A solid 108-run eighth wicket partnership between debutant, Liam Dawson, and Adil Rashid helped England to 477 on Day 2 at the Chepauk Stadium, a formidable total on any wicket. Moeen Ali added some runs to his overnight hundred before succumbing to the short ball tactic for a well made 146.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja struggled to create an impact on a slow turning wicket which made it easier for the English batsmen to negotiate the duo. However, it remains to be seen how the England spinners will bowl on a surface that the Indian counterparts struggled on.
Parthiv Patel, opening in place of Murali Vijay – who suffered a shoulder injury – and Lokesh Rahul, took India to stumps without any damage with the score on 60. England, hurt by the absence of James Anderson and Chris Woakes, will need to lift their bowlers up to prevent India from repeating what they did at Mumbai on a pretty good batting wicket.
Here are the talking points from Day 2 of the Chennai Test.
#5 Ashwin works over Stokes
Ashwin had bowled tirelessly yesterday without success despite getting his lines right. Jadeja had got returns for Ashwin's tight bowling but today Ashwin struck in his first over dismissing the dangerous all-rounder, Stokes, for 6.
He tossed up a delivery outside off, slowing up his pace and forcing Stokes into a defensive probe. The ball turned away catching the edge of Stokes' bat and ended up safely in the hands of Parthiv Patel.
Stokes has been one of England's most positive batsmen right through the tour, attacking the spinners decisively. However, he had looked out of sorts even yesterday and played all around this Ashwin ball.
#4 Moeen Ali falls to bouncer trap
Moeen Ali was England's best batsman in this innings, making a fantastic hundred and forming superb partnerships with Joe Root and Johnny Bairstow.
He has had his share of problems against the short ball and Kohli tried to work him over with that weakness in mind. He had a fielder half way between the rope and inner circle since Ali was mistiming his pulls and the ball was travelling at catchable height to that area.
Umesh Yadav resorted to continuously bouncing the set batsman and after three balls Ali, who had lost his patience by then, took on the bouncer and hit straight to the fielder Kohli had placed. Despite his terrific hundred, the England camp would be unhappy with his poor decision making.
#3 Ishant Sharma returning to his best
Ishant was playing his first match of this series and had looked much better than in his previous series on Day 1. He made the batsmen play and pushed them on their front foot, bowling a teasing line.
Today, he worked on Buttler's weakness of missing straight balls bowled at the stump. Buttler tends to try to get outside the line in his initial movement while trying to shuffle across which leaves him vulnerable to straight balls, making him a strong leg before wicket candidate.
Ishant kept bowling at his weakness until Buttler missed a straight one and was out LBW. Ishant continued to be fired up and welcomed Liam Dawson, the debutant, with a bouncer that smacked him on the helmet.
#2 Dawson exhibits his batting talents
Yet another debutant chipped in from the lower order for England in the series. This time it was Liam Dawson, the left arm spinner who showed impeccable judgement in defence and stroke making.
He made 66 in a 108-run partnership with Adil Rashid who also did his bit by making 60. Dawson's score turned to be the highest by a debut no. 8 batsmen for England in Tests. The partnership was also the third highest for the 8th wicket by a visiting team in India.
Dawson, who is more of a bowler, played shots all around the wicket and looked at ease against spin and pace alike. He will, however, have to showcase his bowling talents to remain a part of the Test team in future.
#1 Parthiv Patel impresses yet again
With Murali Vijay injuring his shoulder while fielding, India were forced to ask Parthiv Patel to open the innings. Bearing in mind that he had kept for close to 158 overs, it was a humongous task given to the wicket keeper.
Patel looked every bit energetic as he walked out with Rahul and showed good judgement outside his off-stump. Patel has been very impressive since making a comeback into the Test side courtesy an injury to regular keeper, Wriddhiman Saha.
He remained unbeaten on 29 off 52 balls at stumps on Day 2 and looks well set on reaching a half-century. The short wicket keeper has shown a tendency to gift away his wicket after getting starts. His main challenge on Day 3 would be to reverse that trend.
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