IND vs ENG: 2nd Test, Day 3 – R Ashwin’s century propels India towards a mammoth win

India are only seven wickets away from securing a win in the second Test against England in Chennai. Ravi Ashwin smacked a brilliant ton in the second innings to propel the hosts for 286 runs even as Virat Kohli also scored 62 runs. India set a target of 482 runs to win for England who were reduced to 53/3 in the second innings by stumps. Here are the talking points of the day:

 1. Ashwin’s century

Ashwin came out to bat when India were reeling at 106/6 and Virat Kohli was fighting from the other end. The off-spinner, at first, played his shots to force England to set defensive fields and then concentrated on stretching India’s lead. Once Kohli got out, Ashwin made sure that he farmed more strike and frustrated the opposition. His last-wicket stand with Siraj earned the team a crucial 49 runs and in the process, he also got to his fifth Test ton and first against England.

Crowd favourite ?

R Ashwin’s first Test century at his home ground!#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/Fpa2XPOfEC

— ICC (@ICC) February 15, 2021

His batting delighted the Chepauk crowd and the fact that his family was in the stands to witness the knock, made this century even more special for Ashwin. He eventually got out for 106 runs and was the last wicket to fall.

2. India losing quick wickets in the first session

India had lost only one wicket at the end of Day 2 but they didn’t start Day 3 on a good note as they lost Cheteshwar Pujara in a bizarre manner. Soon Jack Leach got Rohit stumped while Rishabh Pant lost his patience to lose his wicket. India were soon reduced to 65/4. Moeen Ali got the better of Ajinkya Rahane and Axar Patel in the next half hour as the hosts were in a spot of bother at 106/6 despite Kohli looking solid at the other end. Many felt India will be bundled out soon as the pitch was doing a lot but Ashwin had other ideas.

3. Ben Foakes’ impeccable wicket-keeping skills

Ben Foakes appreciation tweet pic.twitter.com/B5SxxYH8LX

— Cricket’s great moments (@PitchedInLine) February 15, 2021

Though England isn’t in a great position in the second Test in Chennai, Ben Foakes is at the receiving end of a lot of praise for his brilliant wicketkeeping. He affected a couple of superb stumpings and was also class apart for the entire second innings when the ball spinning a long way out of the rough. Even in the first innings, England didn’t concede a single bye (they didn’t concede a single extra) and despite Foakes keeping for the first time in India, he did a very good job.