It was a tough situation for India to come into the 2nd Test after losing the first one by a huge margin. The team looked like they had no answers for the bowling charge led by Anderson and Root’s brilliance. Come 2nd Test and the pressure was on the home side.
It’s been a while since India had asked for a rank-turner and Chepauk was all set to witness some spinning action right from Day 1. To add more positivity to the Indian campaign, the crowd was back to the stadium after a while.
Going by the conditions, India went in with more spinners, handling the debut to Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav was picked for the first time in months.
India batted first and the pitch provided unbelievable right from day 1. Rohit Sharma, who read the conditions well, had a flawless performance to score a brilliant 161. He was supported by the vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane who had 67 to his name and Pant played entertaining innings where he scored a beautiful fifty to take the team to 300.
In return, England had no answers for the Indian spinners, the attack led by the local boy Ashwin. The all-rounder went on to grab yet another five-wicket haul and England were rattled for just 134. One had to give it up for Ben Foakes, who came in for Buttler, scored a fighting 42* and helped the team to avoid the follow-on.
India then began the attack with Rohit and Shubman going for runs right from ball one. India, however, had a poor start to Day 3 where they went on to lose five quick wickets. When one thought that England had things under control, skipper Kohli and Ashwin turned the tides. Kohli made a good half-century while Ashwin batted as if he was playing on a different track, scored a ton.
India then got out for 286, and England had a mammoth target to chase with more than 150 overs in their hand.
The team, however, had a poor run against the Indian spinners once again. This time, the attack was led by the debutant Axar Patel who ended up with five wickets. Ashwin had three and Kuldeep had two. For England, Root tried his best to save the match but when he got out, it was Moeen Ali’s show where the all-rounder made 43 from 18 deliveries. However, it wasn’t enough as England went down by 317 runs.
Now, both the teams will have to win their remaining matches and if both the teams go for a draw, Australia will qualify for the Final of the Test Championships.
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