In the second Test, Team India crushed England as England was packed up at 134 runs on day two on Sunday after India built up a substantial lead of 249 runs on day 1. The brilliance of Team England was quickly replaced by the Men in blues on the same Chennai so that India can level up the series. Although the ground was the same, the pitch conditions were different because those home situations were increased by extreme surface, so blatantly and very under-prepared which will suit the spinners that it is unfit for Test matches.
Ravichandran Ashwin crossed Harbhajan Singh’s record of bagging 265 wickets on the home soil, except Anil Kumble, ahead with 350 wickets. But also, nine wickets left for Ashwin to claim 400 Test wickets for an Indian in the longest format to join the elite list with Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, and Kapil Dev. Also, Ashwin claimed five wickets to conclude England’s first innings. Also, he took a five-wicket haul and his 29th in 76 Tests.
“When I was watching the 2001 series where Bhajju Pa (Harbhajan) was playing, I didn’t even imagine that I would go out and become an off-spinner for the country.
“I was still a batsman for my state, trying to accelerate a career towards batting and playing for the country, I wasn’t sure whether I would go on and become a player for the Indian team,” Ashwin stated at a virtual post-day press conference.
“Lot of my teammates from that age, from that generation, you know, used to make fun of me, because I used to bowl like Bhajju Pa, my action, I used to try and bowl like him and all that,” he further added.
“So, from there on to come one and actually break the record of something that he possesses, has to be incredibly special. I didn’t know of it, now that I do know of it, I feel happy. Sorry, Bhajju Pa…,” Ashwin finally conclude.
England’s Foakes scored an unbeaten 42 off 107 balls, The visitors crashed at an early 39 runs in a dramatic session with the falling of 8 wickets, and by handing the home team, a 195 runs lead to India in their first innings.
India continued their score of 300 runs for six and managed to stretch it to 329 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium by losing the remaining four wickets quite quickly. But Rohit Sharma looked in good form again as he finished with 25, not out the day. But unfortunately, Jack Leach dismissed Shubman Gill by LBW, India losing the only wicket in the second innings.
