On Day 4 of the opening Test against England for the Anthony de Mello Trophy, India managed to finish on a good note, at the MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium in Chennai on Monday. At stumps, India lost just a wicket, although it would need 381 more to win the tie on the final day, on Tuesday.
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Earlier, England had won the toss and elected to bat, as it posted a mammoth total of 578, courtesy skipper Joe Root's prolific innings of 218. India was going right on Day 3, while Rishabh Pant played an admiring knock of 91.
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As India resumed on Day 4 at the overnight score of 2576, the pair of Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin was going reasonable. In the meantime, Sundar brought up his second Test half-century.
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However, at 305, Ashwin fell for 31 off spinner, Jack Leach, after being caught behind by Jos Buttler. Just seven runs later, Shahbaaz Nadeem followed him for an unfortunate duck off Leach again, as the former edged it to Ben Stokes at the slips.
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The incoming batsmen failed to get going, as Ishant Sharma (4) and Jasprit Bumrah (0) were wiped out by seamer, James Anderson. While England secured a lead by 241, it refused to enforce the follow-on.
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As for the English bowlers, six bowlers were utilised. Nevertheless, Bess has found the most success, striking on four occasions, piling pressure on the Indians.
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Meanwhile, as England came out to bat in the second innings, opener Rory Burns was dismissed off the first ball for an unfortunate duck, as Ashwin compelled him to edge to vice-captain, Ajinkya Rahane, at the slips. As the lunch break kicked in, England managed to post just a run after a couple of overs.
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Resuming at the post-lunch session, Sibley and Lawrence contributed 32 more, before the former fell for 16 to Ashwin, after being caught by Cheteshwar Pujara at short fine leg. 26 runs later, Lawrence departed as well for 18, after being trapped leg-before by the pacer, Ishant.
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As all-rounder Ben Stokes joined Joe Root on the crease, things were expected to get intense for England. However, at 71, the former fell for mere seven, after edging it to Pant off Ashwin.
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Thirty runs later, it was Root, trapped leg-before by the pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, for 40. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler stayed in control by the tea break, as the lead was extended to 360.
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The post-tea session saw Pope and Buttler resume at 1195. However, 19 runs later, the former fell for 28 off Nadeem, after edging it to Rohit Sharma.
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Although Buttler looked to continue, along with Jofra Archer, the former fell for 24 to Nadeem, after being stumped at 165. A couple of runs later, Bess was trapped leg-before for 25 to Ashwin.
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The incoming batsmen were dismissed in quick successions, with Ashwin getting rid of Archer (5) and James Anderson (0), as England set a target of 420. Five bowlers were utilised by the Indians, with Ashwin being the most effective, claiming a six-for.
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As India came out to bat, senior opener, Rohit Sharma was looking good, along with young opener, Shubman Gill. However, with just 25 runs on the board, Rohit was bowled up by Jack Leach for mere 12.
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It was then Cheteshar Pujara, who join Gill, as the two batted out until the end of day's play. Nonetheless, it is still 381 runs behind, with the pitch expected to turn on the final day, on Tuesday.
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Meanwhile, England has used four bowlers, with Leach being the only one to get success. Veteran seamer, James Anderson has been the most economical one so far.Brief scores: England 578 & 178 (Root 40; Ashwin 661) leads India 337 & 391 (Gill 15*; Leach 121) 381 runs.
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