India Ends Day 2 at 219/7, Trails by 134 Runs against England in Ranchi

Sat, 24 Feb 2024 12:06:19 GMT

England’s spin pair of Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley wreaked havoc on India during the second day of the fourth Test in Ranchi, combining to claim six crucial wickets. Despite England’s earlier dismissal for 353 in their first innings, they maintained pressure by consistently taking wickets, despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s resilient batting for India.

The day began positively for England, as Ollie Robinson aggressively accumulated boundaries, catching India off guard. He partnered effectively with overnight centurion Joe Root, extending their partnership to over 100 runs. Robinson reached a milestone, scoring his maiden fifty in Test cricket, before falling to Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery.

Jadeja continued to dismantle England’s lower order, with Bashir also chipping in with vital breakthroughs. Despite Root’s impressive unbeaten 122, England’s total seemed competitive, especially considering their precarious position at 112/5 on day one. India suffered an early setback when Rohit Sharma departed cheaply, nicking one behind off James Anderson.

Spin Twins Turn the Tide: Bashir and Hartley’s Dominance

While Jaiswal showcased promising form, England’s bowlers maintained pressure, dismissing key Indian batsmen at regular intervals. Bashir’s pivotal wickets in the second session, including Shubman Gill and Jadeja, put India under immense pressure. Although Jaiswal fought valiantly, his dismissal for 73 further dented India’s hopes of a strong reply.

With half the side back in the pavilion and a significant deficit to overcome, India relied on their lower order to stage a comeback. However, England capitalized on their advantage, with Hartley accounting for crucial wickets, including Sarfaraz Khan and R Ashwin. Despite a resilient stand from Kuldeep Yadav and Dhruv Jurel, India faces an uphill task to close the gap on the third day.

In summary, England’s spin duo, supported by disciplined bowling and strategic partnerships, dominated proceedings, placing India in a challenging position as they trail by 134 runs with three wickets in hand.