Chennai: Captain Virat Kohli and all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin scored a half-century each in the second innings on a tough batting turf of MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday to put India in commanding position by extending their lead to 416 on Day Three of the second Test against England here.
At the tea break, India had reached 221/8 in their second innings, with Ashwin and Ishant Sharma batting on 68 and 0 respectively. The hosts added 65 runs in the 25 overs bowled during the session.
Earlier in the morning session, India lost five wickets but added 102 runs to get their lead past 350. Resuming the day at 54/1, India lost the wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara (7), Rohit Sharma (26), Rishabh Pant (8), Ajinkya Rahane (10) and debutant Axar Patel (7) in quick succession.
However, Kohli and Ashwin then shared a 96-run stand for the seventh wicket to put India in a leading position of the Test.
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The Indian skipper, Kohli, who scored 62, was the first wicket to fall after lunch as he was dismissed by Moeen Ali. This was the fifth time that Moeen had dismissed Kohli in Test cricket.
Kuldeep Yadav (3), who came in next, couldn't stay long at the crease as he was also out lbw against Ali.
Ishant then shared an unbeaten stand of 11 runs off 30 balls with Ashwin to take India to a strong position before the tea break.
India had posted 329 runs in their first innings. The hosts then bowled out England for 134, securing a 195-run lead.
Brief scores: India 329 and 221/8 at tea on Day Three(Ravichandran Ashwin 68 batting, Virat Kohli 62; Moeen Ali 4/71) vs England 134 all out
