India v England: Ravichandran Ashwin inspires comeback with five wickets as tourists falter
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Updated 25/02/2024 at 13:55 GMT
Ravichandran Ashwin took five wickets which included a golden duck to dismiss Ollie Pope as India made up ground on England during the third day of the fourth Test in Ranchi. England controlled the Test on day two after a fine display with the ball but faltered on Sunday as India sparked a fightback. You can watch all of the action from the fourth Test live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Ravichandran Ashwin of India celebrates dismissing Ollie Pope of England during day three of the 4th Test Match between India and England at JSCA International Stadium Complex on February 25, 2024 in Ranchi, India.
Image credit: Getty Images
India need another 152 runs for victory following Ravichandran Ashwin's inspiring performance with the ball on day three of the fourth Test in Ranchi.
The 37-year-old claimed a five-wicket haul as India bowled England out for 145 in their second innings, which included a golden duck to dismiss Ollie Pope as Ashwin took two wickets in as many balls.
India required 192 heading into their second innings to win the series, and Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma started well with 40 runs in eight overs.
Following Shoaib Bashir’s sparkling display which included a four-wicket haul on Saturday, England went into day three in control of the fourth Test.
Dhruv Jurel and Kuldeep Yadav picked up where they left off with India on 219-7 at the beginning of the day, with England leading by 134 runs.
The pair added 34 runs before James Anderson struck the first wicket of the day to bowl Yadav, as the ball nicked the inside edge of his bat before clipping his pads and crashing into the stumps.
Bashir continued his fine form with the ball and sealed his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket with a ball Akash Deep could not deal with as he walked having been restricted to just nine runs.
England chased their final wicket which came when Tom Hartley removed Jurel for 90, cleaning India up with a fantastic delivery which beat the outside edge and clipped the stumps.
The teams headed for lunch with India all out for 307, having closed England’s lead to 46 runs ahead of the second innings.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett opened the batting for England and could only contribute 19 runs before Ashwin claimed two wickets in as many balls. First, Duckett was caught at short leg before Ollie Pope was trapped lbw for a golden duck.
Joe Root was Ashwin’s next victim as Crawley continued to build something for England as he managed 60 runs before he was outdone by a big leg spinner from Yadav as the tourists lost their fourth wicket for 110.
Following Crawley’s capture, England could only manage another 35 runs with their remaining six wickets.
Ben Stokes was frustratingly bowled after the ball ricocheted off his pad and into the stumps before Jonny Bairstow was the victim of the difficult surface on the first ball after tea, as he pushed straight to Rajat Patidar at cover after the ball bounced off a crack.
India tightened the screw as Hartley and Ollie Robinson were both taken by Yadav in another quick combination of wickets.
The hosts were made to be patient for a short period as Ben Foakes and Bashir held firm for 13 overs without contributing much to their lead, before Ashwin landed his fourth wicket to see off Foakes for 17.
Again, India found another wicket in quickly to get rid of Anderson as Ashwin capped off a sensational display.
India will continue their chase of 152 runs to claim both the match and the series on the fourth day on Monday.
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