Batters Cash in as India Build Big Lead

India’s batsmen cashed in on the runs, as England’s bowlers toil hard in the field at Dharamsala.

With the hosts 135-1 and trailing by 83 on first innings, the onus was Rohit Sharma and his men to eat into the tourists first innings total.

England needed early wicket to pull themselves back into the contest.

Shubman Gil began the day with positive intent.

Zak Crawley failed to hold onto a sharp chance at Leg Slip from Sharma, when he was on 68.

Gill continued to take the attack to England’s bowlers.

And he reached yet another 50 in 64 balls.

Luck was also not in England’s favour, as outside edges flew through a vacant slip cordon, and down ro the Third Man boundary.

Mark Wood put in a fiery spell.

But the Indian Captain was up for the task.

He also brought up his 100-partnership with Gill.

England’s sloppy fielding cost them, as India reached parity with their first innings score.

And Gill put them into the lead, with a towering six off Shoaib Bashir.

Sharma brought up his 12th Test Hundred in 154 balls.

Gill also brought up his 100 in 137 balls, with a slog sweep to the square leg boundary

India headed into Lunch at 264-1 in total control of the match, but England weren’t giving up just yet, could they mount a fighback?

Gill picked up the pace by charging down the pitch to James Anderson.

England’s Captain had not bowled a single over for 251 days, due to his knee issue, but as things were getting desperate in the middle, it was time to make and impact for the team.

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And he did just that, by removing the opposition’s Captain with a beauty for a well-played 103, at 275-2.

Devdutt Padikkal started his debut innings in a confident mood.

Anderson gave England a double boost, by removing Gill after his exceptional innings of 110 at 279-3.

Meanwhile, Padikkal continued to impress, with some flowing cover drives.

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Stokes put down a tough chance off Sarfaraz Khan on 2.

Paddikal on the other hand began to look comfortable at the crease.

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His confidence grew with every stroke.

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England”s sloppiness in the field began to take it’s toll.

While Padikkal continued to impress on his debut innings.

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Safaraz continued to live dangerously, as his slog sweep flew just over deep mid-wicket.

But he found his timing, with a lofted straight drive off Anderson.

This was followed by a cheeky ramp shot for four off Wood.

Sarfaraz was on fire, and England simply had no idea of where to bowl to him.

The right-hander decided to make full use of the New Ball when it was taken.

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He reached a quickfire 50 in 55 balls.

At the other end, Padikkal was looking in supreme touch.

When India reached Tea 376-3, England were staring down the barrel of conceding a huge first innings lead. Could they pull things back though?

But like the fourth Test, Kuldeep Yadav was amongst the runs with the bat.

Jasprit Bumrah also showed his usefulness with the blade.

He played a sumptuous cover drive of Anderson.

It was as though he was batting like Gordon Greenidge.

India ended Day 2 well on top at 473-8, with a first innings lead of 255. Normally this would be a big enough lead to bowl any side out, but you never know with England and Bazball.

It was a poor day for England in the field. drop catches, mis-fields, you name it.

The only positive to take, was Stokes’s comeback spell, where he picked up the wicket of the Indian Captain.

They will have to swiftly remove the tail, and bat out of their skins too keep this Test alive.

As for the hosts, they will look to try and eke out as many runs, to bat England outof the game.

Find out on World In Sport.