2nd Test: Ashwin Stars As India Needs 7 Wickets To Win, England 429 Runs (Day Report)

Star all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin on Monday scored his fifth Test century to help India set a mammoth 482-run target for England on Day Three of the second Test here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Brief scores: India 329 and 286 all out on Day Three (Ravichandran Ashwin 106, Virat Kohli 62; Moeen Ali 4/98, Jack Leach 4/100) vs England 134 all out and 53/3 

2nd Test: India vs England Day 3 Report 

Resuming at 54/1 on Day Three, 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.

However, 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 that Ali had dismissed the Indian skipper 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.

Ashwin scored his fifth Test century and first against England before India were bowled out for 286 in the final session. He got help from number 11 Mohammed Siraj to get to his century as they put on 49 runs for the final wicket. Olly Stone bowled Ashwin to end India's innings.

England came into bat needing a mammoth target of 482 and were left were struggling at 53 for three at stumps.  Left-arm spinner Axar Patel took two wickets including Dom Sibley, for three, and Jack Leach, who was sent in as nightwatchman, for nought.

Following up on his five wickets in the first innings, Ashwin got Rory Burns caught at slip for 25 to take his match tally to six.

Dan Lawrence, on 19, and skipper Joe Root, on two, will resume batting Tuesday on the turning pitch.