COMMENTARY
In a terrific end to the day, England has fought back to knock off six wickets but not before the Indians have been placed on a high deck on a difficult dust-bowl track that has begun to turn sharply. Rohit Sharma's stupendous 161 and Ajinkya Rahane's calm 61 put India back on top after England blew away the Indian top-order, with the captain Kohli and opener Shubman Gill being dismissed for ducks.
Rohit, who came into the Test on the back of a rough patch, brushed away all doubts with a supreme display against the English bowlers on a daunting pitch. Rohit, taking a leaf out of Joe Root's masterclass in the previous match, employed a wide array of sweeps ranging from deep fine leg to mid-wicket to quell the English spinners. The Hitman was in fine tune against the pacers - Broad, Stone and Stokes - and raked in the runs quickly against them.
Rahane's return to form would be a breather for India as well. The vice-captain eased the pressure off Rohit and took on the spinners in phases before being dismissed by a Moeen Ali.
With India exceeding expectations on this track to post 300 on day 1, England will have its task cut out tomorrow as anything over 350 could provide too much even for this lineup led by Joe Root.
Do join us tomorrow morning as India fights to get back into the series.
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India 300/6 after 88 overs: STUMPS. Pant takes India to 300 with a gorgeous swivel pull. Stone has tailed the ball back into him but Pant finishes with a resolute defense to close the day for India.
A bit of late drama as Pantand Stokes indulge in a short verbal chat as Stone gears up to ball the last over of the day.
Four minutes to end of day's play. Could be the last over for the day as Root shares the new ball!
India 295/6 after 85 overs: England takes the new ball with Olly Stone taking a dice of the cherry and Axar Patel flicks the first ball to the boundary.
Warnie has his say, Joe. C'mon.
India 284/6 after 83 overs: Root to Ashwin. OUT! Root draws Ashwin forward and he nudges it straight to Pope at short leg for a sheepish dismissal. Root has drawn some amazing turn from the pitch and drills in a beauty for Axar Patel in his first ball in Test cricket!
Ravichandran Ashwin c Pope b Root 13 (19b 1x4 0x6) SR: 68.42
India 284/5 after 82 overs: Pant dashes and survives! Pant smashes Ali for two boundaries, in his own quirky manner. A reverse sweep boundary unsettles the offie and Pant dashes down to smash another over long-off. Ali claims to found the edge and the umpire raises his finger. Pant goes for the review instantly and there seems to clear daylight between bat and ball.
India 266/5 after 79 overs: Pant launches Leach for a six. The southpaw battle has begun and Pant gets into an awkward position before acing the slog-sweep off Leach.
England has its review reinstated after the earlier controversial call from the third umpire
Ominous signs as the English spinners have got some vicious turn since Rahane's dismissal.
India 250/5 after 76 overs: Ali to Rahane. OUT! Bowled 'em. Rahane has caught himself playing an ugly shot and India has lost its big men right on the stroke of stumps. Ali gets enough drift once again like the Kohli dismissal to bring the ball and Rahane attempts to sweep off a rather full ball and misses it completely. This has been a rock-solid innings from the vice captain but a tame shot under the circumstances as England crawls back into this session.
All of this has happened after a poor third umpire decision cost England Rahane's wicket in the previous over. Not a massive loss in hindsight but Root has indeed lost a review. The umpire checks the lbw decision and declares it out not and fails to look into the tap on Rahane's gloves before the ball lobbed onto the short leg fielder. Poor effort from the third umpire overall. Ajinkya Rahane b Ali 67 (149b 9x4 0x6)
India 248/4 after 73 overs: Leach to Rohit. OUT! And after England's tried so hard, an umpire's decision goes in his favour too, Rohit has gifted this away. Attempts the sweep and top-edges off Leach. The ball flies straight into Moeen Ali's hands at deep square leg and an outstanding innings has come to an end, just like that. Rohit Sharma c Ali b Leach 161 (231b 18x4 2x6) SR: 69.7
India 233/3 after 70 overs: Rohit survives by the barest margin! Leach beats Rohit and Foakes snaps the wickets in a flash. The reviews are inconclusive but it seems like Rohit's foot is on the line! The third umpire takes a good look and adjudges it to be not out. Well, well, that is far more closer than that call.
India 230/3 after 68 overs: 150 for the Hitman! Fourth score of 150+ for Rohit! Phenomenal from Rohit to convert another ton to a biggie and seems like he's just getting started. Rohit has been quick to sight a good ball from the spinners and has employed some excellent footwork against them. A quick mention for those excellent sweeps that have done enough to quell Ali and Leach.
A class apart!
India 225/3 after 66 overs:
Root has beaten Rohit off the first ball and has put on a probing first over from around the wicket. Rohit resists the urge for a slog sweep and fends off Root with a front-foot push.
Oh look! Joe Root into the attack.
India 213/3 after 63 overs: Rahane has overshadowed Rohit with the strike in the last three overs and the scoring rate has evidently witnessed a lull. Broad peppers Rahane straight down the midde-line but Rahane has looked all elegant and solid with a simple block.
India 207/3 after 60 overs: 23rd Test fifty for Rahane! A terrific innings under pressure. Short of runs, difficult conditions and coming in at the loss of Kohli for a duck, the vice captain has stood above the England bowlers to compose a well-deserved half-century.
India 200/3 after 58 overs: Rahane takes India past 200 with two sizzling boundaries! Ali has bore the brunt off Rohit and Rahane who have been on another level altogether since Lunch.
India 189/4 after 56 overs: Ali has put Rohit once again in a spot of bother. Rohit misses three sweeps in the over and a loud lbw shout as the final ball hits his pads. After a slight deliberation, England has given it a miss.
We are back for the final session. Rohit and Rahane are back at the crease. Olly Stone up with the ball.
Our correspondent Ayan Acharya updates live from Chepauk
India 189/3 after 54 overs: TEA. 83 runs from 28 overs in the session as Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane have lent a dominant session for India. England has been spot-on with the ball and the bowlers had their moments but none convincing enough to dislodge the pair. Moeen Ali had a rough session after having castled Kohli in the morning. Rohit and Rahane have attacked the offie who is leaking runs at over 4 at the moment.
Heading into tea, Rohit's belligerent batting has clearly put India on top on a dicey pitch. If 300 seemed a challenging total on this pitch first-up, Rohit has pushed the bar higher for the Indians.
100-run partnership for Rohit and Rahane. An eclectic blend of finesse and solidity puts India right back on top as the men who were under pressure before this Test, has come back to deliver.
India 185/3 after 51 overs: Ali comes from around the wicket and surprises Rohit with a ball that stands up. Rohit ensures that he played it late with soft hands to put it a yard from Stokes in slips.
India 174/3 after 48 overs: Rohit and Rahane are motoring through at the moment. Rahane has shaped up his innings quite well at the other end while Rohit has begun to wield the willow with certain aggression as the partnership nears 100.
India 157/3 after 45 overs: Rohit has continued his measured approach against the bowlers and is dealing with singles at the moment. Knowing the way he plays, Rohit will eye to shift the momentum completely post his hundred and that sets up an interesting session ahead. Leach has however, managed to send in the odd-surprise delivery to Rohit who has had share of fortunes as well.
Spot on, Nas.
India 148/3 after 42 overs: 100 for Hitman! A delectable sweep to reach the feat after being stranded for long. Seventh Test 100 for the Hitman and to put in perspective India is just nearing its 150!
The Hitman has sure broken some massive records!
India 144/3 after 41 overs: Rohit on 98 and is creating some nervy moments. Stuart Broad has beaten the edge and has brough one back to Rohit who fends it off tentatively. Suddenly, the ball has tailed back in sharply to surprise Rohit. Not a man who is kept quiet on the 90s usually, but Rohit is feeling a bit of pressure here. His partner, Rahane has walked down to him to ease the nerves a bit.
India 139/3 after 38 overs: And Rohit ROOOARS to 97! A massive six down the ground of Ali who dishes a loopy delivery well outside off. Rohit shimmies down and lofts comfortably over long-off and a bit of a milestone as Rohit becomes the first Indian to hit 200 sixes at home! Rohit and Rahane bring up their 50-run partnership as well. Much needed for India after losing their top-order cheaply and a welcome return to form for the duo.
India 128/3 after 35 overs: England's spinners have kept it tight in this session, particularly against Rohit who was in a different in the morning. Rohit has managed only a single boundary so far since his return to the crease.
India 120/3 after 32 overs: Rahane finds his groove! Stokes bowls full and Rahane has taken no more than a jiffy to pounce on it. Two sizzling boundaries adorn the off-side fence as the Indian vice-captain is finding his feet once again.
India 110/3 after 29 overs: Streaky from Rohit! England persist with the ploy to Rohit with a deep extra cover and long-on field. Rohit looks a bit fidgety after being forced by Leach to play on the defensive. Rohit jumps down and waywardly lobs it over the covers as the ball scurries through the air.
India 106/3 after 27 overs: A well-planned start from England but Rohit has done well to curb his instincts. Root has placed a long-on and a deep extra cover for Rohit. England precisely wants him to attempt to hit Leach through the covers and bring in Stokes at slips into contention. Rohit was itching to go down the ground but managed to stay put in the crease for the first over after Lunch.
Right! We are back for the second session. Rohit (80*) and Rahane (5*) resume the Indian innings as they walk out to the centre. Jack Leach into the attack for England.
Stat Attack:
India 106/3 after 26 overs: LUNCH. Rahane nearly cops a brute of a bouncer from Stones as the sides head into lunch. In what could have been a terrific session of revival for India, the side has lost its top-order cheaply. Gill and Kohli were sent back for ducks while Pujara held fort for a while before holing out.
And at one end, it has been out-and-out Hitman show. Rohit has devoured the England bowlers in an authoritative manner as he cruised to 80 in the first session! England, has however, climbed to the top with Leach and Moeen Ali fishing out India's big men - Pujara and Kohli.
Stay tuned as we return in around 20 minutes.
India 100/3 after 25 overs: India crosses 100 and Rohit has brought it up in style with a drag-drive down the ground off Leach. Rohit is on a run-a-ball 75 and has seemed to bat on a track distinct from the Indian batsmen. He has applied his body well against the spinners, leaning low on the front-foot and has looked a completely different batsman ever since.
India 90/3 after 22 overs: Ali to Kohli. OUT! Bowled him! A cracking delivery from Ali to castle the Indian captain. Ali invites Kohli for the drive and drifts it in massively and hits the top of off! Kohli is flummoxed with his magical delivery and looks back at Rohit in suprise. A massive jolt for India in this session as it loses the skipper for a duck. Virat Kohli b Ali 0 (5b 0x4 0x6)
India 85/2 after 21 overs: Leach to Pujara. OUT!
An easy catch is presented to Ben Stokes at slips. Lapse in application from Pujara and he has gifted his wicket away.
Cheteshwar Pujara c Stokes b Leach 21 (58b 2x4 0x6)
India 75/1 after 18 overs: India is cruising on in the first session here and Rohit has taken on the mantle to assault. Ali and Leach have managed to come in with the odd good ball to surprise Rohit but has not been consistent on this pitch so far.
India 60/1 after 15 overs: FIFTY FOR THE HITMAN!
Two delectable sweeps race to the boundary off Leach and Rohit has dominated the bowlers en route a 47-ball fifty!
50-run partnership for Rohit and Pujara and the Hitman has dominated this with 42 runs in a stroke-filled inning so far. Pujara has looked rock solid at one end as allowed Rohit to blunt the bowlers.
Moeen Ali into the attack.After nearly two years.
India 48/1 after 13 overs: And Leach has Rohit, nearly! Rohit presses forward but the bat is much farther away from the pads. Leach induces the edge and Stokes nearly misses the ball inches ahead of him at first slip.
India 48/1 after 12 overs: Rohit on the prowl.
Stokes keeps it short and instantly pays the price as Rohit pulls it beautifully for a six over mid-wicket. Stokes straightens yet chips in another short one and Rohit uses his wrists to crack another boundary through deep fine leg.
Ben Stokes into the attack as well.
India 31/1 after 9 overs: Positive footwork from Rohit this time around but Leach has him for a scare for a brief moment. Rohit attempts a fine sweep against Leach's slider in to him and the ball hits the pads. England goes for the review and loses it as it misses the stumps by a fair bit.
Always a thought when he aces those drives early on, isn't it?
Jack Leach into the attack. Early trouble for Rohit and Pujara?
India 29/1 after 8 overs: Stone and Broad have attempted to attack Rohit's stumps with a touch of extra pace. Stone has already touched 150ks and with the ball stopping a bit on the pitch, the batsmen haven't had it easy timing the ball. Rohit is however, fending off all the loose balls to the boundary.
Cheteshwar Pujara receives treatment after showing signs of pain in his wrist
India 16/1 after 5 overs: Rohit quells Broad!
Broad has Rohit in an uncertain position as he nearly jags back a ball to the stumps. Rohit retorts with a delightful touch down the ground for a cracking straight drive to the boundary.
Stone nearly touches 90mph in his second over!
India 0/1 after 2 overs: Stone to Gill. OUT! Stones hits the pad in line and the umpire has given it! Rohit and Gill decide against the review and sure they are. Stone's brought it in to Gill with pace and the opener surprisingly decided to not offer a shot. Shubman Gill lbw b Stone 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)
India 0/0 after 1 over: A testing over from Stuart Broad first up. Rohit has looked positive in his stride as well and has left the ball outside the off-stump channel precisely. The pitch seems to induce some uneven bounce first up.
Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill walk down to the crease as Joe Root leads England out to the field. Stuart Broad up with the new ball.
Action resumes at Chepauk!
Most Tests by India at a Venue:
42 - Kolkata,
34 - Chennai*, 34 - Delhi, 25 - Mumbai, 23 - Bangalore
Toss: India wins the Toss and elects to bat.
Jasprit Bumrah, Shahbaz Nadeem and Washington Sundar make way for Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.
Olly Stone pips Chris Woakes to make the England XI.
Toss time, folks!
Latest: Axar Patel will make his Test debut. The all-rounder has received cap no.302 from skipper Virat Kohli!
Kuldeep Yadav, is seen warming up too and that may mean Washington Sundar will be benched for the crucial Test.
8:45 am: The Toss is up in another 15 minutes. Kohli's run with the coin has gone against him off late. Can the turnaround begin from there?
8:30 am: An hour away from action. Chepauk welcomes the return of cricket-crazy fans and a tinge of spin on Day 1!
Certainly, a surreal return for many!
Stats Preview
Virat Kohli needs 106 runs to become the first Indian and third overall captain to score 12000 international runs. The other two to achieve the feat are Ricky Ponting (15440 runs) and Graeme Smith (14878 runs).
Ravichandran Ashwin (347 wickets) needs three more wickets to complete 350 international wickets at home. He will be the third Indian to achieve the feat behind Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
Match Preview
Virat Kohli's invincible side finds itself in a rare spot in its den. With Joe Root's men dealing a massive body blow in the first Test with a 227-run win, India was forced to recede to the drawing room and rewire on the chinks in its armour.
Despite the extravagant batting lineup at its disposal, India came under the pump as England's plans hit the nail right from the Toss.
With the comeback of fans and a pitch finally being curated to suit its style, India may have caught hold of a certain momentum ahead of Saturday's first session. Add to that, England's decision to to rest veteran Jimmy Anderson and in-form offie Dom Bess while Jofra Archer is ruled to injury and Jos Buttler has flown back home.
England has roped in Stuart Broad, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Ben Foakes and Ollie Stone into its 12-man squad ahead of the Test. Despite the spin all-rounder Moeen Ali making a return to the Test squad after two years, India would be wary of the threat that the 33-year-old may bring in.
WATCH: CD Gopinath, the only surviving member of India's first-ever Test win in 1952 against England in Chennai, relives the historic moment.
In his last tour to India in 2016, Ali shone bright in a woeful tour for the visitor. In five Tests, Ali picked up 10 wickets while being England's second best bet with the bat with 381 runs including two hundreds to his name.
India's premier batsmen Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane have hit a rough patch with the Mumbaikars failing to set the tone with the bat. With a slightly depleted English attack taking guard, Rohit and Rahane would be eyeing to set the record straight and lead the Indian batting one again.
As India sets up to take on the visitor in a track that would be conducive to spin from Day 1, Kohli will be tempted to move in with three spinners. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel is likely to make his Test debut by replacing Shahbaz Nadeem with his lower-order batting providing an edge. That could also mean the return of Kuldeep Yadav in whites who may go onto replace Washington Sundar. Sundar, despite his fine performances with the bat, made the Indian spin attack seem one-dimensional in the first Test with offie Ravichandran Ashwin leading the roost.
As we gear up for the first session, all eyes will be on the all-crucial toss and the possible lineups that could stack up to play out another crucial Test match in the context of the World Test Championships.
What they said
"I am sure it will turn from day No. 1. We will have to wait and see how it plays in the first session and take it on from there. We have to forget what happened in the first Test and focus on playing good cricket. We know these conditions really well. Don't think it'll be tricky as such. The sooner we adjust to the wicket, the better it will be," Ajinkya Rahane on the nature of the Chepauk pitch
"In the first innings of the first Test, Bessy (Dom Bess) produced a brilliant delivery to get rid of him. We have to keep delivering our best balls time and again and try and build pressure on him. We know he is one of the world's best players and desperate to prove a point this week," Joe Root on trying to keep Indian captain Virat Kohli under the pump.
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SQUADS
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Mayank Agarwal, Mohammad Siraj, Hardik Pandya, K.L. Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, Shardul Thakur.
England (12 announced): Joe Root (captain), Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Moeen Ali, Ben Foakes, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Olly Stone.
Umpires: Nitin Menon & Virender Sharma. Third umpire; Anil Chowdhary. Match Referee: Javagal Srinath.
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