India in a fight for survival

Most Test matches in the sub-continent, especially when the pitches are good, start of as slow burners before exploding on the final two days. The opening Test between India and England, after an attritional opening two days and an exciting ‘moving day’, has sprang to life with the hosts now locked in a desperate battle of survival.

When the fourth day started, India, at 257/6 and miles behind England's 578, knew they had a gargantuan task ahead of them. They had to bat out at least two sessions to present themselves with a chance of salvaging a draw. But on a MA Chidambaram pitch that is slowly changing character — the odd ball keeping low and many turning sharply — they had a fight in their hands.

Overnight pair of Washington Sundar (85, 138b, 12x4, 2x6) and R Ashwin (31, 91b, 3x4, 1x6), bred at the same venue, were up for the challenge. In fact, they started confidently against spinners Dom Bess and Jack Leach, Sundar playing some gorgeous drives and Ashwin using his feet brilliantly to offset the duo.

Sundar, who started his age group cricket as a top-order batsman, continued to showcase what an undervalued batsman he is. Essaying rasping straight drives, easy on the eye shots through the cover, the cuts, the left-hander just oozed class. With Ashwin mentoring him nicely, he was elegance personified.

Sundar and Ashwin’s attacking approach forced England skipper Joe Root to take the new ball in the immediacy of availability. The brand new red cherry instantly offered some help for the English bowlers but Sundar and Ashwin nicely countered them. It looked like they would carry India to safety when Leach got one to bounce extra that ended Ashwin’s stay and the 80-run association. England got the opening they wanted and they pounced upon it, cleaning up the India tail quickly just minutes before lunch to take a commanding 241-run lead.

England now had the chance to tighten the noose firmly on India. A quickfire session would not only set India a strong total but even give themselves enough time to bowl India out. India were aware of this ploy and they chose to attack as well, hoping to wrap up the England innings quickly and set themselves a target they can chase.

Ashwin (6/61) handed England a blow with the very first ball, scalping Rory Burns. England continued to attack and that saw them lose wickets at regular intervals. They, however, were well ahead of the eight ball. Suddenly, at 130/6 after losing Ollie Pope, they chose to shut shop. From almost going at 5 runs per over, it dipped to less than 3 and that played nicely into India’s hand. They were happy at England’s approach as that would mean less time to bat and save the game.

After a period of lull, England started to show urgency. They went in search of quick runs and while they got it, they also lost wickets before being folded up for 178, setting India a massive target of 420.

India openers Rohit Sharma and Shubham Gill, like in the first innings, looked confident from the outset. A few balls misbehaved but they had no trouble in negotiating them. Rohit, elegant as ever, looked in a mood as he pulled Archer for a four and a six in a single over. Leach, who went for plenty in the first innings, produced a brilliant ball to dismiss Rohit. India took stumps at 39/1 and they now have reproduce the Australia heroics to save this game.