Ashwin stars as India thrash England to level Test series 1-1

Published February 16, 2021
Indian skipper Virat Kohli (centre) gestures while talking to his teammates during the second Test against England in Chennai. — Photo courtesy ICC Twitter
Indian skipper Virat Kohli (centre) gestures while talking to his teammates during the second Test against England in Chennai. — Photo courtesy ICC Twitter
England's Ben Stokes in action during the second Test against India on Tuesday. — Photo courtesy
England's Ben Stokes in action during the second Test against India on Tuesday. — Photo courtesy

India beat England by 317 runs in the second Test inside four days to level the series at 1-1 on Tuesday.

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel claimed a five-wicket haul on his Test debut as England were all out for 164 while chasing 482 in Chennai.

Ravichandran Ashwin took eight wickets in the match and hit 106 with the bat as India bounced back from their opening loss in the four-match series.

The third Test — a day-night match — begins on February 24 in Ahmedabad.

Resuming on 53-3, England reached 116 for seven when Kuldeep Yadav sent back Ben Foakes for two and umpires called lunch on day four.

Skipper Joe Root was batting on 33 in England's chase of 482.

Ashwin got Dan Lawrence stumped for 26 on his first delivery of the day with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant acting swiftly behind the stumps.

Root and Ben Stokes put on 24 runs for the fifth wicket but Ashwin had Stokes caught at slip for eight to take his match tally to eight wickets.

Fellow spinner Patel took the wicket of Ollie Pope for 12.

Root survived a reprieve on 32 when he miscued a reverse sweep and Mohammed Siraj dropped an easy chance at backward point off spinner Yadav.

The Chennai-born Ashwin hit 106 on day three in India's second innings score of 286 as they handed England a record chase on a turning track.

Ashwin's five wickets helped bowl out England, who won the first match of the four-Test series, for 134 in response to India's 329.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...