Virat Kohli continued his red-hot form with the bat as he put India on top for the third consecutive day in the second Test at Vizag.
Earlier, resuming the day on 103 for 5, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes batted brilliantly to revive England’s hopes. The duo scored crucial half-centuries in the morning session and threatened to play spoilsport. But their resistance was finally broken when fast-bowler Umesh Yadav castled Bairstow with a peach of a delivery. The fightback did not last long as the visitors were dismissed for 255. Ravichandran Ashwin, who was criticised for his performance in the first Test, was the destructor-in-chief as he took his 22nd Test fifer.
Despite getting a 200-run lead, the hosts decided against enforcing the follow-on. However, James Anderson and Stuart Broad gave India a mighty scare when they dismissed the top three batsmen with only 40 on the board. But then Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane shared an unbeaten partnership of 58 runs to steady the ship. On a pitch, where others were finding it tough to judge the ball, the Indian Test skipper was at his fluent best as he scored 56 runs off only 70 balls. Rahane was unbeaten on 22. India’s overall lead now is 298.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
https://twitter.com/cricketworms/status/799938332859854848
Sky Sports missing a trick by not making us pay extra to watch Virat Kohli here.
— James Rodger (@jamesdrodger) November 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/vyom_mankad/status/799933903762903040
This Test Match is becoming a @imVkohli Masterclass …. #INDIA
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/ViratSlays/status/799929405883748353
This Test Match is becoming a @imVkohli Masterclass …. #INDIA
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 19, 2016
Kohli playing on a different pitch against different bowlers. Class. #INDvENG
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/AltCricket/status/799932754968330240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
#IndvsEng India are playing like as if they are trailing by 200runs #NeedtoShow #PositiveIntent
— Bagawati Prasad (@Baggs0404) November 19, 2016
It's a miracle! A TIGHT, CONTROLLED, threatening 1st over from #Rashid. about time he came of age as a Test bowler. Today please. #IndvEng
— Lee Wellings (@LeeW_Sport) November 19, 2016
Every time an an Indian opener gets out in single digit score in a test match, I feel sorry for @GautamGambhir 🙁
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) November 19, 2016
Openers Are Temporary, Bhumi Pujan Is Permanent.
Be It Shikhar Dhawan Or KL Rahul.#INDvENG #INDvsENG
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) November 19, 2016
Some commentators still not used to DRS. Manjrekar "no edge there, don't think they'll review"
England review & a clear edge.#INDvENG— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) November 19, 2016
Ashwin Last 6 innings with the bat
40, 26, 5, 70, 32, 58
Ashwin Last 6 innings With the ball
3/82
6/81
7/59
2/167
1/63
5/67— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) November 19, 2016
#SirJadeja Didn't Take More Than 1 Wicket Coz Didn't Want To Ruin Ravichandran Ashwin's Five-for.
Such A Selfless Player#INDvENG #INDvsENG
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) November 19, 2016
Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes now the most profilic 2016 pairing, 753 runs from 7 innings, past Hales/Cook (750/19) https://t.co/xjA3W2ZGrH
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) November 19, 2016
Partnership finished at 110 off 265 balls between Stokes and Bairstow. Fantastic effort in difficult batting conditions.
— Test Match Dan (@TestMatchDan) November 19, 2016