In the ongoing fourth Test match between India and England, spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showcased an outstanding performance by taking five wickets, limiting England to a total of 145 runs in their second innings.
As a result, India now needs to chase a target of 192 runs to secure their third consecutive win and clinch the five-Test series.
At the end of the day, India reached a score of 40-0. Opener Zak Crawley was the top-scorer for England, contributing 60 runs. The combined effort of Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav, who took four wickets, played a pivotal role in dismantling England’s batting lineup.
India’s bowlers executed their plans effectively after wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel displayed resilience in the morning session, scoring a crucial 90 runs to reduce the host’s deficit. The partnership of Jurel and Yadav added 76 runs for the eighth wicket.
In the bowling department, Ashwin, a seasoned spinner, made effective use of the new ball on a pitch with cracks and variable bounce. He claimed consecutive wickets by dismissing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope early in the innings, reducing England to 19-2.
England’s captain Joe Root, who scored an unbeaten 122 in the first innings, tried to anchor the innings by adding 46 runs with Crawley. However, Ashwin’s brilliance came to the fore when he successfully reviewed an LBW appeal against Root, leading to his dismissal.
Crawley, despite reaching his fifty, fell victim to Yadav’s sharp left-arm wrist spin. Yadav further contributed to England’s struggle by removing the experienced Ben Stokes just before tea.
The momentum continued in India’s favor as Jonny Bairstow fell early in the post-tea session, and the remaining wickets followed suit. England’s innings concluded with Ben Foakes being dismissed for 17 runs off Ashwin.
In their first innings, England spinner Shoaib Bashir achieved his first Test five-wicket haul, helping bowl out India for 307 and giving England a lead of 46 runs.
As the Test match progresses, all eyes are on India’s pursuit of the 192-run target on the final day, while England’s bowlers aim to level the series and force a decisive fifth Test in Dharamsala. The stage is set for an intriguing conclusion to this closely contested Test series between India and England.