Team India was on top of their game in the second test match at Chennai and equalised the series as they put on a complete all-round display on the field. The Bharat Army was present at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium with the 'Comeback Kings - Team India' as the visitors were trounced by 317 runs. Continue to read on an in-depth review of the second test match in the Pataudi Trophy and also on how to get India vs England tickets for the last two test matches at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium.

Key Moments that marked India's counterpunch:

1. Shutting critics the Hit-man way

If Joe Root's innings was the difference between the two sides in the 1st test, Rohit Sharma played the same role for the Indian Cricket team in this game. As stated by Ajinkya Rahane in the pre-match press conference that the pitch will assist spinners and the nature of the track was pretty evident from Day 1 itself.

The ball was turning and Moeen Ali got the better of Indian captain Virat Kohli in the first session of the first day as a ball turned in sharply. India lost 3 wickets in the session as they added 106 runs after that he scored 80 off 78 balls in the first session and made sure India was in a dominating position. 

He added on to that as brought up his 7th Test century in the post-lunch session in 130 balls. He continued the assault on the English bowlers and on a pitch which was difficult for batting, his innings stood apart as no Indian batsman looked at ease in the 1st innings as much as Rohit Sharma did. 

Along With Rohit, his Mumbai teammate Ajinkya Rahane who was under fire for the lack of runs under the deputy skipper’s belt scored a fine half-century. Rohit and Rahane were dismissed within a span of 3 overs as England looked to crawl back in the game but the damage was already done. Rishabh Pant didn’t change his approach as he scored a half-century and took his chances but wickets kept falling as the tailenders failed to provide the wicket-keeper enough support and the southpaw was the last man standing. 

2. Ashwin weaves the web through the turn, pace and guile

When England came out to bat in the 1st session of Day 2, it was going to be a tough task on a turning track. Against the maestro, Ravichandran Ashwin, in his own den, England were clueless as they made batting tougher than it was and instigating the debate, whether the pitch was a suitable track for test cricket.

Half of the England team was back in the hut with just 52 runs on the scoreboard as R Ashwin ran through the top-order. Ben Foakes and Ollie Pope showed some fight but India wrapped up the innings as bowled out the opposition for 134 runs and with a lead of 195. 

3. How to play spin 101: Ashwin, the spin maestro

When India came out to bat, the pitch was the same but their skills were certainly better. Jack Leach and Moeen Ali were giving India a tough time as the home side was reduced 106-6. But when Kohli and Ashwin joined hands in the middle, there was a phase where Bharat fans were made to think whether the pitch was swapped.

The duo put on a masterclass on how to bat in spinning conditions. Virat Kohli looked all set to get that elusive century but an LBW decision meant that he was back in the hut but that didn’t stop the man who was on the mission at the other end. Ashwin brought up his 5th test century and the first at his home ground, where he has grown up watching some great test matches. He was on 77 when number 11, Mohammed Siraj walked into the middle and credit to the pacer who held firm and made sure that the Chennai boy got to his 5th century. 

4. India make the series 1-1

England’s task was always going to be next to impossible with 481 runs to chase. Axar Patel picked 5 wickets on debut and he was aided by Ashwin and later on by Kuldeep Yadav as well. The 4th innings was a cakewalk for India as they registered their 5th highest victory by runs in Test cricket.  

The Bharat Army Epic Encounter - Ashwin vs England

Here is glance through some record-breaking stats and of what Ravichandran Ashwin did to England in his hometown at Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

• ➡ R Ashwin has now scored second joint-most centuries for a batsman batting at No. 8 as he scored his 3rd one. He is tied with Kamran Akmal and only Daniel Vettori with 4 centuries has more hundreds at the position than the off-spinner. 
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• ➡ The all-rounder scored a century and scalped a 5-wicket haul in the same match for the 3rd time. Only Ian Botham has done it more times(5)
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• ➡ The off-spinner dismissed Ben Stokes for the 10th time in his career. It's the most number of times he has dismissed a batsman along with David Warner. 
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• ➡ Ashwin became the first bowler to dismiss 200 left-handers in Test cricket.
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The Bharat Army Story in Numbers 

India's Road to ICC World Test Championship 2021

With this comeback win for Bharat against England, we move back to the second spot in the ICC World Test Championship. The Bharat Army will be there in Motera, Ahmedabad to ensure and reclaim the throne again. Witness history with Bharat Army as India vs England Tickets for the 3rd and 4th Test match are available now! Email us at info@bharatarmy.com now to enquire about the tickets.