The second Test between India and England is poised at thrilling juncture as visitors found themselves at 67/1 while chasing 399-run target after Shubman Gill lit up Visakhapatnam with a splendid century on February 4.
However, R Ashwin gave India an early breakthrough with Ben Duckett's wicket who fell for 28 off 27 as India now need nine wickets to avenge their first Test defeat.
At the close of Day 3's play, Zak Crawly (29 off 50) and Rehan Ahmed (9 off 8) were intact on the crease with England still needing 332 runs to win the match.
Though the target seems far-fetched for England as no team has ever successfully chased down a target of 399 to win a Test match in India. However, this Bazball-inspired England team stands out for their unwavering determination.
At the end of another captivating day in Visakhapatnam, England's top-order batters had already amassed 67 runs from their required total in just 14 overs. They had lost Ben Duckett along the way, but with Rehan Ahmed's elevation into the fabled "night-hawk" role, it signified their commitment to capitalise on every possible scoring opportunity. It also evoked memories of India's experience in Edgbaston 2022, when this same England side effortlessly chased down a target of 378, leaving a lasting impression on their Indian counterparts.
Earlier, England's spinners, Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed, played a crucial role in dismissing India for 255 runs. This left the tourists with the formidable task of chasing a record 399 runs to win the second Test after Shubman Gill's century.
Gill's impressive knock of 104 provided India with a solid foundation, but their innings faced consistent setbacks, especially after pace bowler James Anderson removed the openers in the morning session. The Indian innings eventually concluded in the third session in Visakhapatnam.
Tom Hartley, employing his left-arm spin, claimed four wickets, while Rehan Ahmed managed to dismiss the determined Ravichandran Ashwin for 29 runs to wrap up the innings with his third wicket.
The highest fourth-innings target successfully chased against India was England's 378 at Edgbaston in 2022, while the largest fourth-innings target successfully chased in India was when the hosts reached 387 against England in 2008. Shubman Gill, who scored his third Test century and his first in 12 innings since March 2023, played a pivotal role in rescuing India from a precarious position at 122 for four. He formed two crucial partnerships, including an 89-run stand with Axar Patel.
Gill reached his century with a single off the debutant spinner Shoaib Bashir and acknowledged the applause of the Sunday crowd by raising his bat. However, he was soon dismissed when Bashir had him caught behind, a decision that was initially denied by the umpire but was confirmed by replays showing that the ball grazed the batsman's glove.
Gill had two fortunate escapes early in his innings, surviving two close lbw appeals, one of which was successfully reviewed. Despite these early challenges, he batted fluently with his flicks and drives until his departure.
England continued to make inroads into the Indian lineup as Hartley dismissed Axar lbw for 45 runs, leaving India six wickets down by tea.
In the first session, Shreyas Iyer contributed 29 runs before his dismissal, which came as a result of a remarkable catch by skipper Ben Stokes. Iyer attempted a big shot off Hartley, but Stokes sprinted back from mid-off and executed a sensational diving catch.
James Anderson, in a superb spell of fast bowling during the morning session, shattered Rohit Sharma's stumps with an excellent delivery that moved away from the right-handed batsman. Anderson then secured his 695th Test wicket by getting the left-handed Yashasvi Jaiswal caught at first slip.
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