England need 429 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the 2nd Test match against India to avoid defeat at Chennai.
At the end of the third day’s play, Captain Joe Root and Dan Lawrence stand at the crease with Engalnd at 53/3 and a victory looking very unlikely.
Ravichandran Ashwin starred with the bat for India has he made his fifth test match ton helping India to a total of 286 and a lead of 481 runs.
The day started promisingly for England as Jack Leach picked up the opener Shubman Gill for 14 before Cheteshwar Pujara was run out for 7.
Leach struck once again with the important wicket of Rohit Sharma, who had scored a mammoth 161 in the first innings, for 26 and also removed the dangerous Rishabh Pant just four overs later.
Ajinkya Rahane and Axar Patel were the next two wickets to fall for India both falling victim to Moeen Ali.
The batsmen’s job was made incredibly difficult as the pitch favoured the spinners with the sharp turn and bounce on offer.
India captain Virat Kohli and all-rounder Ashwin formed a vital partnership with Kohli going on to make yet another 50 before his wicket was taken once again but Ali.
Chennai-native Ashwin put on a show in front of his hometown crowd as he made a magnificent century, his fifth in Test matches for India.
.@ashwinravi99 on the ‘sweep’ story and #TeamIndia batting coach Vikram Rathour’s influence on his batting đź’Ąđź‘Ś
Originally tweeted by BCCI (@BCCI) on February 15, 2021.
He was the last wicket to fall as India were all out for 286, leading England by 481 runs with Leach and Ali both taking 4 wickets each.
India’s spinners were looking threatening early on and it only took them until the ninth over to strike as Dom Sibley was caught lbw by Patel.
Ashwin bagged his sixth wicket of the match as he toppled Rory Burns for 25.
Leach was sent out as a nightwatchman but he lasted just one ball falling for a duck.
Root survived an early lbw scare but play closed on day three with England 53 for 3 needing another 429 runs for victory.
India seem the strong favourites to win this match, the second of a four-match series, but can England hold out for draw or produce a miracle and go onto win themselves?
