IND v ENG, 4th Test, Day 2 Review: Vijay and Pujara put India in a firm position after England post 400

Despite strikes from spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, England, riding on Jos Buttler’s half-century, continued their good work and ended yet another satisfying session’s play finishing at 385 for 8 at lunch on day two of the fifth Test at the Wankhede Stadium.

The session could have been well in favour of India had they could have managed to get better of wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler who converted his overnight score of 18 to an unbeaten 64. India had successes but could not dominate the opposition. Ashwin picked one wicket that of Ben Stokes and Jadeja snapped two in the form of Adil Rashid and Chris Woakes. However, Buttler’s sturdy knock saw England easily build a commanding total on the scoreboard despite losing wickets at regular intervals.

The pitch has shown signs of assisting turn, although only from one end. The difference in the nature of the wicket was quite visible at the time when Ashwin and Jadeja were bowling in tandem. While Ashwin was getting conventional turn, Jaddu enjoyed assistance from the track and saw the ball kicking from the surface more dangerously as compared to Ashwin’s deliveries.

The first breakthrough for India came shortly after the start of the day’s play when Stokes gave away his to Ashwin to help the off-spinner complete his 23rd five-wicket haul of his career. It was a huge wicket as Stokes in recent times has emerged as a nemesis of some sort for India. The wicket also saw the champion off-spinner re-write a few records. One of them saw Ashwin become the third best Indian in the list of bowlers with most five-wicket hauls in Tests, behind Anil Kumble (35) and Harbhajan Singh (25).

Some overs later, Jadeja grabbed Woakes and Rashid in short succession to raise hope of a bundling out England in the first session. However, India was unable to do so as Jake Ball held his ground and played out the session safely with Buttler.But, the lost lunch session, India needed on 4.5 overs to get Ball (31) and Buttler (76) to restrict England for 400 runs.

India’s response was strong as Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara struck unbeaten knocks to help the hosts finish at 146/1 at stumps. Cook was forced to use as many as 7 bowlers during the last session but success eluded him largely.

KL Rahul, who was on his second return this season, wasn’t able to make this chance count and was the only wicket to fall. Thr right-handed opener added 39 for the opening wicket with Vijay before Moeen Ali bowled a beauty to effect a classical offspinner’s dismissal. The nicely looped delivery lured Rahul to bend forward and defend the ball. He, however, ended up being deceived and was bowled through the gates.

Post his departure, Vijay and Pujara faced no problem in thwarting the opposition. Their unbeaten 107 runs stand for the second wicket has laid a platform for India to play out the third day and build a good lead. England, on the other, must come with a refreshed attitude and try getting the duo in the morning session to get an upper hand in the match. Inability to do so would see them getting a huge score. Given the reputation which Vijaya and Pujara have, there no doubt in having such assumptions.

Brief Scores: 

England: 385/8 ( Keaton Jennings 117; Ravichandran Ashwin 6/112)

India: 146/1 (Murali Vijay 70; Moeen Ali 1/44)