On Day 3, R Ashwin scored his fifth Test century to help India set a mammoth 482-run target for England of the India vs England second Test match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. England finished the day on 53/3 with Joe Root and Dan Lawrence at the crease.
Ashwin scored 106 runs off 148 balls with the help of 14 fours and a six as India’s second innings came to an end at 286 in the final session. Mohammad Siraj remained unbeaten on 16, and helped Ashwin add 49 runs for the final wicket.
Earlier, resuming the day at 54/1, India lost five wickets but added 102 runs to get their lead past 350 in the morning session. The hosts lost the wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara (7), Rohit Sharma (26), Rishabh Pant (8), Ajinkya Rahane (10) and debutant Axar Patel (7) in quick succession to give a glimmer of hope to England.
Skipper Virat Kohli and Ashwin then shared a 96-run stand for the seventh wicket to put India in a commanding position. Kohli, who showed his class on a Chepauk wicket that aided turn, was the first wicket to fall in the post-lunch session as he was dismissed by Moeen Ali at his individual score of 62. This was the fifth time Moeen had dismissed the Kohli in Test cricket.
Kuldeep Yadav (3) and Ishant Sharma (7) also shared eight- and 27-run partnerships respectively with Ashwin to frustrate the England bowlers. India had posted 329 runs in their first innings. The hosts then bowled out England for 134, securing a 195-run lead.
England began their second innings with a positive intent until Axar Patel dismissed Dom Sibley. Ashwin followed with the wicket of Rory Burns, while Axar sent night-watchman Jack Leach back to the pavilion. Joe Root then survived a DRS decision that left plenty in disbelief.
India need seven wickets to win on Day 4 and an improbable Day 5 of the Test match with England needing 429 runs to potentially win.