Feb 25: India vs England 4th Test Day 2: England captain Joe Root scored a brilliant century and Bashir combined to put his team in a commanding position against India on the second day of the fourth Test in Ranchi.
Root remained unbeaten on 122 as England were bowled out for 353 in their first innings, with debutant Akash Deep taking three wickets for India.
In reply, India lost five wickets for 171 runs, with off-spinner Shoaib Bashir claiming four of them. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was the only Indian batsman to offer some resistance, scoring 73 before he was bowled by Bashir.
India still trail by 182 runs and face an uphill task to save the match and the series, which they lead 2-1.
Root and Robinson frustrate India
England resumed the day on 302 for seven, with Root and Ollie Robinson at the crease. The pair added 51 more runs for the eighth wicket, with Robinson reaching his maiden Test fifty.
Root, who had scored a double century in the first Test in Chennai, continued his sublime form and completed his 23rd Test hundred. He hit nine fours and faced 226 balls in his innings.
India finally broke the partnership when Ravindra Jadeja trapped Robinson lbw for 58. Jadeja then dismissed Tom Hartley and James Anderson in quick succession to finish with four wickets.
Akash Deep, who had impressed on the first day with his pace and swing, ended with three wickets on his debut. Mohammed Siraj also took two wickets for India.
Bashir runs through India’s top order
India’s reply got off to a shaky start as they lost captain Rohit Sharma for just two runs, caught behind off Siraj.
Shubman Gill and Jaiswal then steadied the innings with a 64-run stand for the second wicket, before Bashir struck with his off-spin.
Bashir, who had taken six wickets in the third Test in Rajkot, had Gill caught at slip for 38. He then trapped Rajat Patidar lbw for 17 and bowled Jadeja for 12.
Jaiswal, who was playing his second Test, showed some composure and skill as he hit eight fours and a six in his 73. He added 40 runs with Sarfaraz Khan for the fifth wicket, before he became Bashir’s fourth victim.
Bashir, who has 10 wickets in the series so far, bowled Jaiswal with a delivery that turned sharply and hit the off-stump.
Sarfaraz was the last wicket to fall on the day, caught by Root off Hartley for 14. Dhruv Jurel and Kuldeep Yadav were at the crease at stumps, with India facing a huge deficit.
England will hope to wrap up the Indian innings quickly on the third day and push for a series-levelling win. India, on the other hand, will need a miracle to avoid a defeat and retain the Anthony de Mello Trophy.
