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| Second test, Chennai (day four) |
| India 329 (Rohit 161, Moeen 4-128) & 286 (Ashwin 106, Moeen 4-98) |
| England 134 (Ashwin 5-43) & 164 (Axar 5-60) |
| India won by 317 runs |
| Scorekeeper |
England succumbed to an inevitable 317-run loss to India on the fourth day of Test 2 in Chennai.
Faced with the desperate task of chasing 482 across a deteriorating field, England lost all 10 wickets to turn when they were eliminated by 164 to leave the four-round series set at 1-1.
Only Captain Joe Root provided prolonged stamina, but even he needed a lot of fortune in his 33s, before Moeen Ali risked his arm for 43 on just 18 balls.
Rookie left arm spinner Axar Patel claimed 5-60, while secondary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took 3-53, and match numbers of 8-96, to complete a century in India’s second inning.
After two games in Chennai, the series moves to Ahmedabad, and the third day-night test begins on February 23.
India’s fight leaves the series ready
Halfway through, this series between two test heavyweights lives up to its billing.
After England produced one of their best away performances for wins the first test for 227 races, India has dominated the second, exploiting its experience in dusty and rotating conditions.
While tourists benefited from winning the draw in the first test, India did the same in the second. Even if this match will be remembered by the field, that shouldn’t detract from the fact that the hosts have been far superior.
Between them, Rohit Sharma and Ashwin did more runs than the entire England team. Ashwin and Axar applied more pressure than English spinners Jack Leach and Moeen, while Rishabh Pant achieved as many moments of ground-keeping brilliance as Ben Foakes.
The third lit event, played with the pink ball, will add a different dynamic, and the pace of the bowling perhaps plays a more important role.
In the line of the last two matches will not only be the result of the series, but also a place in the final of the World Test Championship. England, India or Australia can go through to face New Zealand in June.
India sweeps to victory
From 53-3 overnight, England’s only goal on the fourth day was to survive as long as possible on a field that offered a huge and unpredictable spin as well as the occasional bounce.
Dan Lawrence tried to be proactive, rushing on Ashwin’s first ball to be unhinged, with Pant completing a spectacular jump jump.
In contrast, Ben Stokes was almost shot-free, tormented by Ashwin hitting eight of 51 balls before offering a catch with the bat.
While Root survived by offering Mohammed Siraj a single shot at a reverse sweep, Ollie Pope and Foakes were caught making mistakes on conventional sweeps.
Root, however, was unable to do anything about a snort from Axar who took the glove and was caught in a ravine.
With the game over, Moeen fired five mighty sixes and had a chance to be the fastest half-century in test cricket, only to be the last man out, stumped some distance from Kuldeep Yadav.
England went to regroup
This is the first blemish in a winter in which England have won all three of their previous rounds, an overall streak of six straight away wins dating back to December 2019.
Although the defeat in Chennai was reminiscent of their historic struggles in Asia, notably 4-0 on their last tour of India, there is still cause for optimism heading into Ahmedabad.
In the previous pink ball event in India, although in Calcutta, none of the host spinners had a wicket in the win over Bangladesh, the only occasion that has happened in an India home win.
That will be more suitable for England than Chennai’s turn, and the rested James Anderson is likely to return to the side.
England will also have Jonny Bairstow on hand after having rested during the first two tests, and Zak Crawley could also be in shape after a wrist injury. They would provide alternatives to Rory Burns or Lawrence.
Sam Curran and Mark Wood have also rejoined the team, and a decision is expected on which, if any, players will rest for the remainder of the series. Moeen has said that he hopes to return home.
