The third day of the fourth test, played at the Wankhede Stadium last week Saturday, saw Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara, share a century stand as India started out strong in reply to England’s total of 400 on Friday, the second day of the fourth test played at the Wankhede Stadium.

After Lokesh Rahul had fallen following an opening stand of 39 with Vijay, the right handed pair added 107 runs for the second wicket.

From both ends after seven overs, Alastair Cook, England’s captain introduced spin which saw a considerable turn on over from Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali.

In his 24, Rahul went on to hit four crisp boundaries, before Moeen, off spinner, breached his defences to bowl him.

Twice, Vijay mis-hit Rashid, with the ball landing safely beyond the reach of the fielders on the two occasions. And over the long-off boundary, the opener hit the leg spinner for six.

Against the England fast bowlers, Pujara was quite solid as he hit through some sublime boundaries off the back foot against England’s fast bowlers.

England had been trailing 2-0 behind in the five match series, and Jos Buttler made 78 to guide the touring side to a strong total, before they were all out 25 minutes after lunch.

For his 23rd five-wicket haul, Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s off-spinner completed figures of six for 112, while the other four wickets were taken by Ravindra Jadeja, India’s left-arm spinner.

Jadeja cheaply dismissed Chirs Woakes and Rashid as he went on to boost India’s chances of keeping to under 350, England’s total. However the duo of Buttler and Ball were fully on ground as they went on to frustrate India with their partnership of 54 for the ninth wicket.

 

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