , Ravichandran Ashwin 1)

Bess continues. Ashwin played him pretty well. On front foot all time, the bat facing mid off. A maiden for Bess.

After 58 overs,India 227/6 ( Washington Sundar 15 , Ravichandran Ashwin 1)

Pant back to the hut and Leach comes back into the attack. Good over from him. Just two off it, all singles. Sundar played him well.

After 57 overs,India 225/6 ( Washington Sundar 14 , Ravichandran Ashwin 0)

Pant sweeps Bess for four on the first ball and then tries to smash him for a six again but falls in the process. He is gone for 91. Big wicket for England. Ashwin has come in to bat. The last batting pair for India.

After 56 overs,India 221/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 87 , Washington Sundar 14)

Joe Root, right-arm off break, comes into the attack now. He is bowling way outside the off stump, luring Pant to play the big shot. Just one off the over, a single to long off on last ball. Time for drinks.

After 55 overs,India 220/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 86 , Washington Sundar 14)

Sundar collects two boundaries in the over. The young legs want to run quick singles as well. Pujara’s wicket has dented India’s hopes further in this innings. But recent history tells us both of these batsmen have it in them to play for long. 10 off the over.

After 54 overs,India 210/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 85 , Washington Sundar 5)

Leach continues. Sundar drives him for four through covers. Top shot, considering it was pitched it the rough outside off but Sundar used his long legs to good effect to play that shot.

Indian keepers to hit five-plus sixes in a Test innings:

MS Dhoni (Four times)
Rishabh Pant*

Indian batsmen to be dismissed most times in 70s:

13: Sachin Tendulkar 
9: VVS Laxman
9: Cheteshwar Pujara*
8: Rahul Dravid

After 53 overs,India 202/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 82 , Washington Sundar 0)

Pant is passing motivating words from non striker end to Sundar. “Keep going, keep going”, he is saying. Sundar continued to defend Bess in this over. A maiden.

After 52 overs,India 202/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 82 , Washington Sundar 0)

Terrific from Pant. With a leg slip in place, he plays a scoop against Leach and then smashes him for another six off the last ball. Stuff only he could pull off. 10 off the over.

After 51 overs,India 192/5 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 72 , Washington Sundar 0)

Poor luck. That is what one may describe that wicket, from India’s point of view. Good shot on a bad ball, yet the batsman is going back. Pujara worked hard to get out in this fashion. India have lost half of their side now. Sundar has joined Pant in the middle.

After 50 overs,India 192/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 73 , Rishabh Pant (W) 72)

Archer continues. No boundary in this over. Pant with a lovely on drive for a double. Just four off the over. The partnership continues to grow.

After 49 overs,India 188/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 72 , Rishabh Pant (W) 69)

Bess continues. The fielder back at long on for Pant. Commentators feel it is done to keep Pant silent but the fact is that man there for catching because Pant will anyway go after the spinner if needed. Pujara with an excellent drive to get four runs. However his technique to play off spin always keeps the bowler interested.

After 48 overs,India 182/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 67 , Rishabh Pant (W) 68)

Top shot from Pujara. Short and room from the batsman and he punches it through covers for four runs. A boundary and a single in the over. Heat it seems is beginning to have an effect on the English.

After 47 overs,India 177/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 62 , Rishabh Pant (W) 68)

100-run stand has come up between Pujara and Pant. This was much-needed for India. Both have looked very positive with the bat. One boundary in the over and a single.

After 46 overs,India 172/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 57 , Rishabh Pant (W) 68)

Pujara gets the right hand checked by the physio. He was hit on the same hand in the last over. He is good to carry on for now. He is used to playing with pain and the last series is a testament to the same. A maiden for Archer.

After 45 overs,India 172/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 57 , Rishabh Pant (W) 68)

Four off the first ball of this Anderson over. The ball is beginning to get soft. The softer it is the better for the batting team. A little meeting between Pujara and Pant after a mix up. A single off the next ball. Pujara defends last two balls. Last ball hit him on the gloves again. He has been hit quite a lot on those hands. Five off the over.

After 44 overs,India 167/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 57 , Rishabh Pant (W) 63)

Top shot from Pujara at the start of the new Archer over, fullish and a lovely on drive off the blade of Pujara. A lot of chatting from Pant from the non-strikers end as he is trying to motivate Pujara. Wonder if Pujara needs these words for the way he is playing.

After 43 overs,India 163/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 53 , Rishabh Pant (W) 63)

Anderson back on as well. Back of the length, wide off off to Pant and slaps it for four runs to backward point. There is just one slip for Pant and a wide gully on place for a cut shot. A solid hit on the last ball for a boundaty to finish the over. Eight off it.

After 42 overs,India 155/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 53 , Rishabh Pant (W) 55)

Archer back on right after Tea break. On the money, into the body. There is a leg gully in place because Pant does not think too much before playing the flick off his legs to the inswingers. He does get one on the legs on the fourth ball, flicks it but there is a man at backward square leg to cut it off. Just one off the over.

After 41 overs,India 154/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 53 , Rishabh Pant (W) 54)

Tea, Day 3!

Despite the loss of two big wickets, it is a shared session with India recovering well thanks to a counter-attack from Pant and Pujara. Both have reached their fifties and looking set for a big one. Bess and Leach have bowled well but Pant and Pujara did not look to uncomfortable against them. Great contest is on. Meet us again after 20 minutes. 

India 154/4, trail by 424 runs.

After 40 overs,India 153/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 53 , Rishabh Pant (W) 53)

Fifty for Pujara. Another fine knock from the rock of Indian team. The strike is fine as well, just under 50. Pant has completed his fifty as well. The counter punch from him as enabled India to recover well after loss of two big wickets in quick succession. 10 off the over. 150 up for India as well.

After 39 overs,India 143/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 48 , Rishabh Pant (W) 48)

Bess continues. Pant goes after him on the first ball, over the infield on the off side for a boundary. This is nice from Pant. Pant and Pujara both on 48, let’s see who gets to fifty first.

After 38 overs,India 139/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 48 , Rishabh Pant (W) 44)

Leach continues. If Pant is smashing Leach, Pujara is flicking and cutting him. The is a brilliant approach to play spin, especially Leach, on this track by this pair. They are not succumbing and playing too defensively. Eight off the over.

After 37 overs,India 131/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 40 , Rishabh Pant (W) 44)

Bess continues. Run out chance for England as Pujara danced down the ground and flicked it on leg side but Pope was aware and was quick to field and throw to the keeper but Pujara was quick to come back as well. Third umpire checked for both run out and a possible catch but no damage done to India.

After 36 overs,India 129/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 39 , Rishabh Pant (W) 43)

The partnership between Pant and Pujara is 56 now off 56 balls now. Pant brought up the fifty stand between the two with a six on the first ball of the over. Nine runs off the over.

After 35 overs,India 120/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 38 , Rishabh Pant (W) 35)

Pant is not going after Bess. He is only going after the deliveries coming in to him after stepping out. He is not playing without brains here. Adopting the same approach Stokes adopted while dealing with Ashwin and Co. One off this over.

After 34 overs,India 119/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 38 , Rishabh Pant (W) 34)

Pant goes after Leach yet again. Six off the the first ball, this is a statement made from Pant to Leach that every time he bowls at him, it is the bowler who is under pressure. But Leach is always in with a chance with such an approach adopted by the batsman. 11 off the over.

Double-digit score at which Kohli got dismissed most times in his international career: 

11: 9 times* 

15: 8 times

After 33 overs,India 108/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 35 , Rishabh Pant (W) 26)

Bess continues. England are attacking. More fielders around bat and pad. Slip, silly point and short leg in place. Inside edge off Pujara almost fell short to the fielder at short leg. One off the over.

After 32 overs,India 107/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 35 , Rishabh Pant (W) 25)

Leach comes back on. Flight on the ball and Pant goes after him, tries to clear the long on boundary but does not time it well. There are fielders in the deep on the leg side but that does not bother Pant. Three balls later he hits him for a six over deep mid-wicket. One more six on the fifth ball of the over. Leach has come into the attack to get the advantage off the rough patch for the left-handers. Pant at the crease has led to him taking the ball in hand and Pant is tackling the situation by stepping out and clearing ropes. 15 off the over.

After 31 overs,India 92/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 34 , Rishabh Pant (W) 11)

Pujara shows he wants to attack and he collects two boundaries off Bess off last two balls. Good intent being shown by the India No 3. Eight off the over.

After 29 overs,India 76/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 26 , Rishabh Pant (W) 3)

Two back to back boundaries for Pant at the start of the new Archer over. More closer to the off stump from thereon was Archer, fuller at times. Eight off the over.

Captains dismissed for most times in Tests:

1601 : England
1269 : Australia 
805 : India*
804 : West Indies
720 : New Zealand

After 29 overs,India 76/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 26 , Rishabh Pant (W) 3)

Little short from Bess to Pant and the batsman hits it to deep mid-wicket to collect three. Pujara watchful against Bess. England have played a short leg, a mid-wicket and a man at leg gully for him.

After 28 overs,India 73/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 26 , Rishabh Pant (W) 0)

Archer returns. There is no respite for the Indians. Archer very close to the stumps. He has been the best bowler for England so far but others are not fare behind. A maiden for him.

After 27 overs,India 73/4 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 26 , Rishabh Pant (W) 0)

Rahane tried to play Bess with the spin on the up towards mid-wicket and almost hit it directly to the fielder. Two balls later he does the same on the off side and a brilliant Root catch at covers gets rid of him. India have been pushed on back foot by England here. Pant ha joined Pujara in the middle after players took the drinks.

After 26 overs,India 73/3 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 26 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

Anderson continues. An inswinger on the legs and Pujara flicks it for one to backward square leg. Rahane gets hit on the fingers as well. Anderson is getting the ball to reverse. At the moment, England all over India. Not just because of what scorecard reflects but because their is a plan in place, and the bowlers are sticking to it, making it work.

After 25 overs,India 71/3 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 25 , Ajinkya Rahane 0)

Bess has his man, the big man. He should be ecstatic about it. He has removed Kohli with a classic off spinner. Got bounce off the pitch and Kohli did not play in the line. Superb catch from Pope as well. India on back foot. Rahane the new man in. Successful over for England.

After 24 overs,India 70/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 24 , Virat Kohli (C) 11)

Anderson continues. Kohli avoiding the temptations from Anderson to go at him. He is happy blocking and leaving. Another top over from war horse. A maiden.

After 23 overs,India 70/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 24 , Virat Kohli (C) 11)

Bess continues. Kohli goes on back foot to play the first ball on leg side. Quick single to mid-on on the third ball. Fourth ball turned in sharply to surprise of Pujara. Hit the top of bat on inside. Could have chopped on. Pujara steps out on last ball, hits ball on the full, but Bess fields well off his own bowling.

After 22 overs,India 69/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 24 , Virat Kohli (C) 10)

Anderson replaces Archer. A silly mid on in place for Pujara. Maybe the plan is to bowl close to Pujara. Anderson is also covering the ball before release of the ball. Signs of the ball reversing. This SG ball begins reversing very soon as we have seen when India bowled. Anderson and Co have realised the same. A yorker tried on last ball but Pujara safe as ever.

After 21 overs,India 69/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 24 , Virat Kohli (C) 10)

Nick Knight with a good spot. Kohli is watching very closely as Bess is delivering the ball from the non strikers end. This is what separates greats from ordinary. Catching chance as Kohli played one in air to ma at short mid-wicket, fell just short of him.

After 20 overs,India 67/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 23 , Virat Kohli (C) 9)

Archer continues. One leg cutter almost took the edge of Kohli’s bat to the keeper. He has used the cutters to great use. These are bowled at good pace as well, giving less time for the batsmen to reach to them. He is mixing it up well Archer in terms of length as well. Anything back of the length, Pujara is solid. Two off the over.

After 19 overs,India 65/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 22 , Virat Kohli (C) 8)

Dominic Bess back into the attack. Kohli works the first ball on the leg side for a single. Pujara blocks one before getting one on leg side as well. Kohli cautiously plays last three deliveries for no runs. Two off the over.

After 18 overs,India 63/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 21 , Virat Kohli (C) 7)

Pujara is in his zone at the moment. Not willing to go after Archer who is hitting the length consistently. Good over from the England bowler, not giving any freedom to the batsman to score off him. Back to back maidens.

After 17 overs,India 63/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 21 , Virat Kohli (C) 7)

Anderson now going away from off stump, the same tactic asking Kohli to play away from the body. Kohli is letting them go past him. A maiden over for Anderson as he continues to find his discipline back.

After 16 overs,India 63/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 21 , Virat Kohli (C) 7)

Archer comes back on. Fullish way outside off to Pujara, a lure really for him to drive but Pujara lets it go. He collects a single off the third ball with a push. Kohli collects a single as well. Two off the over.

Kohli v Anderson in Tests:

2012 : 23 runs, 1 dismissal
2014 : 19 runs, 4 dismissal 
2016 : 69 runs, 0 dismissal 
2018 : 114 runs, 0 dismissal

After 15 overs,India 61/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 20 , Virat Kohli (C) 6)

Anderson to Kohli after the lunch. Fuller first ball and Kohli defends. Anderson is focussing on the off stump line.He is slowly going wide of off stump, making Kohli play at it. The fifth ball a little too straight to the liking of Anderson and Kohli flicks it, beats the short mid-wicket for a double.

After 14 overs,India 59/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 20 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Stokes is back and he’s bowling over the wicket. Leg-cutter to Pujara who goes for the push but misses it. This one is a maiden and umpires call for lunch.

After 13 overs,India 59/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 20 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Dom Bess takes the ball. Kohli drives the first one straight to long-on for a single. Pujara and Virat are experts when it comes to playing spin bowling so a tough test ahead for both Leach and Bess. Just two from Bess’ first over of the match.

After 12 overs,India 57/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 19 , Virat Kohli (C) 3)

Time for some spin now. Jack Leach has been introduced into the attack. Maybe Root should’ve given one more over for Archer and that’s what Ajit Agarkar is saying on TV. There’s spin and turn for Leach in his first over. A four and a dot to end the over.

After 11 overs,India 51/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 14 , Virat Kohli (C) 2)

Stokes bowls with a packed leg-side field and he wants Kohli to go for his shots. He’s bowling short of length to the Indian captain hoping that the batsman sends the ball straight to the square or mid-wicket fielders. Great start from the England bowlers.

After 10 overs,India 45/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 9 , Virat Kohli (C) 1)

Gill plays a beautiful drive for a boundary and then plays a similar shot a touch early which results in his dismissal. It needed something special to dismiss him and Anderson does it with his catching effort. Gill was looking so good in the middle but kudos to England. Virat Kohli is the new man in and he’s welcomed with a nasty bouncer. Archer is on fire. Another good ball to beat Pujara.

Virat Kohli batting average in Tests:

Overall : 53.41
v England : 49.06
in India : 68.42

GONE!

James Anderson with a brilliant catch at mid-on. Gill is shocked. He plays the on-drive again but this time, the ball goes in the air and Anderson dives with both hands to grab the chance. Archer and England team are happy. Shubman Gill c Anderson b Jofra Archer 29(28)

After 9 overs,India 40/1 ( Shubman Gill 25 , Cheteshwar Pujara 9)

Ben Stokes is into the attack and he’s bowling round the wicket. The first ball is short, Gill pulls and takes a single. Stokes wants Gill to plays his pull shots in the air because there are fielders at fine-leg and deep square-leg. The batsman doesn’t fall to the trap, at least not in this over. Three off it.

After 8 overs,England 16/0 ( Rory Burns 8 , Dom Sibley 7)

Archer continues. He’s sticking to bowling on the stumps when Pujara is on strike. Three dots and then Pujara glances behind square for a single. Archer follows it up with a good bouncer to Gill. The batsman drops his head and lets the ball go. Gill taps the final ball to leg-side and takes a run. Looks like he felt the pain as the ball hits the glove.

After 7 overs,India 35/1 ( Shubman Gill 22 , Cheteshwar Pujara 7)

Anderson to Gill, the batsman drives but it is straight to short mid-on fielder. Two confident shots from Gill for two boundaries. Anderson needs to work on his line and length, espcially when bowling to Shubman. The pacer who took 606 Test wicket till now is put under pressure by the newcomer.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s last five Test innings in India:

55, 54, 0, 58, 81

After 6 overs,India 27/1 ( Shubman Gill 14 , Cheteshwar Pujara 7)

Archer to Gill, a push to the leg side and he takes a quick single. Archer bowls a ripper after the four from Pujara. Full and on the fifth stump with scrambled seam, Pujara plays and misses. Two dots to end the over.

After 5 overs,India 22/1 ( Shubman Gill 13 , Cheteshwar Pujara 3)

Anderson to Pujara. Off-stump line from the pacer but not much bounce for him unlike Archer. Goes wide of the crease after three balls, Pujara gets some room and taps it to backward point for a double. There’s a short mid-on in place and Pujara almost hands him a catch. This ball is full and on the stumps.

After 4 overs,India 20/1 ( Shubman Gill 13 , Cheteshwar Pujara 1)

Beauty from Archer to start the over. After conceding the boundary, Archer correct his line, extracts extra bounce from the pitch and it results in the downfall of Rohit Sharma. Superb delivery and it deserves a wicket. Cheteshwar Pujara is the new man in and he’s off the mark with a quicks single.

Edge and gone!

Extra pace and bounce as Rohit nicks it to the keeper. Archer with a big wicket. Rohit c Buttler b Jofra Archer 6(9)

After 3 overs,India 15/0 ( Rohit Sharma 2 , Shubman Gill 13)

James Anderson vs Shubman Gill. The veteran vs the newcomer. This is a much better over compared to the last one Anderson bowled but Gill is also up to the task. Plays a good-looking push for a boundary. Five runs from the over.

Oh shot! 

Just a push straight down the ground from Gill against Anderson. What timing!

Countries in which Anderson has not taken a five-for yet in Tests:

India
U.A.E.

After 2 overs,India 10/0 ( Rohit Sharma 1 , Shubman Gill 9)

Jofra Archer to Shubman Gill. Gentle push to the covers and it’s in the gap. Two runs for the batsman. Another double, this time Gill clips it away to the right of mid-on fielder. A good ball to beat Gill’s defence, the ball just carrying to the keeper. A four to end the over.

After 1 overs,India 2/0 ( Rohit Sharma 1 , Shubman Gill 1)

Anderson starts off with down the leg delivery. A wide in white-ball cricket. Rohit pushes the next one to covers and takes a quick single. Anderson goes down the leg again, Gill flicks it to fine-leg and he’s off the mark. The pacer is struggling with his line and no swing. Two from the over.

Rohit Shamra batting average in Tests:

Home : 88.33 
Away : 27.00

Two spectators who want Rohit to score a lot of runs!

Say hello to our cute little supporter 😍#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/CQg8U9c3Tx

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 7, 2021

Most overs bowled by Ashwin in a Test innings:

55.1 v England, Chennai, 2021 (1st innings)*

53 v Australia, Adelaide, 2012 (1st innings)

52.5 v Australia, Adelaide, 2018 (4th innings)

BOWLED! 

Ashwin with the final wicket. The attempted slow sweep fails. England are bowled out for 578 in 190.1 overs. Anderson b Ashwin 1(12)

After 190 overs,England 578/9 ( Jack Leach 14 , James Anderson 1)

Another fumble from Pant as Bumrah goes short to Leach. This allows the batsmen to sneak a single. Just one run and England survive another over.

After 189 overs,England 577/9 ( Jack Leach 14 , James Anderson 1)

Well, this is very frustrating for Virat Kohli and his players. James Anderson plays out the four balls before taking a single and then Ashwin goes down the leg to Leach. Nine overs done since the start of the morning session.

After 188 overs,England 576/9 ( Jack Leach 14 , James Anderson 0)

Bumrah continues. Slightly short when it comes to the length. Tries a yorker in the fourth ball but it ends up being a low full-toss. Leach drives and Pujara does well to stop the ball. No intent to score runs so probably England are looking for the pitch to deteriorate further.

After 187 overs,England 576/9 ( Jack Leach 14 , James Anderson 0)

Ravichandran Ashwin with the new ball. After the four, Leach again comes down the track but this time, the bat is nowhere near the ball. It’s an easy stumping chance but Rishabh Pant misses it. Leach then plays a sweep and misses and Pant again fails to collect the ball so it’s four byes. The ball is turning but still Pant should’ve done a lot better.

After 186 overs,England 567/9 ( Jack Leach 9 , James Anderson 0)

Bumrah to Bess, the batsman plays and misses. After two balls, India decide to take the third new ball and it works for the team. The hard ball comes back in quickly to trap Bess and the umpire raises his finger. Bess doesn’t review it and it’s the right call. James Anderson is the last batsman for England and he survives three balls from Bumrah.

The last time when England won a Test in India at Kolkata in 2012, England captain (Alastair Cook) faced 377 balls in the first innings. 

In this Test also England captain (Joe Root) has faced 377 balls in the first innings.

LBW!

Bumrah traps Bess in front of the wickets and England are nine down. Dom Bess lbw b Bumrah 34(105)

After 185 overs,England 567/8 ( Dom Bess 34 , Jack Leach 9)

Bess is up against Ashwin and he plays a confident shot after dancing down to the track. Ashwin didn’t like that one at all. Remember, Bess was dropped when he was on 19 by Rohit Sharma. A simple chance went down. Now Bess is on 34. Five from the over.

Each batsman from 4-8 scoring 30-plus runs against India in India in a Test innings:

West Indies, Delhi, 1948

Pakistan, Mohali, 2005

England, Chennai, 2021*

After 184 overs,England 562/8 ( Dom Bess 29 , Jack Leach 9)

Bumrah continues. Beats Dom Bess twice, the second one is a good ball. The pacer tries the yorker but the ball drifts down the leg and it’s one leg-bye. Another yorker, or rather low full-toss and Leach comes up with a gutsy block. A bouncer to end the over. No, that’s too high and umpire calls it a wide. Final ball is down the leg.

After 183 overs,England 560/8 ( Dom Bess 29 , Jack Leach 9)

Leach edges it while trying to play it on the on-side but he’s safe and takes a single. After two dots, Bess pushes the ball to the leg-side and manages to take one run. Just two from Ashwin’s over.

After 182 overs,England 558/8 ( Dom Bess 28 , Jack Leach 8)

Jasprit Bumrah into the attack. The second ball is on the yorker length, Leach gets an edge and that saves him. Guess what? It’s another no-ball for India, their 20th of the innings. Bumrah fires another yorker, this time the ball beats the bat but misses the stumps. Leach takes a single and Bess plays out rest of the deliveries.

After 181 overs,England 556/8 ( Dom Bess 28 , Jack Leach 7)

Nice tossed up deliveries from Ashwin coming round the wicket. Leach goes for the drive and takes a single. Bess tries to beat the straight fielder by stepping out but fails to find the gap. Just one from the over.

India conceding 500-plus runs at home consecutive three time against an opposition in Tests:

West Indies (1948-49)
West Indies (1958-59)
England (2012-21)*

Key stats from Day-2:

Joe Root’s 218 runs is now the highest individual score for an England captain in Tests in India. He became the first England batsman to reach a Test double ton with a six.

The double ton at Chennai was Root’s fifth double ton in Tests – the joint second most for England alongside Cook. His 218 is now the highest for a visiting batsman at Chennai in Tests. 

This was the first time that India conceded 500-plus runs in Tests at home since December, 2016. The last time was also against England at Rajkot in November, 2016.

Indians have had a long two days in the field and would be aiming to finish off the England tail as quickly as possible in the first half an hour on Day 3. Also, getting England all-out before they reach 600 would be a target in their heads. They cannot let the tailenders to add runs.

Welcome to Day 3 of the 1st Test. @Paytm #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/pBoWtkCQPx

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 7, 2021

Everybody loves Root

Indian hospitality for @root66 - thank you 🎂🇮🇳

Day 2 Highlights: https://t.co/9G6YJG1Unx #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/5eHk1EzoF2

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 6, 2021

Visitors seize control of first Test after Joe Root’s majestic double century on Day 2

On the second morning, it was Ben Stokes who entered the stage and made it his own with big hitting. He smashed 82 off 118 balls with 10 fours and three sixes and let Root rotate the strike in their 124-run stand.

Worse, England didn’t declare after being well past 500 which was like driving home a point and piling on the misery on an Indian team which has now been shaken up on a track where nothing happened for two days.

Ben Stokes says victory would be perfect to round off Joe Root’s 100th Test

Joe Root is one of the best batsmen in the world, an incredible athlete and above all an inspirational captain, is how England vice-captain Ben Stokes described his skipper on the momentous occasion of his 100th Test match.

On this day! Anil Kumble with an incredible achievement

#OnThisDay in 1999, #TeamIndia spin legend @anilkumble1074 became the first Indian bowler and second overall to scalp all the 10 wickets in a Test innings. 👏👏

Watch that fantastic bowling display 🎥👇 pic.twitter.com/OvanaqP4nU

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 7, 2021

Root third on the list

Our leading Test run scorers 🏏

Rooty keeps climbing the list ⬆️

🇮🇳 #INDvENG 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/tqbcQIVbWr

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 6, 2021

Joe Root engineers resurgence on subcontinental sojourn as ‘Fab Four’ comes alive again

Root debuted in December 2012, which gives him eight completed years as a Test cricketer, from 2013 to 2020. He’s finished with an average above 50 in three of these eight years.