Third Test, day two as it happened: Spinners day out as Kohli and Co register 10-wicket win
Follow live updates from day two of the third Test between India and England at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Read: More than cricket – Why did Narendra Modi dismiss Sardar Patel at Motera stadium?
Day 1: Axar’s brilliance exposes amateurish England’s stubborn unwillingness to learn
Follow Scroll.in’s full coverage of the England tour here.
First innings: England – 112/10, India – 145/10
Second innings: England 81/10
8.30 pm: That will be all from us for the live blog, but there is plenty more to come on Scroll.in. Reactions, analysis, quotes and more. We will try and keep you occupied for the next three days, given the Test match is over under two.
This is India’s quickest victory in Test cricket in terms of balls bowled 🔥
— ICC (@ICC) February 25, 2021
They have finished the match in 842 deliveries!#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/1Uxr7uPGv0
Player of the match: Three five-fors in first four innings for Axar Patel! “It looks easy only things are happening in your favour,” he says in an understated manner. What a start to his Test career though.
Virat Kohli: Joe Root finishes his interview saying if he gets a five-for, it gives an idea about the pitch. But just below par batting from both teams, says Virat Kohli at the very start of his interview. “Just a bizarre game,” he adds. Interesting comments from both captains. “The result went our way. But I don’t think the quality of batting was up to standard by both teams. Very good pitch to bat on in the first innings,” he says.
Joe Root interview: Says that the first innings is where perhaps the match was lost when England were 70-odd for two wickets and then 112 all out from there. Credits the bowling unit for India and adds that the ball skidding at pace made it harder. About his five-for,
Make this happen @BCCI https://t.co/k9kfQa5krn
— Lavanya L Narayanan (🏡) (@lav_narayanan) February 25, 2021
It was an interesting interview from Ashwin to the broadcasters.
And @ashwinravi99 as honest and candid as ever, admitting that he might not even have got into the playing XI in Australia if @imjadeja had been fit at the start of the Test series #INDvENG
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 25, 2021
8.07 pm: This is the SHORTEST TEST in post-war era in terms of balls bowled when there has been a result. What a stat that is.
Shortest Tests in post-war era ending in a result (balls)
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) February 25, 2021
842 Ind v Eng Ahmedabad 2020/21 *
872 Aus v NZ Wellington 1945/46
883 Eng v SA Centurion 1999/00 +
893 Aus v Pak Sharjah 2002/03
* winner denoted first
+ two innings forfeited #INDvENG
• Shortest Test match in post-war cricket.
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 25, 2021
• England's first two-day Test match since 2000
• Seventh shortest Test match in history.
India take a 2-1 win series lead pic.twitter.com/F0Bps4Ljls
WTC FINAL UPDATE: This defeat simplifies the World Test Championship Final scenarios (that’s not a word we have associated with the WTC). England are out of the contention for final. India will play New Zealand if the next Test is a win or draw for them. Australia depend on an England win.
India top the table 👏
— ICC (@ICC) February 25, 2021
They now need to win or draw the last Test to book a place in the #WTC21 final 👀#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/FQcBTw6dj6
DONE IN NO TIME: After two Pink-Ball Test matches in India, we still have not had five days worth of action.
Two day-night Tests played in India so far with less than five full days of cricket in total.
— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) February 25, 2021
Against Bangladesh (Kolkata, 2019): India's pacers picked 20 wickets.
Against England (Ahmedabad, 2021): India's spinners picked 19 wickets.#INDvENG
Shortest completed Tests in India - by balls:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 25, 2021
842 : India v England, Ahmedabad, 2021*
968 : India v Bangladesh, Kolkata, 2019
1028 : India v Afghanistan, Bangalore, 2018#INDvENG
ROHIT SHARMA FINISHES IT OFF IN STYLE: 4, 4, and a six over midwicket. That is some way to end the game, India win by 10 wickets and *checks notes* more than three days to spare.
After 7.2 overs India 43/0: The runs continue to flow for India. Two boundaries at the start of Root’s over. All but done here.
Form, 36 all out: Temporary
— El Chopernos (@El_Chopernos) February 25, 2021
Class, 81 all out: Permanent#INDvsENG https://t.co/tpBPdmaFCl
It’s well-known that Rohit Sharma is arguably India’s most destructive white-ball batsman on a flat wicket. He’s proving this series that he might be India’s most adept Test batsman technically speaking on a challenging pitch at home #INDvENG
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 25, 2021
REVIEW LOST: Gill comes down the track and offers his pad, Root goes for the review because why not. The ball bounced over the stumps and the impact was 3m down the crease so the umpire’s call would have stood.
After 5 overs, India 32/0 (Rohit 10, Gill 13): A four down the ground for Rohit Sharma as he uses the feet well againt Leach. Almost another boundary, but great save at point by Anderson.
Indian openers chasing this target like #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/Gw59rYXIYa
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 25, 2021
After 4 overs, India 28/0 (Rohit 6, Gill 13): Another ball turns so much that even Ben Foakes can’t collect it. Four byes. Followed by a six down the ground for Gill. Almost as if Root is a part-time spinner or something.
It'll take Root work to bowl with the pink, new ball.#IndvEng
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 25, 2021
After 3 overs, India 17/0 (Rohit 6, Gill 7): India get a boundary off the first ball of the session. They might not take 49 mins to get the score like Gavaskar predicted. Leach drops it slightly short and Gill hits a superb punch through mid-wicket for four. 6 runs in that over.
Right then, here we go. The players are out in the middle... Leach and Root vs Gill and Rohit.
Fewest runs scored vs India in a Test (while losing all 20 wickets):
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) February 25, 2021
193 England (Ahmedabad, 2021)*
212 Afghanistan (B'luru, 2019)
230 England (Leeds 1986)
241 New Zealand (Auckland 1968)#INDvENG #INDvsENG #ENGvIND #ENGvsIND
In case you missed it:
More than cricket: Why did Narendra Modi dismiss Sardar Patel at Motera stadium?
Correction, India faced two overs before the end of second session.
7.15 pm: In all the madness, do not forget that this will be a factually accurate line in a match report: India did not lose a wicket in the second session on day two of the third Test.
(India faced one over in the 2nd session, for the record).
Test cricket needs balance, whether that swings slightly towards the bat or ball, it should always offer a semblance of balance. #INDvEND
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) February 25, 2021
7.11 pm: Remember that time when Zak Crawley was playing those stunning drives after England won the toss? Feels just like yesterday. Meanwhile, here’s the moment Ashwin got to his 400th.
Into the 400-wicket club in Test cricket and quicker than any other Indian. A moment @ashwinravi99 won't forget. (Not that he forgets much!) #INDvENG
— The Field (@thefield_in) February 25, 2021
🎥 BCCI pic.twitter.com/cCpbCIE3Jn
7.10 pm: Sunil Gavaskar is not pleased with the technique shown by the batsmen on this wicket.
#INDvENG
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) February 25, 2021
Gavaskar: When the ball is turning, you have to try and get to the pitch of the ball. And it is not just the England batsmen, the Indian batsmen are also stuck in the crease.
Pitch this pitch that. It’s okay boss. Occasionally bowlers will have undue advantage. Batsmen have undue advantage in two other formats. Enjoy this extreme. It’s riveting.
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) February 25, 2021
I don't ever remember being slightly nervous about a 49 run target. Not even in school cricket.
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) February 25, 2021
The seamers are licking their lips, though. #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/TJQBqcIrde
— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) February 25, 2021
DINNER on day two!
India added six more runs to their tally in that Root over – a single each for Rohit and Shubman along with four byes. India are 11/0 and they need 38 more runs to win.
After 1 over, IND are 5/0 (Rohit Sharma 5, Shubman Gill 0)
Five runs for India from that Leach over. Rohit first picks two as Anderson misfields at point, before flicking a full-toss through mid-wicket for three. Superb effort from Archer at the rope to stop the boundary. India need 44 to win as Root takes the new ball from the other end.
6.46 pm: And the players are back on the field for what is likely to be one over (two at best) before the dinner break. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are at the crease, Jack Leach has the ball. India need 49 to win.
India need to score 49 runs to win the match and we are still not sure of the result. What does that tell you...
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) February 25, 2021
Remember that time when Zak Crawley was playing those stunning drives after England won the toss? Feels just like yesterday.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 25, 2021
Oh wait. #INDvENG
England's lowest Test scores in India (all out):
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 25, 2021
81 (Ahmedabad, 2021)
102 (Mumbai, 1981)
112 (Ahmedabad 2021)
134 (Chennai, 2021)
England's highest all out score in India was the 578 they made in the first innings of this series.#INDvENG
A big congratulations to the spin maestro @ashwinravi99 on achieving a stellar milestone of 400 Test wickets. Way to go. #INDvENG #Pinkballtest
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) February 25, 2021
Big congratulations Ash on your 400 test wickets. Next destination 500 @ashwinravi99
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 25, 2021
400 Test wickets in 77 matches 👏 @ashwinravi99 what a bowler #INDvsENG
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) February 25, 2021
Congratulations for 400 test wickets @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/Zimfmji8Z2
— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) February 25, 2021
Entertaining .. YES .. but this is a awful pitch for Test cricket .. !!!! Complete lottery on day 2 !! #INDvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 25, 2021
Spin Twins @akshar2026 @ashwinravi99 👏👏👏 #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/InIzovc4Kt
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 25, 2021
What odds would you have given for Ishant to bowl 5 overs in all in his 100th test match. Bumrah managed to get 6!
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) February 25, 2021
Axar Patel and R Ashwin run through England’s line-up to set India a target of 49 to win ✨#INDvENG ➡️ https://t.co/0unCGUOHmI pic.twitter.com/43pxZ9rz9C
— ICC (@ICC) February 25, 2021
ENGLAND ARE ALL-OUT FOR 81!
India need 49 runs to win! Washington Sundar finally gets to bowl and it takes him just four balls to dismiss James Anderson. Another top catch from Rishabh Pant. Well, what a second session this has been! This is England’s lowest ever total against India in a Test match. Ashwin got to 400 Test wickets (the second-fastest ever) and Axar finished with an 11-for in the match.
After 29.4 overs, ENG are 80/9 – Jack Leach is gone!
WICKET! Ashwin gets his fourth as Leach attempts an expansive drive and edges it to Rahane, who takes a sharp catch. England lead by 47 runs. Worth noting that India have used only two bowlers in this innings.
Into the 400-wicket club in Test cricket and quicker than any other Indian. A moment @ashwinravi99 won't forget. (Not that he forgets much!) #INDvENG
— The Field (@thefield_in) February 25, 2021
🎥 BCCI pic.twitter.com/cCpbCIE3Jn
After 28.2 overs, ENG are 80/8 – Ben Foakes is gone!
WICKET! Axar Patel has another five-for! He becomes the first bowler to bag 11 wickets in a day-night Test. Ben Foakes misses the arm ball and is out LBW for 8 off 28. England have now lost all their reviews too.
Ashwin's Test career:
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 25, 2021
For 50 wickets: Joint 8th-fastest (9 Tests)
100: 6th fastest (18 Tests)
150: Joint 5th-fastest (29 Tests)
200: 3rd fastest (37 Tests)
250: Fastest (45 Tests)
300: Fastest (54 Tests)
350: Joint-fastest (66 Tests)
400: 2nd fastest (77 Tests)
100 lead please would be interesting 🏏
— Ryan Sidebottom 💙 (@RyanSidebottom) February 25, 2021
Well done @ashwinravi99 on reaching 400 wickets .Phenomenal! Congratulations on a fantastic achievement. Great going, keep it up! 👍🏽
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) February 25, 2021
Magnificent milestone for the spin wizard @ashwinravi99 Congratulations Ash on 400 Test Wickets. Keep ‘em coming. #INDvENG @StarSportsIndia pic.twitter.com/jFfa5hyzfV
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 25, 2021
Last three Indian bowlers with a 10-wicket haul against England in Tests:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 25, 2021
Axar Patel
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravichandran Ashwin
Imagine these three players playing together at home in Tests.#INDvENG
Terrific consistency!
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 25, 2021
Well done, keep it up @ashwinravi99.
Joy to watch you bowl. #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/CEBkoUQVlR
Who’d have thought Ravichandran Ashwin would beat Nathan Lyon to 400 Test wickets? He started the Australia-India series on 365 to Lyon’s 390. Lyon will be stuck on 399 for quite some time. #INDvENG
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) February 25, 2021
After 25 overs, ENG are 75/7 (Ben Foakes 6, Jack Leach 6)
SIX! Just the second maximum of the match and it has come from Leach’s bat. The left-hander steps down to Axar and thumps it straight back. Valuable runs for England, they lead by 42.
#INDvENG #PinkBallTest
— The Field (@thefield_in) February 25, 2021
Test wicket No. 400 for @ashwinravi99! It has taken him 77 Tests. The 2nd fastest all-time to reach that landmark, behind only Muttiah Muralitharan. https://t.co/Gvtj0EFiT8 pic.twitter.com/Vgelur8GyL
Archer for his 400th. My god, Win.
— Prithi Ashwin (@prithinarayanan) February 25, 2021
Ravichandran ‘Reliable’ Ashwin 🥳🥳 #400 Take a bow 🙇♂️
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 25, 2021
400 Test wickets for Ashwin. A modern giant.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) February 25, 2021
What a journey for @ashwinravi99. 2nd quickest to get there. We are in the midst of greatness
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 25, 2021
Ravichandran Ashwin:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 25, 2021
- Third fastest to 100 Test wickets
- Third fastest to 200 Test wickets
- Fastest to 300 Test wickets
- Second fastest to 400 Test wickets #INDvENG
400 wickets for Ashwin. The best spinner of this era.
— Clive (@_vanillawallah) February 25, 2021
Fastest to 400 Test wickets:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 25, 2021
72 Tests : Muttiah Muralitharan
77 Tests : Ravichandran Ashwin*
80 Tests : Richard Hadlee, Dale Steyn#INDvENG
R Ashwin - 400 wickets in 78 tests. Second fastest ever. EVER!
— Indranil Das Blah (@indranildasblah) February 25, 2021
I hope he’s remembered as one of the best to have ever played the game.
Being underrated is so underrated nowadays. Give the man his due. Legend.
Great cricketer @ashwinravi99 !! #400
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 25, 2021
After 23.2 overs, ENG are 68/7 – Jofra Archer is gone!
WICKET! 400 TEST WICKETS FOR R ASHWIN! What a moment for the legendary off-spinner. He becomes the second-fastest to 400 Test wickets (77 matches) after the great Muttiah Muralitharan. Jofra Archer attempts a sweep but is out LBW as England lose a review too. His teammates congratulate him as the crowd chants “Ashwin... Ashwion”. What a moment!
Important point to note: R Ashwin is on 399 Test wickets now!
That is an absolute worldie from Ashwin. Ooooofffffff
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) February 25, 2021
Ashwin to Pope. Round the wicket in the first innings. Over the wicket in the second. Both beat the outside edge. Both clip off stump. Beauties
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) February 25, 2021
After 22 overs, ENG are 66/6 – Ollie Pope is gone!
WICKET! Ashwin has knocked back Pope’s off stump, again! Around the wicket, over the wicket... it doesn’t matter. The right-hander didn’t have much of a clue again and Ashwin is delighted. He has had to work hard for his two wickets so far this innings. England lead by 33 runs.
One of the many weird things about today is that Ashwin has looked the least dangerous of the four spinners on show.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) February 25, 2021
That Axar straighter ball: kiss of death
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) February 25, 2021
Think 4 day Test matches is a stupid idea! 🤪
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 25, 2021
#INDvENG #PinkBallTest
— The Field (@thefield_in) February 25, 2021
Axar Patel's first Test: First 5- wicket haul in an innings.
Axar Patel's second Test: First 10-wicket haul in a match.
What a start to his Test career!https://t.co/Gvtj0EFiT8 pic.twitter.com/2WfPZAyrWJ
Since 2015, 57 players have played 5+ innings v India, in India: only Steve Smith, Dinesh Chandimal, Haseeb Hameed, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Joe Root have averaged over 40. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 25, 2021
After 18.5 overs, ENG are 56/5 – Joe Root is gone!
WICKET! AXAR PATEL HAS A TEN-FOR! What an absolutely sensational performance this has been by the left-arm spinner in just his second Test (after he got a five-for in his first Test). That too in front of his home crowd! This time he gets the big wicket of Joe Root as the England captain fails to pick the arm ball and is caught in front. Root is out LBW for 19 off 45.
Batsmen dismissed most times by Ashwin in Tests
Batsman | Mat | Dis | bwd | c fie | c wk | st | lbw | Mat/Dis | Ave |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BA Stokes (ENG) | 11 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1.00 | 21.72 |
DA Warner (AUS) | 15 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1.50 | 33.10 |
AN Cook (ENG) | 15 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1.66 | 39.88 |
JM Anderson (ENG) | 15 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2.14 | 3.42 |
EJM Cowan (AUS) | 7 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1.00 | 41.85 |
SPD Smith (AUS) | 12 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2.00 | 44.33 |
MA Starc (AUS) | 10 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.66 | 29.66 |
DM Bravo (WI) | 9 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.50 | 18.50 |
D Elgar (SA) | 9 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.50 | 24.16 |
MN Samuels (WI) | 9 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.50 | 41.16 |
Batsmen dismissed by Ashwin most times in Tests:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 25, 2021
11 : Ben Stokes*
10 : David Warner
9 : Alastair Cook#INDvENG
Pressure on the batsman, on the bowler, on the third umpire....
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 25, 2021
Am I surprised Stokes didn’t ask for a review? Yes I am. He was the big threat to India with an attacking hame that could break stranglehold of spinners. Worth the gamble
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 25, 2021
After 17.2 overs, ENG are 50/4 – Ben Stokes is gone!
WICKET! Ashwin has dismissed Stokes for the 11th time! This time India get the LBW as Stokes decides not to review. India wanted this wicket as Stokes was starting to look dangerous, but the left-hander walks back for 25 off 34.
#IndvEng
— The Field (@thefield_in) February 25, 2021
What total will India be comfortable chasing in the fourth innings?
So benefit of doubt to the batsman whether he hit it and benefit of doubt to umpire re: lbw tracking?
— Static_357 (@Static_a357) February 25, 2021
All of us during that review ⬇️#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/VmV3vMZQMh
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) February 25, 2021
Thought Root said he didn’t hit it before referral.
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) February 25, 2021
Also thought mid-off angle showed pad first.
Huuuuuge call that. #IndvEng
Not conclusive enough evidence to overturn? Or benefit of doubt to batsman? Was that the right amount of time taken to arrive at the decision? I am so confused.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 25, 2021
This is also a very likely scenario. https://t.co/iFDLJjvJbU
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) February 25, 2021
Good decision by the third umpire: a tiny inside edge. Could see a small deflection.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) February 25, 2021
#IndvEng
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) February 25, 2021
Pad-bat-pad?
or Bat-pad?
or both together?
And was the evidence conclusive enough to overrule?
After 15 overs, ENG are 46/3 (Joe Root 16, Ben Stokes 23)
Root survives! That was so, so, so close! The umpire raised his finger for LBW and DRS was taken. The third-umpire then took many, many looks as the bat, ball and pad were all so close to each other during impact. But there was plenty of doubt and the third-umpire decided to overturn the decision and say not-out.
After 14 overs, ENG are 44/3 (Joe Root 14, Ben Stokes 23)
Big over for England, ten runs from it! Back-to-back fours for Stokes as he continues to attack. Ashwin has figures of 0/31 from seven overs at the moment. England lead by 11 runs.
After 13 overs, ENG are 34/3 (Joe Root 14, Ben Stokes 13)
England get a one-run lead as Axar Patel continues to get sharp turn. India would want to put an end ti this partnership soon.
After 12 overs, ENG are 32/3 (Joe Root 13, Ben Stokes 12)
Stokes survives! The left-hander first plays a hard sweep to get four through mid-wicket. But he attempts the same shot again off the next ball and gets a top edge. Luckily for him, Axar doesn’t sight the ball properly and is late to react as the ball lands just behind him.
That really was a superb catch by Rishabh Pant to dismiss Dom Sibley. Was unsighted by the slog sweep, puff of dust, moving the other direction and then took it with the edge of his gloves#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/Pq3LIcIVqv
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 25, 2021
After 10 overs, ENG are 24/3 (Joe Root 12, Ben Stokes 5)
Stokes has come out swinging! A couple of swings and misses for the left-hander already. He gets an edge off Ashwin too that falls just short of Kohli at second slip.
No cricketing cliche has been more thoroughly debunked by DRS than the idea that a batsman always knows when they have hit it.
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) February 25, 2021
Sibley’s ungainly, unnecessary hoick at Axar suggest England have a death wish
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 25, 2021
AXXXXXXXXXXXXAR ! 💃
— Prithi Ashwin (@prithinarayanan) February 25, 2021
That Pant take!
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) February 25, 2021
After 8.3 overs, ENG are 19/3 – Dom Sibley is gone!
WICKET! Axar has his third! Sibley attempts a slog sweep out of nowhere and gets a faint edge which Pant accepts. Top decision from the umpire as England lose a review too. Sibley walks back for 7 off 25 as Ben Stokes joins Root at the crease. England trail by 14 runs.
W, 0, W! 👌👌@akshar2026 narrowly misses out on a hat-trick but what a start this has been for the local boy! 👍👍@Paytm #INDvENG #TeamIndia #PinkBallTest
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 25, 2021
Follow the match 👉 https://t.co/9HjQB6TZyX pic.twitter.com/00HrgvVyzv
After 8 overs, ENG are 19/2 (Dom Sibley 7, Joe Root 12)
Ashwin drops it short and Root pushes it to the vacant cover region for two. The last ball of the over jumps a bit and Root just about fends it off.
After 7 overs, ENG are 17/2 (Dom Sibley 7, Joe Root 10)
Just a single for Root from that Axar over. The left-arm spinner is varying his pace and flight but the two right-handers are keeping a close eye.
After 6 overs, ENG are 16/2 (Dom Sibley 7, Joe Root 9)
Three singles from that Ashwin over. The English batsmen are doing well to remain busy at the crease. They’re using the crease well to make the spinners mix their length up.
After 4 overs, ENG are 10/2 (Dom Sibley 5, Joe Root 5)
Sibley survives! He was struck in front by Ashwin and the umpire said not-out, but Kohli took the DRS and it showed the ball going over. India lose a review.
India has invented a new pitch, where you can't bat because your mind is too suspicious of it. The wicket itself is fine.
— Pradeep Magazine (@pradeepmagazine) February 25, 2021
After 3 overs, ENG are 6/2 (Dom Sibley 2, Joe Root 4)
Another good over from Axar, beats Root with sharp turn off the last ball. England trail by 27 runs and are in desperate need of a partnership.
I wonder what newbies to Test cricket are thinking right now? #INDvENG
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) February 25, 2021
England’s spin specialist No.3 being given lbw off two of the three balls of spin he’s faced this Test and bowled by the other one is really quite something#INDvENG
— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) February 25, 2021
Seven ducks by England's top 3 batsmen in this series. Only once before have England had 7 or more ducks by top 3 in a series - 8, in the 1903-04 Ashes.
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) February 25, 2021
The ball hitting the bat is an event. Best
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) February 25, 2021
This might be the most bonkers morning’s cricket ever.
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) February 25, 2021
Spinners taking a wicket off the first ball of the innings in Tests:
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) February 25, 2021
Last 100 years, before this series - Zero
This #INDvsENG series - Two, Ashwin & Axar
After 0.3 overs, ENG are 0/2 – Jonny Bairstow is gone!
WICKET! AXAR PATEL HAS TWO WICKETS IN THREE BALLS! This is absolute madness! Jonny Bairstow survived off the first ball after attempting a wild sweep, getting struck in front and the umpire raising his finger. He took DRS then and the replay showed the ball going over the stumps. But the very next ball saw him attempt a forward defense and get clean bowled. He played for the turn but the ball went straight. Again! There was a huge gap between bat and pad. Bairstow gets a pair in the match as India get a dream start with the ball.
After 0.1 overs, ENG are 0/1 – Zak Crawley is gone!
WICKET! Axar has struck with his first ball! Crawley is clean bowled! What in the world is happening?! The right-hander went back, the ball spun sharply, the outside edge was beaten, and the stumps were rattled.
4.30 pm: We’re ready for the start of England’s second innings. No surprise that India are starting with spin, Axar Patel has the ball in hand.
5WIs by England captains away from home:
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@SachinAzharCT) (@ovshake42) February 25, 2021
(LOOK AT THE YEARS!)
5-8 Joe Root today
5-19 C Aubrey Smith, Port Elizabeth 1888/89
5-36 Gubby Allen, Brisbane 1936/37
5-46 Johnny Douglas, Melbourne 1911/12
5-49 Freddie Brown, Melbourne 1950/51
5-66 Bob Willis, Brisbane 1982/83
#IndvEng
— The Field (@thefield_in) February 25, 2021
India just got up-Rooted!
Joe Root
6.2 overs
3 maidens
8 runs
5 wickets pic.twitter.com/Mfow1nFlhR
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Tricky situation for Australian cricket fans, this. Their chances of appearing in the World Test Championship final improve if England win this game.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) February 25, 2021
5 - Joe Root claimed figures of 5/8; the fewest runs conceded in a Test five-wicket haul for England since 1924 (AER Gilligan's 6/7 v SA). Impact. #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/LUefgKIngn
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) February 25, 2021
Cheapest 5-wicket hauls by captains in Tests:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 25, 2021
6/7 : Arthur Gilligan v SA, Birmingham, 1924
5/8 : Joe Root v India, Ahmedabad, 2021*
6/18 : Courtney Walsh v NZ, Wellington, 1995#INDvENG
Incredible session. Still can’t believe what happened. England well and truly back in the game. #INDvENG @StarSportsIndia
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 25, 2021
What's your spread on England total runs (second innings)?
— Oliver Brett (@Oliver___Brett) February 25, 2021
I reckon 95-105
5 for Rooty .. #INDvENG game on.. well doesn't seem like England are a spinner short anymore
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) February 25, 2021
India's last two innings against the pink ball: 181-20#INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 25, 2021
5 - Joe Root has just taken 5 wickets in a first-class innings for the first time. Leadership. #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/lRT15uwzNT
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) February 25, 2021
Josh Hazlewood v India in the Pink Ball Test
— ESPNcricinfo stats (@ESPNcric_stats) February 25, 2021
5 overs, 3 maidens, 8 runs and 5 wickets
Joe Root v India in the Pink Ball Test
6.3 overs, 3 maidens , 8 runs and 5 wickets#ENGvIND
Here’s a thought for the second innings. Crawley opens with Archer, Broad at 3 & say tee off (not recklessly) but aggressive. Crawley bats as he did so beautifully in the first innings, then..
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) February 25, 2021
4. Bairstow
5. Root
6. Stokes
7. Pope
8. Sibley
9. Foakes
10. Leech
11. Anderson
4.12 pm: Tea has been taken early because of the innings break. A session to remember for Joe Root and England. It’s game on in Ahmedabad!
INDIA ALL-OUT FOR 145
Joe Root has a five-wicket haul! Sensational spell of off-spin bowling from the England captain. Jasprit Bumrah is the last man to be dismissed as he is trapped in front attempting a wild slog. India started the day at 99/3 but suffered a dramatic collapse. The hosts lead by 33 runs at the halfway stage of the match.
How about opening with Bairstow?? #IndvEng
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 25, 2021
After 53 overs, IND are 144/9 (Ishant Sharma 9, Jasprit Bumrah 1)
Bumrah survives! The umpire raised his finger for LBW but DRS was taken immediately and it showed a big inside edge. Maiden over from Leach. The last pair For India has added 10 runs so far.
Ishant Sharma's first six in international cricket. In his 100th Test. From his 2677th ball (2465th in Tests.)
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) February 25, 2021
Very surprised that India weren’t super aggressive this morning. Seemed like the mindset and attitude was to be patient and just bat - lacked intent ! 50+ run lead India become favourites. Worth Archer steaming in for an over or two I reckon. Nose and toes !!!!!!!!
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) February 25, 2021
The 26 balls that Joe Root took to take his four wickets is the shortest time - in balls bowled - for an England spinner to take four since Graeme Swann took 25 balls, v SL in May 2011. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 25, 2021
After 50.1 overs, IND are 141/9 (Ishant Sharma 7, Jasprit Bumrah 0)
SIX! First maximum of the match and it comes from Ishant’s bat! Leach tossed it up and Ishant lifted it straight back.
#IndvEng pic.twitter.com/lzFFCRHp1n
— Patrick Noone (@patnoonecricket) February 25, 2021
Joe Root, destroyer in chief as bowler, who would have thought!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 25, 2021
After 49.2 overs, IND are 134/9 – R Ashwin is gone!
WICKET! Root has his fourth! Ashwin attempts a slog sweep but gets a top edge to the fielder in the deep. He walks back for 17 off 32. India lead by 22 runs as Bumrah joins Ishant at the crease. India have lost six wickets for 35 runs today.
#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/HYktUNgTam
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 25, 2021
Root’s bowling average is now a full six runs lower than his batting average. Botham’s was only five.
— daniel norcross (@norcrosscricket) February 25, 2021
After 48 overs, IND are 131/8 (R Ashwin 16, Ishant Sharma 0)
Top batting from Ashwin. Sweeps one hard for four before picking a single off the last ball to keep strike. Five runs from that Root over. India lead by 19.
Joe Root's bowling so far.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 25, 2021
W 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
W 0 W 0 0 0
Fittingly, wow. #INDvENG
#IndvEng
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) February 25, 2021
India will have to bat fourth on this wicket... pic.twitter.com/hBTJT4MhTc
This could genuinely be over today.
— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) February 25, 2021
And Indian batsmen. 😉 https://t.co/bCEwEfrNE6
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 25, 2021
Starting to think England lost out on their best off spinner in a generation by making Root do all that batting.
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) February 25, 2021
98-2 to 125-8! In 13 overs. This game is galloping.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 25, 2021
Joe uprooting Indian innings
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 25, 2021
After 45.3 overs, IND are 125/8 – Axar Patel is gone!
WICKET! WHAT IS HAPPENING?! Axar Patel decides to be aggressive but hits is straight to short cover. Joe Root has picked three wickets without conceding a single run! Stunning scenes in Motera at the moment. There is pin drop silence in the biggest cricket stadium of the world.
After 45.1 overs, IND are 125/7 – Washington Sundar is gone!
WICKET! Washington is out for a 12-ball duck! An absolute peach from Joe Root to get his second wicket. It drifted in and spun sharply, beating the outside edge to knock back the off-stump. The perfect off-spinner’s dismissal of a left-hander. India are in trouble!
After 45 overs, IND are 125/6 (R Ashwin 10, Washington Sundar 0)
Four! Another good shot from Ashwin against Leach. He rocks back and cuts it between the fielders to pick up his second boundary. The right-hander is looking confident at the crease.
Zak Crawley 53. Rest 59.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 25, 2021
Rohit 66. Rest thus far 55.
Ingredients for a 3-day Test. #IndvEng
After 44 overs, IND are 121/6 (R Ashwin 6, Washington Sundar 0)
Maiden over from Root to Washington. The England captain has found good rhythm and is asking some tough questions with his off-spin.
After 43 overs, IND are 121/6 (R Ashwin 6, Washington Sundar 0)
Four! Ashwin seems to have come out with the same mindset he had in his last innings when he got a century. He steps out to Leach and lifts it over mid-on against the spin. Every run matters at this point.
Well well well .... #INDvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 25, 2021
Virat Kohli, if he wasn't already, I would guess is livid with himself for getting out in the last over yesterday. Gave England a foot in the door, instead of making the most of batting conditions on day two morning. Root's men back in this match in no time. #INDvENG
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 25, 2021
Was... was 112 par?#bbccricket
— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) February 25, 2021
Rohit Sharma - 66 runs
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) February 25, 2021
All others in top-6 - 46 runs #INDvsENG
India would have liked a lead of 100-150. But every wicket takes away massive runs from that aim.
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) February 25, 2021
Right now, 50-run lead will be their aim. Bonkers session for England this. #INDvENG
After 41.1 overs, IND are 117/6 – Rishabh Pant is gone!
WICKET! This is turning into a nightmarish start to the day for India. Now Joe Root has struck with his first ball of the match. Rishabh Pant pokes at it and gets a faint edge, Ben Foakes makes no mistake. India lead by five runs with four wickets remaining. R Ashwin and Washington Sundar are now at the crease.
Jack Leech has dismissed Rohit Sharma in each of his last four Test innings.#INDvENG
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 25, 2021
After 40.1 overs, IND are 115/5 – Rohit Sharma is gone!
WICKET! Leach gets Rohit too! This is turning into a dream start for England on day two. India have lost two wickets to poor shots in this session. Now Rohit attempts a premeditated sweep and is out LBW for 66 off 96. He took DRS but that didn’t save him. India need to be careful here.
#INDvENG
— The Field (@thefield_in) February 25, 2021
Rohit Sharma is the big easy. pic.twitter.com/ul50JzLeql
Ajinkya Rahane average in home Tests, last two years:
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 25, 2021
v Pace - 106.00
v Spin - 28.25#INDvENG
#IndvEng
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) February 25, 2021
This is the stand -- if England can get Rohit and Pant early, they will be back in it. If they can't, the match will get away from them quickly. These two batsmen aren't going to just hang around.
Got to love the way Leach is going about his business. Purposeful at all times and relentless. If only he had a few more runs to work with ... #INDvENG
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) February 25, 2021
Time for Root to give himself a bowl...
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) February 25, 2021
After 38.2 overs, IND are 114/4 – Ajinkya Rahane is gone!
WICKET! Leach gets Rahane! The right-hander attempted a square-cut to a straight ball and got caught plumb in front. Poor shot selection. Rahane walks back for 7 off 25 as Rishabh Pant joins Rohit at the crease.
Good to see Jack Leach showing what he is capable of after a tough year. He is getting better & visibly more confident the more he bowls - first over & he is beating the bat. Even with a low total, I’d like to see England back him a bit more in the field. #bbccricket @bbctms
— Tattz (@JonTattz) February 25, 2021
After 38 overs, IND are 114/3 (Rohit Sharma 66, Ajinkya Rahane 7)
A bit of a mix-up between Rohit and Rahane as the former set off for a second run without looking. No harm done, though. Anderson is hardly getting any movement at the moment.
After 37 overs, IND are 113/3 (Rohit Sharma 66, Ajinkya Rahane 6)
India take the lead! Rahane plays a courageous, fine sweep and gets four. Leach struggled to get his field right in that over.
In home Tests against pace bowling, Rohit Sharma currently averages 102.71. #INDvENG
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) February 25, 2021
After 36 overs, IND are 108/3 (Rohit Sharma 66, Ajinkya Rahane 1)
Rohit is up and running! Two glorious shots for four from the right-hander. Anderson pitches them short and wide, Rohit stands tall and punches them through cover-point.
After 35 overs, IND are 100/3 (Rohit Sharma 58, Ajinkya Rahane 1)
Just a single for Rohit in that over from Leach. Rahane struggled a bit – got an inside edge and was beaten by sharp turn and bounce as he looked at pulling one. Tentative start for India’s vice-captain.
After 34 overs, IND are 99/3 (Rohit Sharma 57, Ajinkya Rahane 1)
Maiden over to start off. Not much bounce for Anderson first up but he keeps a tight line and Rahane keeps a close eye.
2.30 pm: The players are out on the field and we’re ready for play! The first hour will be crucial. England will be in deep trouble if they don’t get wickets early on. Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma are at the crease, James Anderson has the ball in hand. Here we go!
2.27 pm: A total of 13 wickets fell on day one, with Virat Kohli being the 13th to be dismissed, minutes before the close of play, while India finished 13 runs behind England’s first innings score.
I am settling in for a Rohit Sharma special...
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 25, 2021
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) February 25, 2021
Hello from Ahmedabad ☀️
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 25, 2021
We are Day 2️⃣ ready 💪🏻 #TeamIndia #INDvENG #PinkBallTest @Paytm pic.twitter.com/esHRzYYnIV
2.17 pm: England captain Joe Root wasn’t impressed by the umpiring on day one. Read:
Root asks for consistency in umpire calls after tough start to day-night Test
2.02 pm: As we build up to day two in Ahmedabad, here’s a look at Prithvi Shaw and Mumbai’s historic performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy today:
Prithvi Shaw smashes 227, Suryakumar Yadav hits 58-ball 133 in Mumbai’s 457/4 against Pondicherry
1.54 pm: One of the biggest talking points on day one was the renaming of the stadium in Motera from Sardar Patel Stadium to Narendra Modi Stadium. Here are some reactions to it:
There won’t be any press conferences: Twitter laughs as Motera ground is renamed after Narendra Modi
Dreams do come true 🇮🇳 #grateful @GCAMotera @BCCI pic.twitter.com/WQ1PEO23TC
— Akshar Patel (@akshar2026) February 24, 2021
Words are too less to express my emotions right now!!
— Ishant Sharma (@ImIshant) February 24, 2021
Thank you @rashtrapatibhvn Ji, @AmitShah Ji, @PratimaSinghBB, my teammates & you all for making this an honourable & special moment for me!
Thanks for showering me with all the love & support always!!
Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 🙏 pic.twitter.com/YsQhijfoEg
1.40 pm: Hello and welcome to live updates from day two of the third Test between India and England at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.
England won the toss and elected to bat first on Wednesday but India rode on a six-wicket haul from Axar Patel to bowl-out the visitors for just 112 runs. In reply, India lost captain Virat Kohli in the last over of the day and got to stumps at 99/3, with Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease.