India vs England second Test, day two as it happened: Rohit, Pujara take hosts to 54/1 at close
Follow live updates from day two of the second Test between India and England in Chennai.
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Day 1: On a tough pitch, Rohit Sharma proves how special a player he is
Follow Scroll.in’s full coverage of the England tour here.
With a lead of 249, nine wickets in hand and three days remaining, India hold all the aces. Rohit enjoyed generous luck in this innings, but he’s still there which is big worry for England. He’s got the skills and strokes to play another punishing knock
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 14, 2021
Reality bites, as have India’s spinners. Pant, Ashwin and Foakes outstanding today. Pitch very tricky but worth repeating point made y’day, it has been very tricky from the start. Toss not decisive
— Mike atherton (@Athersmike) February 14, 2021
Ind 54/1 after 18 overs (Rohit Sharma 25, Pujara 7)
15 wickets in the day. England all out for 134. India lost wickets early in the day but they are now ahead by 249 runs. Kohli and Co will be very happy with the position they are in.
Sunil Gavaskar: "If India set a target of 400, England won't be able to chase it even if they bat two more times."#INDvENG
— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) February 14, 2021
Ind 53/1 after 17 overs (Rohit Sharma 24, Pujara 7)
The day is almost done. Maybe one more over to go. England slowing it down.
The ball-tracking shows that the appeal against ‘Rohit’s no-shot offered’ was a good one. It was going on to hit two-thirds of the way up middle...
Ind 53/1 after 15 overs (Rohit Sharma 24, Pujara 7)
Another review. This time by India. Rohit survives as he got an edge onto the ball. He is suddenly looking fidgety.
Thought umpires had seen through the ruse of playing the ball with the pad, with the bat tucked in behind...
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) February 14, 2021
That is Not a shot offered from what little i know of batting : SMG. #gulp
— neeru bhatia (@neerubhatia3) February 14, 2021
Ind 47/1 after 13 overs (Rohit Sharma 22, Pujara 3)
Strange stuff happening in the middle. England review an LBW decision after it looks like Rohit Sharma has offered no shot. But then the umpire says a shot has been offered. The impact was clearly outside off. But ridiculous. Rohit was clearly not offering a shot, the bat was tucked well behind the pads.
Ind 42/1 after 11.2 overs (Rohit Sharma 20)
WICKET! Gill has been trapped LBW by Leach. The review didn’t help. It would have crashed into middle and leg. Shubman Gill lbw b Jack Leach 14(28)
On Day 1 of this Test, we saw defensive strokes bringing about an edge or a miss 22% of the time. Today, that has increased slightly, to 27%. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 14, 2021
Ind 42/0 after 11 overs (Rohit Sharma 20, Shubman Gill 14)
Maybe partly due to the match situation, England have not been able to exert any pressure. 14 wickets today but nothing in India’s second innings.
Ind 37/0 after 9 overs (Rohit Sharma 20, Shubman Gill 12)
Stumping opportunity missed. It turned sharply and Rohit (on 20) was way out of the crease but Foakes couldn’t get it. Big miss this. England needed that. Moeen also needed that.
Ind 36/0 after 8 overs (Rohit Sharma 20, Shubman Gill 12)
One run from the Leach over but Moeen has gone for 15 runs from his 2 overs. India determined to not let his settle.
Rohit Sharma is a ruthless attacking batsmen in home conditions. While outside of India his attacking strokes average 41.06, in India they average 127.87. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 14, 2021
Ind 35/0 after 7 overs (Rohit Sharma 19, Shubman Gill 12)
England have no control over the proceedings at the moment. That is something Root will be acutely aware of. A few wickets would have helped. A few quiet overs too. But they have got neither.
Ind 31/0 after 6 overs (Rohit Sharma 17, Shubman Gill 10)
India are motoring along. Rohit and Gill just looking for runs and England aren’t quite sure of how they want to go about this. At least, it seems that way for now.
Ind 23/0 after 5 overs (Rohit Sharma 13, Shubman Gill 10)
Moeen in the attack and Rohit rocks onto the back foot and hits one through the covers for four. Then, off the last ball, Gill comes down the wicket and smashes that into the stands. India’s openers making their intentions clear.
Ind 12/0 after 4 overs (Rohit Sharma 8, Shubman Gill 4)
Gill goes for the big shot against Leach and once again, doesn’t connect as he would have liked to. Gets two runs.
Ind 10/0 after 3 overs (Rohit Sharma 8, Shubman Gill 2)
Stone goes short to Rohit. And we know what that means. Front-foot pull for six. Typical Rohit. Stunning shot.
Ind 4/0 after 2 overs (Rohit Sharma 2, Shubman Gill 2)
Leach into the attack and just two runs off the over. Gill down the wicket, got a leading edge, avoided the fielders.
What a spell from R Ashwin!
— ICC (@ICC) February 14, 2021
He claimed his 29th Test five-wicket haul – the joint-seventh in the all-time list with Glenn McGrath 👏#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/7ja9lAqG2L
Ind 2/0 after 1 over (Rohit Sharma 2, Shubman Gill 0)
Stone kicks things off for England. Steady over. But we should see spin from the other end.
India’s openers are in the middle now. Here we go. Very interesting to see how they play the England spinners.
First Test at Chennai:
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) February 14, 2021
Joe Root 218 > India's second innings (192)
Second Test at Chennai:
Rohit Sharma 161 > England's first innings (134)#INDvENG #INDvsENG #ENGvIND #ENGvsIND
R Ashwin is the first bowler to take 200 Test wickets of left-handed batsmen.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) February 14, 2021
Bowlers taking the wicket of left-handed batsmen most often in Tests:-
200* - R Ashwin
191 - Muttiah Muralitharan
186 - James Anderson
172 - Glenn McGrath
172 - Shane Warne#INDvAUS
Eng 134 all out after 59.5 overs (Foakes 42)
WICKET! Fifth wicket for Ashwin who comes back to the dressing room with bowling figures of 23.5-4-43-5. Brilliant bowling. England just didn’t have a chance. Ashwin’s 29th five-for in Test cricket. England are 195 runs behind.
Eng 131/9 after 58.5 overs (Foakes 39)
WICKET! Leach edges on to the keeper off Ishant. Pant flew to his left and took a brilliant one-handed catch. Brilliant. Just brilliant. Jack Leach c Pant b Ishant 5(34)
Eng won the last series in SL 2-0, on wickets that turned sharply. And lost tosses in both games. So those complaining about the pitch might want to consider that this might have a teeny bit to do with the quality of batsmanship from Rohit, and the ability of the Indian spinners.
— Srinath (@srinathb) February 14, 2021
Eng 123/8 after 57 overs (Foakes 31, Leach 5)
Foakes and Leach have already put on 17 runs. They bat on even as India wait for another wicket. A little luck needed all the time.
Eng 117/8 after 55 overs (Foakes 29, Leach 5)
Foakes rolls on. Leach will try and stay with him. England are 212 runs behind.
Two batsmen have fallen to premeditated sweeps. One jabbed hard at a ball well in front of pad. One tickled a leg side delivery from a fast bowler to the keeper. One flicked to short midwicket without trying to get to the pitch of the ball.
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) February 14, 2021
But it's the pitch's fault. #INDvENG
Eng 113/8 after 53 overs (Foakes 26, Leach 4)
Leach down the wicket on the last ball and smashes it for four. He’s had enough. Good show of aggression.
Eng 107/8 after 51 overs (Foakes 23, Leach 0)
One run from the Axar over. He continues to keep it tight.
Eng 106/8 after 50 overs (Foakes 23, Leach 0)
Ashwin bowls out the last four balls of his wicket-taking over. No runs.
The final session of the day begins.
#IndvEng
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) February 14, 2021
Good toss to win but India's spinners have been better, way better than England's. So much more control and they look like they know what they are doing.
Everytime I watch England struggle, I am even more happy about what India achieved in Australia last two times.
— Amit (@nottheamit) February 14, 2021
Such a brave wicket to prepare for a Test match IN India when India are down in the series.
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) February 14, 2021
If India had lost the toss, they’d have gone down 2-0.
Very very brave!
Well tossed, @imVkohli 🤣
Enforcing the follow on is almost always not the right thing to do. This isn’t a time when it is the right thing to do either.
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) February 14, 2021
Eng 106/8 after 49.2 overs (Foakes 23)
WICKET! Stone chips that to mid-wicket and Ashwin has his 4th wicket. And it is time for tea as well. Olly Stone c Rohit b Ashwin 1(4)
In the session: 31.2 overs, 67 runs, 4 wickets. over-rate 16. RR 2.14.
Axar Patel has drawn a false shot with 26% of his deliveries in this Test - the most of any bowler. A wonderful performance from the debutant. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 14, 2021
Eng 105/7 after 48.1 overs (Foakes 23)
WICKET! Axar back into the attack and he strikes with his first ball. Brilliant reaction catch by Rahane. The ball came off Pant’s thigh. Moeen Ali c Rahane b Axar 6(30)
DRS with Ash
— Karthik Lakshmanan (@lk_karthik) February 14, 2021
Eng 103/6 after 47 overs (Foakes 22, Moeen 5)
First runs off Siraj. Strayed onto Foakes pads and the right-hander helped it along for a well-struck four. Foakes has an FC average of over 38. 10 first-class centuries and over 30 fifties. He has looked the best of England’s batsmen today.
Eng 98/6 after 46 overs (Foakes 17, Moeen 5)
Another review wasted. Another time that Ashwin coaxed Kohli into taking it. Just what does he tell him? Foakes survived as the ball was going down the leg-side.
Someone needs to tell Pant and Ashwin that the stumps are about 4 inches shorter than they think 😂
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) February 14, 2021
Watching the Cricket from has been an excellent start to this Sunday! 🏏 Makes @ImRo45’s innings yesterday look even better than it obviously was 👌🏽
— Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) February 14, 2021
Worth noting that both Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Siraj got wickets in their respective first overs, as far apart as they were. Hard enough for England facing the spinners but they haven't helped themselves with the wickets of Burns and Pope. #INDvENG
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 14, 2021
Eng 97/6 after 45 overs (Foakes 16, Moeen 5)
Siraj continuing to run in hard and keep things tight. Kuldeep has given away far too many singles from the other end.
On any pitch, a player needs skill to make runs or get wickets. A part of greatness in cricket is conquering conditions.
— Amit (@nottheamit) February 14, 2021
Eng 92/6 after 43 overs (Foakes 16, Moeen 0)
Four leg byes off the final ball of the Siraj over.
Rishabh Pant has been impressive behind the stumps all through this innings. Some fine takes on a tough pitch against quality spin. Seems to have found his hands.#INDvEND
— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) February 14, 2021
Eng 88/6 after 42 overs (Foakes 16, Moeen 0)
Finally, a run has been scored. England have gone into a shell and that can’t be good.
Eng 87/6 after 41 overs (Foakes 15, Moeen 0)
17 deliveries since the last wicket, still no run scored.
Eng 87/6 after 40 overs (Foakes 15, Moeen 0)
No runs scored since the wicket has fallen. What could England be thinking? There is no batting out time on this wicket.
It’s entertaining cricket as things are happening all the time but let’s be honest this Pitch is a shocker .. Not making any excuses as India have been better but this isn’t a Test Match 5 day prepared Pitch ... #INDvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 14, 2021
Some catch that,,,,,#INDvsENG
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) February 14, 2021
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Eng 87/6 after 38.1 overs (Foakes 15)
WICKET! Pope caught down the leg-side by a diving Pant. Brilliant catch. It popped out a little but he managed to hold on. Siraj strikes with his first ball in India. Chants of ‘India, India’ erupt. Ollie Pope c Pant b Siraj 22(57)
Siraj coming into the attack for the first time.
Eng 87/5 after 38 overs (Pope 22, Foakes 15)
Too many singles off Kuldeep.
Eng 82/5 after 37 overs (Pope 19, Foakes 13)
Partnership of 30 between Pope and Foakes. They have taken their time and are slowly coming to terms with the wicket a bit. The ball has gone softer as well.
Pope and Foakes are playing really well here. It’s been far from easy but they have been good in defence and have turned the strike over. The ball has got softer too. #INDvENG
— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) February 14, 2021
India's spinners are yet to bowl a genuine full toss in the innings. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 14, 2021
#INDvENG
— The Field (@thefield_in) February 14, 2021
Virat Kohli having some fun with the Chennai crowd 👌👌
📹: BCCIpic.twitter.com/meYcJMhJjY
Eng 81/5 after 36 overs (Pope 18, Foakes 13)
A bit too full from Kuldeep and Foakes hit it down the wicket. More importantly, didn’t try to over-hit it.
The angle at which Ashwin brought the ball in for the dismissal of Stokes before it turned away was a joy to watch. #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/G8I1K5QuH1
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 14, 2021
Eng 77/5 after 35 overs (Pope 18, Foakes 9)
Maiden over by Axar. He has gone back to not trying too much. Very accurate bowling.
The thing the coaching staff was most impressed with Kuldeep Yadav in the nets during the Australia tour was the way he was going through his action with a lot more body & the pace at which he was bowling. Will be interesting to see how it translates in the middle #IndvEng
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 14, 2021
Eng 77/5 after 34 overs (Pope 18, Foakes 9)
For the first time since January 2019, Kuldeep Yadav is bowling in a Test match. It has been a long, long wait. Just one run off the over.
Kuldeep Yadav into the attack. 34th over of the innings. 29 bowled by the other two spinners so far. #INDvENG
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) February 14, 2021
Eng 76/5 after 33 overs (Pope 17, Foakes 9)
Axar still bowling well but perhaps the batsmen are now getting used to him a little. A change in the bowling attack might help.
Pope and Foakes showing how it needs to be done on this pitch . Foot work has been excellent so far #INDvsENG
— Abhishek jhunjhunwala (@abhijjw) February 14, 2021
Eng 76/5 after 32 overs (Pope 17, Foakes 9)
Lovely straight drive by Foakes for four. Used his feet, got to the ball and paced it well.
Eng 66/5 after 30 overs (Pope 13, Foakes 3)
Another maiden over. Ashwin has now bowled non-stop since the start of the England innings. 15-2-27-3. Will Kohli look at Kuldeep now?
Eng 66/5 after 29 overs (Pope 13, Foakes 3)
India and Kohli burn a review. Going down the leg-side. No one was really sure but Kohli decided to take it anyway. Foakes survives.
India start with a familiar score of 329.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) February 14, 2021
Their last Test win - Scored 329/7 at Brisbane
Their last Test win v ENG - Scored 329 at Nottingham
But the only other time India scored 329 at home, they lost the Test to South Africa by 329 runs (at Kolkata in 1996).#INDvENG
Eng 62/5 after 27 overs (Pope 10, Foakes 2)
England are 267 runs behind. Can they find a way to save this match? Is that even a question worth asking?
Absolute stunner from Ashwin to Stokes. Right pace, drift, dip, turn. And he makes it all look so easy. Off-spin bowling of the highest quality.#INDvENG
— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) February 14, 2021
Eng 59/5 after 25 overs (Pope 8, Foakes 1)
Steady. Steady. Axar keeps doing it right. His combination with Ashwin is causing all types of problems for England, who might struggle to get to 100 here.
ASHWIN. What. A. Gorgeous. Ball. Frame it and hang it in a gallery, please. #INDvENG
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) February 14, 2021
Eng 52/5 after 23.2 overs (Pope 3)
WICKET! First ball of the over was 89 kmph. Second ball was 82 kmph. It gripped. It turned. It beat the bat and disturbed the timber. Stokes is walking back. But what bowling by Ashwin. Lovely. Stokes b Ashwin 18(34)
Eng 52/4 after 23 overs (Stokes 18, Pope 3)
Runs coming in a trickle at the moment. One edge almost flew off the thigh pads to Kohli. The Indian skipper dived but was unable to get to it.
Eng 51/4 after 22 overs (Stokes 17, Pope 3)
What is Stokes going to do? England’s hope rest on his brilliance.
Ben Stokes averages 38 when coming down the track to spinners. In tough conditions, he may back his attacking instincts as the best way to go. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 14, 2021
Eng 49/4 after 21 overs (Stokes 16, Pope 2)
Steady bowling by Axar. He is doing the right thing. Keeping it very tight – on this pitch, the wickets will come.
Eng 48/4 after 20 overs (Stokes 16, Pope 1)
The final ball of the over from Ashwin was a bit too short and Stokes put it away for four. England have to punish the loose balls... just as they did there.
No love from the Indian bowlers today #INDvsENG 🤣🤣 #ValentinesDay
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) February 14, 2021
Eng 42/4 after 19 overs (Stokes 11, Pope 0)
Run scoring will be difficult but England needs to have some strategy. They need to try and attack at least one bowler.
Teams are back on the field for the post-lunch session. 8 wickets in the morning session. What will happen in this one?
Judging by how England are handling a dry pitch here, I think a water crisis could be conjured, up in Ahmedabad, over the coming days, with the areas near Motera receiving little or no water supply. And seeing how passionate the fans are there, they won't complain. #INDvsENG
— Nitin Naik (@toi_nitinnayak) February 14, 2021
If playing sweep shot is the only way to tackle spin on a turning pitch then watch videos of Gavaskar Vishwanath Vengsarkar. Don't remember having seen them play sweep shots.
— Makarand Waingankar (@wmakarand) February 14, 2021
India 29/4 and England 39/4 in that session. Shared? 😅
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 14, 2021
#IndvEng
— The Field (@thefield_in) February 14, 2021
Ind 329. Eng 39/4. Day 2 morning session done.
Rate the Chennai pitch? 10 if you think it is great for Test cricket, 5 if you think turners are fine too, 1 if you think the ICC will rate it poor. pic.twitter.com/cCHXMeETn2
8 wickets in session. India lost bottom 4, England top 4. Gives an idea of how this pitch is deteriorating: bite, turn, inconsistent bounce making life hellish for batsmen. ‘Miracle man’ Stokes still in the middle, but tough for this England innings to last the day I’d say
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 14, 2021
#IndvEng pic.twitter.com/yTsZuxzUPR
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) February 14, 2021
Eng 39/4 after 18 overs (Stokes 8)
WICKET! Ashwin strikes off the last ball before lunch to send back Lawrence. He stopped in his bowling action once and then, Lawrence pushed at it and was caught at short leg. Daniel Lawrence c Shubman Gill b Ashwin 9(52)
Eng 38/3 after 17 overs (Lawrence 9, Stokes 7)
Maiden over for Axar with Pant giving commentary on every ball.
Learn to say NO Virat.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 14, 2021
"Pucca pucca out hai" from Ashwin and his form with DRS continues. 🤣
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 14, 2021
Eng 38/3 after 16 overs (Lawrence 9, Stokes 7)
A reluctant Kohli took a review but the ball was missing. Stokes still there in the middle. Ashwin convinced him there. At some point, Stokes is going to want to go on the attack here.
Eng 35/3 after 15 overs (Lawrence 6, Stokes 7)
Axar and Ashwin are running through their overs in quick times. Can Stokes counter-attack? Will England wait till the ball is softer?
Eng 32/3 after 13 overs (Lawrence 4, Stokes 6)
Even surviving an over seems like a gift. It just does. In every over, there are a couple of ‘catch it’ cries.
Eng 29/3 after 12 overs (Lawrence 4, Stokes 3)
Batting is extremely difficult at the moment. If you are looking for perspective as to why those innings’ by Rohit, Rahane and Pant were so important, this is it.
#UpRooted #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/zCUTqYx9nh
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 14, 2021
Root out for 6. His lowest 1st-innings score of the winter so far. By 180 runs. His second single-figure score in his last 14 Tests (23 inns), the other was when run out for 1 in SL. Tidy scalp for Axar's first Test wicket. Rohit's 161 looking increasingly like a triple hundred.
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) February 14, 2021
That's the first time since 2017 that Joe Root has been dismissed sweeping a SLA bowler. Since that last dismissal, he'd scored 216 runs with the stroke against SLA. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 14, 2021
1️⃣st wicket ➡️ Ishant Sharma
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) February 14, 2021
2️⃣nd wicket ➡️ Ravichandran Ashwin
3️⃣rd wicket ➡️ Axar Patel
Notice something common among the bowlers? 😉
🏴 - 23/3 (10.3)#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/7CqzO4OXnE
Eng 23/3 after 10.3 overs (Lawrence 1)
WICKET! The ball gets stuck in the pitch, explodes, get the top edge and Root’s sweep brings about his demise as well. Caught at short fine leg. Axar gets the big, big wicket and England are in big, big trouble. Root c Ashwin b Axar 6(12)
Eng 21/2 after 10 overs (Lawrence 1, Root 4)
Root will have to bring his sweep into play a lot more. It is a scoring shot and might even force the bowlers to change their length a little.
Eng 19/2 after 9 overs (Lawrence 0, Root 3)
97 kmph first ball from Axar. He will look to fire it in and he is usually very accurate too. Good pace from him and he beats the batsmen with a couple of balls as well.
That's a rare sort of dismissal for Ravichandran Ashwin. In home Tests, before this match, he averaged 48.66 bowling to RHB from round the wicket. Sibley's dismissal is just the 16th Ashwin has from this angle, in India. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 14, 2021
Axar Patel coming into the attack now.
Ashwin in India on a turning pitch the closest cricket gets to binge watching on Netflix.
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) February 14, 2021
“I’ll watch one more over...”
Eng 16/2 after 7.2 overs (Lawrence 0)
WICKET! India get the review right. Sibley went for the sweep, missed the ball but the ball went off the pads into the back of the bat and through to leg slip. Sibley c Kohli b Ashwin 16(25)
Eng 16/1 after 7 overs (Sibley 16, Lawrence 0)
But India also need to put the pitch out of their mind. Sometimes, one can get carried away with a pitch that is doing a lot.
Eng 15/1 after 6 overs (Sibley 15, Lawrence 0)
Lawrence plays out another maiden. He has played 15 balls, yet to get off the mark.
Eng 15/1 after 5 overs (Sibley 15, Lawrence 0)
Sibley doing the right thing. Looking to score. There will be edges. You will be beaten but have to keep looking to score on this wicket. There is no shutting the shop here.
Eng 7/1 after 4 overs (Sibley 7, Lawrence 0)
Maiden over from Ashwin as he looks to find his most effective line.
Eng 7/1 after 3 overs (Sibley 7, Lawrence 0)
Ishant getting good shape into the right-hander. While the focus is on the spinners, he could cause some damage if he gets his line right.
The shoe is on the other foot in this test.. A lot will hinge on how @ECB_cricket bat in the first innings.. While #TeamIndia has not batted out England, they have done enough to call the shots.. #INDvENG
— W V Raman #TheWinningSixer (@wvraman) February 14, 2021
LBW! ☝️
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 14, 2021
England lose Rory Burns as @ImIshant strikes in his first over. 👏👏 @Paytm #INDvENG #TeamIndia
Follow the match 👉 https://t.co/Hr7Zk2kjNC pic.twitter.com/J1ejopGuUm
Eng 1/1 after 2 overs (Sibley 1, Lawrence 0)
Ashwin is on from the other end. And it feels like the right decision. The new ball should help him and the openers have a different challenge from each end.
Eng 0/1 after 0.3 overs (Sibley 0)
WICKET! First delivery Ishant bowls on the stumps, gets him a wicket. Burns missed that completely. Decided to go for a review but it came down to umpire’s call. Worry about spin and the seamers strike first. Rory Burns lbw b Ishant 0(3)
Pujara is not on the field due to the finger injury he sustained while batting. Ishant Sharma to start things off. England’s openers Burns and Sibley are all set. Here we go.
#IndvEng
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) February 14, 2021
So much has been said about how good Root is against spin but how good will he be on this wicket? Then again, Stokes' aggressive intent could be vital on this wicket. Have to keep scoring...
The easy job for England is done. Now the fun begins !!!! India lost it’s last 7 wickets for 81 runs. I’m liking my early prediction although I was 30 runs over for India’s 1st innings (should have been close if the tail hung in with Pant. How many Eng. Remember my guess was 157
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) February 14, 2021
Rishabh Pant can't be pissed at a one other than himself for being left stranded. He took a single off the first ball.
— Clive (@_vanillawallah) February 14, 2021
Highest team totals in Test cricket without an extra run:
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) February 14, 2021
329/10 - INDIA vs ENGLAND, 2021 Chennai
328/10 - Pakistan vs India, 1955 Lahore#INDvENG
This is a good score but India's tail has to be equipped better to hang in. With Rishabh being in the form he is in, India sold themselves at least 20-30 short
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 14, 2021
Ashwin with the new ball again? 🥳 #IndvEng
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 14, 2021
Ind 329 all out after 95.5 overs (Pant 58)
WICKET! England will be pleased with this. They have picked up 4 wickets for 29 runs this morning. Stone gets Siraj and Pant is left stranded on 58. The tailenders just didn’t hang around with him.
Ind 325/9 after 95.3 overs (Pant 58)
WICKET! Stone softened Kuldeep with the short ball and then pitched one up. The batsman edged it through to the keeper. Best one-two punch in cricket. Kuldeep Yadav c Foakes b Olly Stone 0(15)
Olly Stone replaces Moeen Ali from the pavilion end. Pace will be a challenge for Kuldeep.
Ind 324/8 after 95 overs (Pant 57, Kuldeep 0)
Kuldeep Yadav plays out a maiden over. Good going.
Nobody in current cricket hits 6s in the V as frequently and with such nonchalance as Pant
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 14, 2021
Ind 324/8 after 94 overs (Pant 57, Kuldeep 0)
Difficult pitch to bat on but when it is in his zone, Pant goes for it. The pressure is always on the bowler. Moeen got one ball wrong and Pant smashed it for a six.
Ind 318/8 after 93 overs (Pant 51, Kuldeep 0)
Pant doing well to farm the strike now. Just one single to keep the strike. Sensible batting.
Ind 317/8 after 92 overs (Pant 50, Kuldeep 0)
Fours smashed off the first two balls and then a single off the fourth to reach his 6th Test fifty. Pant is on his way. Fourth fifty in four games in India. It has taken him 65 balls.
Ind 308/8 after 91 overs (Pant 41, Kuldeep 0)
Root into the attack. Two left-handers at the crease and that might be the reason. Pant smashes him for a six and he will look to continue doing the same. England will know that every run is crucial.
Two wickets in an over for Moeen, one off a full toss to transfixed Ishant, England get a great start. All eyes on Pant now
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 14, 2021
Ind 301/8 after 89.4 overs (Pant 34)
WICKET! Ishant Sharma gets a top edge off a full toss. Moeen gets another wicket. Two wickets in three balls. Just the start England wanted. Ishant c Rory Burns b Moeen Ali 0(2)
Ben Foakes, who got some deserved love for his wicketkeeping on day one, has the dismissal his glovework deserved. An impressive stumping early on day two. 👌🏽#INDvENG
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 14, 2021
Ind 301/7 after 89.2 overs (Pant 34)
WICKET! England strike early. Moeen Ali strikes early. Lovely delivery. Drew Axar out and the left-hander was then brilliantly stumped by Ben Foakes. Axar st Foakes b Moeen Ali 5(14)
Something Rishabh Pant did whenever he was resuming his innings at the start of every session even in Australia. Get out to the middle and sprint across for a virtual single. Seems to have stuck with it #IndvEng
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 14, 2021
Ind 300/6 after 89 overs (Pant 33, Axar 5)
Leach to start things off on Day 2. It is just Day 2 but you wouldn’t say that after looking at the pitch. Axar plays out the first over carefully.
The players are taking the field now. How will it go? Will England find a few wicket or will we get a dose of Pant madness?
Stat alert: Since 2016, when India have gone past 300 runs in the first innings, their record is 18 wins and two draws.
09.17 am: Most experts reckon that India already have good runs on board. But expect Rishabh Pant to come out and play his shots. If the hosts can get to 400, England will be in a tough spot.
Day 1 review: Rohit Sharma on Saturday paid tribute to the returning crowd after his masterful century guided India to 300 for six on day one of the second Test against England.
Sharma, welcomed with chants of “Rohit! Rohit!”, hit 161 and put on a key fourth-wicket partnership of 162 with Ajinkya Rahane after India – down 1-0 in the four-match series – elected to bat first in Chennai.
Rishabh Pant, on 33, and Axar Patel, on five, were batting at the close of play after England’s bowlers took three wickets in the final session.
Spinners Jack Leach and Moeen Ali claimed two wickets each on a pitch that offered turn even on day one.
Ali bowled skipper Virat Kohli for nought to put India in trouble at 86-3, stunning the raucous 15,000-strong home crowd – present for the first time since the pandemic – into silence.
But Sharma’s knock restored the exuberant mood of cheering fans, all of whom backed the home team except for a brave half dozen Barmy Army soldiers.
“It was great fun to have them at the ground. I mean it is something that livens up the whole atmosphere of the stadium,” Sharma told reporters.
“When there was no one at the ground in the first Test, the intensity was slightly low from both the teams... I am happy that they witnessed some good cricket today.” (AFP)
8.50 am: Hello and welcome to live coverage of day two of the second Test between India and England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.