England’s bowlers toiled hard as conceded 257 runs in 85.3 overs while taking just four wickets, the last two coming in the last two overs.
For six hours England had toiled under a cloudless sky for two wickets and their first innings total of 537 no longer possessed monumental proportions. Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay had become the fourth and fifth centurions in the match. India had lost Gambhir to the first ball of the second over, before the two centurions shut the door for the next 55 overs.
The one period during the morning that England troubled an Indian batsman was when Chris Woakes was bowling short to Pujara. India’s number three was struck on the helmet three times as the England all-rounder treated him to a barrage of quick bumpers that he had few answers to.
All three England spinners were a lot more disciplined after lunch, bowling fewer balls that offered easy scoring shots in the second and third sessions. But both batsman held on.
Pujara finally departed when he steered the first ball of a new Stokes spell straight to first slip to be dismissed for 124. England still had an hour and a half to make further inroads. Out came the Indian captain Virat Kohli and as always showed resolve in batting the day out.
Vijay finally fell on the penultimate over of the match, Rashid got the opening batsman caught at short leg with a googly followed by Zafar Ansari snaring the nightwatchman Amit Mishra.
