Indian bowlers endure tough outing on Day 2 after Ben Duckett hammers century

It was a mixed day in the office for the Indian cricket team who had a decent start to Day 2 of the third Test but couldn’t convert the cameos by the tail-enders into something massive as they were bowled out for 445. Starting the day at 326/5, India lost their night watchman from the previous day, Kuldeep Yadav, early.

India’s second centurion, Ravindra Jadeja fell in short succession as Joe Root struck to prize out the all-rounder. However, Ravichandran Ashwin (37) and Dhruv Jurel (46) steered the Indian ship to safety, adding 77 runs to the tally. Much to India’s woes, however, both Jurel and Ashwin departed in quick succession.

It was another 30-run stand between Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj with the former scoring 26 runs that propelled India to 445 before England could finally draw the curtains on India’s innings. Mark Wood was the pick of the English bowling lot, registering figures of 4/114.

England got off to a feisty start, courtesy of a high-firing Ben Duckett who was unbeaten at the end of day’s play for 133 from just 118 balls. Ravichandran Ashwin clinched his 500th Test wicket, removing Zak Crawley for 15 while Mohammed Siraj bagged a late breakthrough, claiming the prized scalp of Ollie Pope to give some hope to India. England finished the day at 207/2 with Duckett and Joe Root at the center with the visitors trailing by 238 runs.