AHMEDABAD, India, (Reuters) – Rishabh Pant launched a spectacular late attack in his 101 torches to put India in charge of the fourth and final test against England in Ahmedabad yesterday.
Ben Stokes led England’s lion’s heart bowling effort in the first two innings but Pant’s century-plus partnership with Washington Sundar pitched the game in favor of the hosts who finished day two at 294-7.
Sundar was batting at 60 at stems and Axar Patel was on 11 with India 89 leading after being 121-5 at one stage.
“We were on the back foot after losing those wickets but the partnership between Pant and Washington was very important,” said India opener Rohit Sharma.
“It got us where we wanted, put us in the driver’s seat.”
“We currently have a 90-odd leader, which is great. I hope Axar and Washington can carry the same intent tomorrow too and put us in a good position. “After posting below par 205, England couldn’t afford to let India get off to a good start and their bowlers responded magnificently after the hosts resumed the day at 24-1.
James Anderson bowled a tight line while Stokes, who battled a upset stomach on Thursday and still had the highest score with 55, was relentlessly hostile.
Left arm spinner Jack Leach won the breakthrough catching the obdurate Cheteshwar Pujara lbw at 17.
Stokes folded his back to produce awkward bounces and one such carry reached Virat Kohli’s valuable wicket.
The India captain could only fake the growing carry-on behind being dismissed for an eight-ball duck.
Rohit, who turned 49, was smacked on his helmet by another such delivery from Stokes. The rounder returned after the lunch break to deny Rohit his fifty and Leach sent Ravichandran Ashwin back to beg India back.
Pant started cautiously but accelerated spectacularly, especially after England grabbed the second new ball.
Left-hander Anderson swept back to sweep into the 90s and swept Joe Root for six to grab his third test century.
The English duo combined to end his swashbuckling innings as he nailed Anderson’s delivery to Root in the middle of the short wicket. The 118-ballPant blitz was packed with 13 boundaries and two sixes.
Sundar struck eight boundaries against a savage attack in England.
“They exhausted everything they had out there,” said English spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel.
“We were in a position to take the lead, but it didn’t go out that way.
“If India has to chase anything above 100 on dressage wickets, that could be interesting,” added a former New Zealand spinner.