IND vs ENG: 2nd Test, Day 2 – India on top after England’s wild collapse
India completely dominated England on the second day of the second Test in Chennai. They have now strengthened their grip on the game and seem to be well on their way to level the series. Ravi Ashwin was the star for them as England were bundled out for just 131 runs in response to India’s 329 in the first innings. India ended the day on 54/1 after 18 overs with Rohit Sharma once again looking good in the middle.
Here are the talking points of the day
1. Ravi Ashwin’s five-wicket haul
Ashwin was always going to be tough to handle on the deteriorating Chepauk surface and it is no surprise that he ended picking up five wickets in the first innings. He opened the bowling from the other end after Ishant nipped out Rory Burns and then spun a web around the England batsmen. Ashwin picked up wickets of Sibley, Lawrence, Stokes, Olly Stone and Broad to end with the figures of 5/43 in the first innings.
What a spell from R Ashwin!
He claimed his 29th Test five-wicket haul – the joint-seventh in the all-time list with Glenn McGrath ?#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/7ja9lAqG2L
— ICC (@ICC) February 14, 2021
2. India burning all their reviews
There was so much help for Indian spinners from the surface that almost every delivery it felt as if a wicket would fall. The players were so excited that in the 45.3 overs, India had burnt all their reviews and two of them off Ashwin’s bowling only. India have been under the scanner for quite some time for not using their reviews properly and once again, they were at the receiving end of some criticism. In all the three reviews, the ball was either going down the leg-side or the bounce was more.
3. Pant’s superb catching
What a catch from Rishabh Pant ??
What a player he is ?????? pic.twitter.com/dLt8udqNoH— middle stump (@middlestump4) February 14, 2021
Rishabh Pant is always criticised for not keeping well. But on Sunday, he was at his best doing well keeping for spinners and taking some blinders off the pacers. In the 39th over, when Siraj sprayed one down the leg-side, Ollie Pope tickled the ball with an aim to get a four. But Pant timed his dive exceptionally well to grab a sensational catch. Later in the day when Ishant Sharma induced an edge off Jack Leach and again it was Pant diving superbly to grab a one-handed stunner.
4. Yet another mistake from the third umpire
The third umpire Anil Chaudhary was criticised for his mistake while checking for Ajinkya Rahane’s dismissal on Day 1. England were also given a review back after the blunder and once again, he was under the scanner late on the second day. Rohit Sharma didn’t offer a shot in the 13th over bowled by Moeen Ali and England went for a possible review. But the ground umpire and third umpire presumed that Rohit offered a shot eventually turning down England’s review. Root had a wry smile on his face after the decision was made and the replays proved that Rohit would’ve been dismissed if the umpires had not made a mistake.
