Ravi Ashwin hits sublime century as India close in on series leveller

Ravi Ashwin and Virat Kohli star with the bat as dominant India set England record 482 to win second Test.

England slip to 53-3 at the close of day three as a nightmare Test match for the tourists nears its conclusion.

The picture already looked bleak for England at the start of day three with India 249 runs ahead with nine second innings wickets still in hand, but Joe Root’s men came out fighting in the morning session dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma with just a single run added to the overnight score. Pujara was bizarrely run out in the first over of the day after his bat got stuck in the ground whilst trying to make his ground following some quick reactions from Ollie Pope.

Just a couple of overs later, the impressive Jack Leach had Rohit narrowly stumped after a lightning piece of glove work from birthday boy Ben Foakes. The same combination then earned England their fourth wicket as Leach’s delivery exploded past the advancing Rishabh Pant, whose bails were swiftly removed sensationally by Foakes, reaffirming calls that the Surrey man is the best wicket keeper in the country.

Ben Foakes was highly impressive on his return to the Test side. Credit: ESPNcricinfo

Moeen Ali then got in on the act, removing both Ajinkya Rahane (caught) and Axar Patel (LBW) cheaply, leaving India 106-6, before Kohli and Ashwin saw India through comfortably to the break with a 50-run partnership as the hosts’ lead climbed to an already imposing 351 runs. England certainly fought hard in a desperate scenario, with Foakes’ masterclass behind the stumps certainly one of few positives that can be taken from the second Test in Chennai.

However, that was about as good as it got for England as Kohli and Ashwin dominated the afternoon session, proving that although extremely challenging, the pitch was certainly not impossible to bat on. Following his duck in the first innings, Kohli hit a classy half century that was typical of the Indian skipper to the delight of the Chennai crowd, before being softly removed LBW by Moeen on review for 62 as India’s lead passed 400. Ashwin, who also passed 50, then swiftly took on the lead role with the bat, grinding down an already drained England field with an array of impressive strokes. Moeen quickly removed Kuldeep Yadav LBW with a ball that didn’t turn as India moved on to 221-8 at tea and a lead of 416.

In the final session of the day, Ashwin and India continued to bat on, with a rare sighting of Stuart Broad called upon as England searched for the final two wickets.

Ashwin was showing that he isn’t just one of the world’s best spinners but also incredibly useful with the bat, planting Broad back over his head for four on his way to three figures as the England pace bowler was swiftly removed from the attack. Ishant Sharma fell victim to the sweep shot once more as Leach claimed his fourth wicket, caught well on the boundary by Olly Stone whose fielding was arguably called upon more than his bowling in the 2nd innings.

With just one wicket in hand, Ashwin set about getting his century, clubbing Leach through the leg side for another boundary which moved him into the 80’s. Ashwin was helped on his way by three dropped catches in the field and a rare mistake by Foakes who could not replicate his two superb stumpings in the morning session.

The in-experienced number 11 Mohammed Siraj looked determined to guide his partner through to a century as England immediately took the new ball. The added bounce generated by Leach did little to deter Ashwin as a cut shot for four moved him into the 90’s, before a towering six off Moeen the next over moved the number eight to within one shot from a hugely impressive century.

A fortuitous leading edge brought up Ashwin’s fifth century in Test cricket on his home ground to go along with his five-fer with the ball in the first innings, a feat he has only achieved twice previously. Siraj then hit both Leach and Stone for huge sixes, just moments after Root dropped the number 11 to deny the spinner his fifth wicket.

Eventually, Stone brought the India innings to a close on 286, removing the centurion Ashwin who dragged the ball on to his off stump for a stunning 106, following a 49-run stand for the final wicket.

Jack Leach was the pick of the England bowlers on an otherwise hard day in the field. Credit: ESPNcricinfo

With a record target of 482 highly unlikely, given the highest match-winning fourth innings score in India was 276-5 by West Indies in 1987, and still two full days of cricket to come, for England it was all about taking the game as long as possible and breathing confidence into a top order short of runs. Like Kohli, Rory Burns avoided a pair by guiding Ishant Sharma to the boundary off the very first ball, and was given a lifeline on seven as Pant couldn’t hold on to a thick edge off the bowling of Ashwin.

However, Dom Sibley was soon removed by the left arm spin of Axar Patel for just three, trapped plumb LBW on the back foot playing against the spin, very reminiscent of the opener’s recent troubles in Sri Lanka.

Burns and Dan Lawrence looked to be positive as the pair moved the score along to 49-1, with the latter dispatching Ashwin into the stands for six. With the close of play nearing though, the man-of-the-moment Ashwin found the edge of Burns to Kohli at gully for 25, before nightwatchman Leach was dismissed by Patel first ball as the tourists batting woes against spin continued.

There was still time for an LBW review on Joe Root, with the England skipper rather fortunate to survive on umpire’s call to the bemusement of his opposite number.

Dan Lawrence will be hoping for a big score on day four. Credit: England Cricket

In all honesty, every ball looked like producing a wicket, but Root and Lawrence survived to the close on 53-3, with England requiring an inconceivable 429 further runs to win. England will head into day four hoping to bat as long as possible, with opportunities for Lawrence, Pope and Foakes to impress with the bat. Meanwhile, India will be expecting to wrap things up quickly and level the series ahead of the pink ball Test.

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