India vs England 2021 2nd Test Day 3: Talking points as Ravichandran Ashwin’s ton at home ground puts India in commanding position

India vs England 2021 2nd Test Day 3: Talking points as Ravichandran Ashwin’s ton at home ground puts India in commanding position
Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin celebrating his hundred

The Day 3 of the second Test in Chennai between the two sides kicked off with India’s second innings when Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara walked the pitch with 54/1 (18) on the scoreboard.

England spinners rose to the occasion in the first session when they scalped five Indian wickets till lunchtime.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin took the situation under India’s control during the second session.

Thereafter, Ravi Ashwin’s dominance continued till the last where Team India were bowled for 286 at the end of their second innings.

As Day 3 of the ongoing second Test ended with England 53/3 (19) and 429 runs to chase, we look at the talking points from the day’s play.

India’s early fiasco

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Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper) dismissing Rohit Sharma

A trail of wickets fell in the first session as English spinners– Moeen Ali and Jack Leach outplayed five Indian batsmen. The loss was heavy as Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Ajinkya Rahane and Axar Patel departed at regular intervals.

Kohli-Ashwin Partnership

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Virat Kohli (left) and Ravichandran Ashwin (right)

Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Ravi Ashwin sailed India through when the wave looked to favour the England side. The two acclimatized and knit a massive 96-run stand between them before Indian skipper Virat Kohli departed on 62 runs.

Chennai Boy- Ravichandran Ashwin shines

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Ravichandran Ashwin

Well, it was Ravichandran Ashwin’s day as he played a defining knock to be remembered for ages. Amid the turmoil that had hit the Indian batting, Ravi Ashwin tackled the upheaval first with Virat Kohli and then alone, primarily. The star allrounder played riveting innings and smashed 106 runs. His knock included fourteen fours and one six. In yesterday’s play, he took a fifer with the ball.

India’s heist

Axar Patel
Axar Patel while bowling

No sooner England openers walked the pitch for their second innings during the last session of the day, Indian spinners dominated once again. While Axar Patel took two wickets, Ravi Ashwin toppled one wicket of Rory Burns.

Also read: India vs England 2021: “Last time I played the sweep shot was when I was 19” – Ravichandran Ashwin opens up after his century on day 3