4.30pm That is that on day two, and India already have a lead of nearly 250. As many as 15 wickets fell on day two, which was headlined by Ashwin’s second successive five-wicket haul at Chepauk. Axar and Ishant were among the wickets too as India rolled over England for 134. Gill was then pinned lbw by Leach, but Rohit built on the advantage he’d given India on the opening day. With plenty of time left in the Test, India will look to bat on and on and let the pitch deteriorate further before they could have another crack at England. Many thanks for tuning in. Expecting your company tomorrow as well. Until then, goodbye and cheers.
Ben Foakes speaks to the host broadcaster: Yeah, it was extremely difficult [to bat] against a high-quality spin outfit and the pitch was playing tricks. I just tried to play within my limits and try to play the ball late. I think some balls are taking the top of the surface and I was trying to stick to my game plan. I think we just have to apply ourselves in the second innings and it’s not going to be any easier. Balls are going to spit past us and keep low, we have to stick to our game plan. Jos is back with his family, and pretty chuffed to get going. Just trying to get myself back and it’s a pretty difficult pitch to keep on. I think with the lack of game-time I’ve had, I tried to get back into match-situations and all those basics [working with Chris Read]. I think the wicket has plenty, if we bowl well we have a good chance of bowling them out. It’s so dry and spitting so much and the odd ball shoots low as well. All in all, a very difficult pitch to bat on.
Geoff: “Terrible decision to drop Anderson & Bess . Well played Ben Foakes. Well played India”
KaFi: “A lead of 250 is probably already enough. Every run scored tomorrow is a bonus, although I don’t see India declaring at any point tomorrow”
Alan Hardy: “Right. England have lost this. Who should they pick for the next day-night Test? Bairstow, good player of spin, for Lawrence, rather than Crawley, who isn’t. Anderson for Broad. And Woakes maybe for Stokes, who can’t bowl for some reason. England need to bowl India out, and Woakes has one of the best averages of the quicks. plus he can bat well.”
Meanwhile, there’s a thriller unfolding in Dhaka. Bangladesh need 19 runs to win; West Indies need one wicket. Follow it live here.
Mustafa Moudi: “Am I the only one who is finding the BAN vs WI Test more interesting at the moment ??”
Leach to Pujara, no run, looped up on off stump, Pujara stretches out to smother it
