England need nine wickets after they set India the task of 420 runs as the hosts ended day four of the first test on 39-1, as Jack Leach removed Rohit Sharma late on while Ishant Sharma claimed his 300th test wicket.
Leach and Jimmy Anderson’s two wickets apiece wrapped up India’s first innings on 337 before Rory Burns was caught by Ajinkya Rahane off the first ball from Ravichandran Ashwin before lunch.
Ashwin went on to dismiss Dom Sibley later on, while Ishant picked up his 300th test wicket, trapping Dan Lawrence lbw.
Runs for @root66 as we look to extend our lead, but we have lost early wickets.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 8, 2021
Scorecard: https://t.co/wADC59fTK5#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/rtTxv61CLL
Jasprit Bumrah caught out captain Joe Root in the same manner after he topped the innings for England again, after scoring a quick 40 runs from 32 balls.
The visitors, rather than declaring, soon fizzled and finished all out for 178 after Ashwin recorded his 28th five-wicket haul throughout England’s 46 overs, finishing on 6-61.
This left India with the tally of 420 runs to chase and about 13 overs left for the day.
A beauty from @jackleach1991 🌰
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 8, 2021
Scorecard: https://t.co/kNB0swv6FW#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/yJtj9nbTt7
Rohit scored 12 runs, including a six and a four, before being bowled clean by Leach as Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara reached the close unbeaten on 15 and 12, leaving the hosts with 381 to chase on day five.
England are still in control of the test but face the challenge of taking nine wickets tomorrow.
While the highest chase ever done in India was against England in Chennai back in 2008, the next highest is 276.
