4th Test: All-round India 152 Away from Win After Stellar Ashwin-Kuldeep Show in Ranchi

Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav produced a stellar show with the ball for India as the spin duo combined to take nine wickets between them and bowl out England for 145 in their second innings on Day 3 of the 4th Test in Ranchi. Ashwin took a five-for while Kuldeep clinched four wickets before India knocked off 40 runs without damage from the middling yet stiff target of 192 to win the contest.

Also Read: IND vs ENG 4th Test Day 3 Highlights

India had a brilliant day with the bat and the ball. Dhruv Jurel peeled off an excellent maiden half-century and was the last man to be dismissed on 90 to lift his team to 307-all out after they were left reeling at 177/7 at one stage yesterday.

Jurel’s partnership with Kuldeep Yadav (28 off 131) was worth 76 runs for the eighth wicket and it denied England a big first-innings lead.

India were bowled out for 307, conceding 46-run lead.

Considering the way the pitch has played, England would have hoped to set India a challenging total. Ashwin ensured it wasn’t to be by picking up two wickets in an over including that of Ben Duckett (14) and Ollie Pope (0).

The body blow came when Joe Root was trapped LBW for 11 by Ashwin. Zak Crawley then peeled off a fighting half-century and added 45 runs for the fourth wicket with Jonny Bairstow to lead a short-lived recovery.

Kuldeep Yadav then cleaned up Crawley on 60 followed by Ben Stokes (4). Bairstow then chipped the first delivery after the tea break to be caught for 30 off 42 and this time, England tail didn’t wag for long.

Ashwin dismissed James Anderson for a duck to complete his five-for, the 35th time he has done so in Test cricket and thus drawing level with the legendary Anil Kumble.

England then needed a couple of quick wickets to draw parity in the contest.

India captain Rohit Sharma (24*) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (16*) ensured it wasn’t the case either with the opening pair racing away to 40/0 in just eight overs.

With two days of play still remaining, India need 152 more to win and take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-match series unless England can pull of something remarkable from hereon.

Brief Scores: India 307 and 40/0 (Rohit Sharma 24*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 16*) need  152 more to win vs England 352 and 140 (Zak Crawley 60; R Ashwin 5/51, Kuldeep Yadav 4/22)