Ben Stokes piles on the agony

India made a cautious start reaching 63 for no loss with openers Murali Vijay (25 not out) and Gautam Gambhir (28 not out) at the crease. England’s first innings total was their third-highest ever in this country, showing their batsmen were in total control against Indian spinners especially Ravichandran Ashwin, who conceded 167 runs in 46 overs taking only two wickets. Amit Mishra fared no better, having being hit for 98 runs in 23.3 overs. 

India still need 275 more runs to avoid following on, on a track showing increasing signs of wear and tear after its easy-paced nature on day one yesterday. The hosts also trailed the visitors by a massive 474 runs with all ten wickets in hand going into day three on Friday. Both faced testing spells of fast bowling and probing spin bowling to remain unbeaten for carrying on the daunting task faced by the home team. Vijay had faced 70 balls, striking four fours — three of which came in one over off Stuart Broad. Gambhir, playing his second Test on the trot after his recall from hibernation, struck four fours in his 68-ball knock as they batted out the shortened last session of play.

Earlier, New Zealand-born England all-rounder Ben Stokes became the third century maker in the visitors’ first innings after Joe Root yesterday and Moeen Ali today morning. The tourists, in particular Stokes who made an attacking 128 which was the innings highest score, batted right down the order to post the massive total before being all out to end the extended session two. England’s total revolved mainly around Root’s classical, foundation-laying 124 on day one, Ali’s attractive knock of 117 the enterprising hundred by Stokes against a listless Indian bowling attack that was plundered for a whopping 139 runs in 30 overs in the pre-lunch period.