IND v ENG, 5th Test, Day 2 Review: England pile on the runs despite impressive bowling

Moeen Ali was denuded of what would have surely been an impressive 150 as the India bowlers managed to strike at the England batsmen with some impressive bowling in the morning session. However, having amassed 352 runs in the first innings, the England contingent consisting of Alastair Cook will be mighty pleased with what they have seen thus far especially with many expecting the Brits to be routed by the Indian spinners.

The day began on a terrible note as homeboy Ravi Ashwin struck in the very first over of the second day when he removed the impressive Ben Stokes. The southpaw who made several attempts the previous evening to drive against the wrist spin of Ashwin was eventually undone. What came soon after was something that the England tail least expected.

Ishant Sharma was steaming in. His brow was furry and he looked as menacing as ever. What’s more is the fact that Ishant simply did not look like he was going to give any reprieve for the England batsmen. This also convoluted into something of a barrage of ‘chin music’ that was eventually going to be the demise of Jos Buttler.

The ploy, however, was initially to be used on Moeen Ali, someone who had been undone by the short delivery on quite a few occasions. As the Britons watched it unfold, their fears of having Ali dismissed were seemingly becoming all the more expected. The southpaw began to back himself to play the short-pitched deliveries banged in by Ishant only for the hooks to fall fatally short of either third man or fine leg.

Jos Buttler however, was one of those unfortunate players to lose their wicket to this ploy as he played down the wrong line to be dismissed by Ishant leg-before. While it seemed to be Moeen Ali’s day with the bat, his luck was soon to run out as Virat Kohli’s persistence with the quick bowlers soon yielded fruit.

Umesh Yadav, who was toiling away in the sun was beginning to tire a wee bit. However, the commitment towards his bowling was something that made sure that there was certainly a wicket in the offing. This time around, it was not one of the deliveries that were banged in short that was going to get him out, it would be a wonderful good length outswinger from Umesh that was eventually to be his undoing.

The first session was brought to an end with Amit Mishra bowling from one end and Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid keeping the Indian bowlers at bay.

Brief Scores

England, 1st innings: 352/7 (Moeen Ali 146; R Jadeja 3/78)

Updated till lunch. More to follow…