<p>Former Indian batter-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar slammed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma following their flop show in India versus Bangladesh first Test in Chennai. Rohit returned with scores of 6 and 5 whereas Kohli only managed 6 and 17 in India's 280-run win over the Bangla Tigers. Manjrekar pointed out the duo for not playing the Duleep Trophy before the Bangladesh series and accused BCCI of 'special treatment' meted out to the two senior pros. Manjrekar, however, backed the star players to get back to runs in the second and final Test, which gets underway in Kanpur on Friday (Sep 27).</p>

<h2><strong>'One has to be careful about treating certain players differently and do what's best for Indian cricket'</strong></h2>

<p>In a conversation with ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar said, "I'm not worried, but I'm sure somebody made a note of the fact that they would have been better off had they played some red-ball cricket. There was the option of picking them in the Duleep Trophy. So one has to be careful about treating certain players differently and do what's best for Indian cricket and for the player. Virat and Rohit not playing (Duleep Trophy) was not good for Indian cricket, nor was it good for the two players. Had they played the Duleep Trophy and had some time in the red-ball cricket, things would have been different."</p>

<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/im-not-afraid-nathan-lyon-on-game-plan-against-old-foe-rishabh-pant-as-india-vs-australia-tests-near-761850">I'm not afraid...: Nathan Lyon on game plan against old foe Rishabh Pant as India vs Australia Tests near</a></strong></p>

<p>He added, "But they have the class and experience to make a comeback later in the series, and I don't see them, for that reason, not being in form. But something that one must make a quiet note of, and that has been a problem with Indian cricket for a long time now, is that certain players get picked out for special treatment because of their status, which eventually hurts that player more than anyone else."</p>

<p>While a majority of the Test-bound players featured in the first round of the Duleep Trophy, before the Bangladesh series, Rohit and Kohli were rested. Hence, both were out of action during India's 42-day rest period after the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka.</p>

<p>Speaking about Kohli, in particular, he last played a Test in early 2024 whereas his previous home Test was in Feb 2023. Hence, all eyes will be on Rohit and Kohli in the final Test versus Bangladesh as India aim for a 2-0 whitewash.</p>


Former Indian batter-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar slammed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma following their flop show in India versus Bangladesh first Test in Chennai.

Former Indian batter-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar slammed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma following their flop show in India versus Bangladesh first Test in Chennai. Rohit returned with scores of 6 and 5 whereas Kohli only managed 6 and 17 in India's 280-run win over the Bangla Tigers. Manjrekar pointed out the duo for not playing the Duleep Trophy before the Bangladesh series and accused BCCI of 'special treatment' meted out to the two senior pros. Manjrekar, however, backed the star players to get back to runs in the second and final Test, which gets underway in Kanpur on Friday (Sep 27). 'One has to be careful about treating certain players differently and do what's best for Indian cricket' In a conversation with ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar said, "I'm not worried, but I'm sure somebody made a note of the fact that they would have been better off had they played some red-ball cricket. There was the option of picking them in the Duleep Trophy. So one has to be careful about treating certain players differently and do what's best for Indian cricket and for the player. Virat and Rohit not playing (Duleep Trophy) was not good for Indian cricket, nor was it good for the two players. Had they played the Duleep Trophy and had some time in the red-ball cricket, things would have been different." Also read: I'm not afraid...: Nathan Lyon on game plan against old foe Rishabh Pant as India vs Australia Tests near He added, "But they have the class and experience to make a comeback later in the series, and I don't see them, for that reason, not being in form. But something that one must make a quiet note of, and that has been a problem with Indian cricket for a long time now, is that certain players get picked out for special treatment because of their status, which eventually hurts that player more than anyone else." While a majority of the Test-bound players featured in the first round of the Duleep Trophy, before the Bangladesh series, Rohit and Kohli were rested. Hence, both were out of action during India's 42-day rest period after the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. Speaking about Kohli, in particular, he last played a Test in early 2024 whereas his previous home Test was in Feb 2023. Hence, all eyes will be on Rohit and Kohli in the final Test versus Bangladesh as India aim for a 2-0 whitewash.

Ind vs Ban: Virat, Rohit not playing Duleep Trophy wasn't good - Manjrekar slams duo after no show in Chennai

<p>Rishabh Pant smashed his sixth Test hundred against Bangladesh on day three of the Chennai Test - joint-most by an Indian keeper batter in this format, announcing his return to Test cricket in some style. Pant and Gill completed their respective tons in the second innings, with India setting a 515-run target. Fans took to social media to hail Pant’s fighting knock of 109 off 128 balls, including 13 fours and four sixes.</p>

<p>Pant and Gill began day three from where they left at stumps the other night, piling on runs at will, with the left-handed batter delivering quickly. In no time, they reached their fifties and soon after marched towards the three-digit score.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ind-vs-ban-1st-test-rishabh-pant-completes-epic-comeback-with-hundred-on-test-return-watch-760639">IND vs BAN, 1st Test: Rishabh Pant completes epic comeback with hundred on Test return - WATCH</a></strong></p>

<p>In his usual self, Pant took on the Bangladeshi bowlers up-front, attacking pacers and spinners with the same intent.</p>

<p>Pant returned to Test cricket for the first time since December 2022, when he suffered multiple injuries in a car crash on New Year’s Eve. He underwent several surgeries that kept him out of on-field cricket for more than a year.</p>

<p>Pant returned to competitive cricket in IPL this year, later winning the T20 World Cup with India in the Americas. Picked into the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, Pant got out on 39 in the first innings but completed another Test hundred in the second.</p>

<p>India captain Rohit Sharma declared the innings 287 for four, setting a target of 515. While Gill remained unbeaten at 119, KL was on 22 and not out.</p>

<p>Check out how fans reacted to Pant’s comeback hundred in Tests.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A CENTURY on his return to Test cricket.<br />
<br />
What a knock this by <a href="https://twitter.com/RishabhPant17?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RishabhPant17</a> 👏👏<br />
<br />
Brings up his 6th Test ton!<br />
<br />
Live - <a href="https://t.co/jV4wK7BgV2">https://t.co/jV4wK7BgV2</a>…… <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvBAN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvBAN</a><a href="https://twitter.com/IDFCFIRSTBank?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IDFCFIRSTBank</a> <a href="https://t.co/A7NhWAjY3Z">pic.twitter.com/A7NhWAjY3Z</a></p>
— BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1837385279574855738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Keep everything aside, This is the GREATEST COMEBACK❣️<br />
<br />
Rishabh pant And Shubman Gill Made Hundred. 🇮🇳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RishabhPant?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RishabhPant</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShubmanGill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShubmanGill</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BANvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BANvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/GyeiSimIFv">pic.twitter.com/GyeiSimIFv</a></p>
— Saurabh kumar (@Saurabhk0096) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saurabhk0096/status/1837393880452317544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="et">𝘒𝘢𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘥𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘢, 𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘩 𝘬𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘨𝘢! 😉<br />
<br />
Test Cricket missed you, Spidey! ❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RishabhPant?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RishabhPant</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvBAN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvBAN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PunjabKings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PunjabKings</a> <a href="https://t.co/Jy0uRX4hIA">pic.twitter.com/Jy0uRX4hIA</a></p>
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PunjabKingsIPL/status/1837385473662026206?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The greatest Indian test wicketkeeper is back - very happy to see your comeback <a href="https://twitter.com/RishabhPant17?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RishabhPant17</a> - keep it going - our country has missed you!</p>
— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParthJindal11/status/1837374691415052449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Test cricket missed you Rishabh Pant. What a star!💥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndvBan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndvBan</a></p>
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) <a href="https://twitter.com/chetannarula/status/1837388612519756123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rishabh Pant as a test player. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvBAN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvBAN</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RishabhPant?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RishabhPant</a> <a href="https://t.co/v9sELvHPpS">pic.twitter.com/v9sELvHPpS</a></p>
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) <a href="https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/1837388250153209883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rishabh Pant has same number of centuries as MS Dhoni in Test cricket. Dhoni took 144 innings while Pant did the same in just 58 innings but wait that's not the most Shocking thing, the most shocking thing is while MS Dhoni had no overseas century, Pant has 4 overseas centuries.… <a href="https://t.co/m7MePZjJMm">pic.twitter.com/m7MePZjJMm</a></p>
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) <a href="https://twitter.com/mainbhiengineer/status/1837388701690638524?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rishabh Pant will turn 27 next month...over the next decade or so he has all the tools to become an all time great. The building blocks are already in place. He is a generational talent.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvBAN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvBAN</a></p>
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) <a href="https://twitter.com/gauravkalra75/status/1837387176448848268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The man who will make you fall in love with Test cricket again.<br />
The man who will entertain and ensure that there’s never a dull moment when he’s batting.<br />
Rishabh Pant is back. Back to where he belongs. Owning the 22 yards the way only he can. Well deserved 100. 👏👏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndvBan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndvBan</a></p>
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketaakash/status/1837385168073445568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>Bangladesh resumed fourth innings run chase ahead of tea on day three in Chennai.</p>


Rishabh Pant smashed his sixth Test hundred against Bangladesh on day three of the Chennai Test - joint-most by an Indian keeper batter in this format, announcing his return to Test cricket in some style.

Rishabh Pant smashed his sixth Test hundred against Bangladesh on day three of the Chennai Test - joint-most by an Indian keeper batter in this format, announcing his return to Test cricket in some style. Pant and Gill completed their respective tons in the second innings, with India setting a 515-run target. Fans took to social media to hail Pant’s fighting knock of 109 off 128 balls, including 13 fours and four sixes. Pant and Gill began day three from where they left at stumps the other night, piling on runs at will, with the left-handed batter delivering quickly. In no time, they reached their fifties and soon after marched towards the three-digit score. ALSO READ: IND vs BAN, 1st Test: Rishabh Pant completes epic comeback with hundred on Test return - WATCH In his usual self, Pant took on the Bangladeshi bowlers up-front, attacking pacers and spinners with the same intent. Pant returned to Test cricket for the first time since December 2022, when he suffered multiple injuries in a car crash on New Year’s Eve. He underwent several surgeries that kept him out of on-field cricket for more than a year. Pant returned to competitive cricket in IPL this year, later winning the T20 World Cup with India in the Americas. Picked into the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, Pant got out on 39 in the first innings but completed another Test hundred in the second. India captain Rohit Sharma declared the innings 287 for four, setting a target of 515. While Gill remained unbeaten at 119, KL was on 22 and not out. Check out how fans reacted to Pant’s comeback hundred in Tests. A CENTURY on his return to Test cricket. What a knock this by @RishabhPant17 👏👏 Brings up his 6th Test ton! Live - https://t.co/jV4wK7BgV2…… #INDvBAN@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/A7NhWAjY3Z — BCCI (@BCCI) September 21, 2024 × Keep everything aside, This is the GREATEST COMEBACK❣️ Rishabh pant And Shubman Gill Made Hundred. 🇮🇳#RishabhPant #ShubmanGill #BANvIND pic.twitter.com/GyeiSimIFv — Saurabh kumar (@Saurabhk0096) September 21, 2024 × 𝘒𝘢𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘥𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘵𝘩𝘢, 𝘱𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘩 𝘬𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘨𝘢! 😉 Test Cricket missed you, Spidey! ❤️#RishabhPant #INDvBAN #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/Jy0uRX4hIA — Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) September 21, 2024 × The greatest Indian test wicketkeeper is back - very happy to see your comeback @RishabhPant17 - keep it going - our country has missed you! — Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) September 21, 2024 × Test cricket missed you Rishabh Pant. What a star!💥 #IndvBan — Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) September 21, 2024 × Rishabh Pant as a test player. #INDvBAN | #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/v9sELvHPpS — Sagar (@sagarcasm) September 21, 2024 × Rishabh Pant has same number of centuries as MS Dhoni in Test cricket. Dhoni took 144 innings while Pant did the same in just 58 innings but wait that's not the most Shocking thing, the most shocking thing is while MS Dhoni had no overseas century, Pant has 4 overseas centuries.… pic.twitter.com/m7MePZjJMm — EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) September 21, 2024 × Rishabh Pant will turn 27 next month...over the next decade or so he has all the tools to become an all time great. The building blocks are already in place. He is a generational talent.#INDvBAN — Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) September 21, 2024 × The man who will make you fall in love with Test cricket again. The man who will entertain and ensure that there’s never a dull moment when he’s batting. Rishabh Pant is back. Back to where he belongs. Owning the 22 yards the way only he can. Well deserved 100. 👏👏 #IndvBan — Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 21, 2024 × Bangladesh resumed fourth innings run chase ahead of tea on day three in Chennai.

Rishabh Pant hits memorable hundred on Test return against Bangladesh, fans call it ‘greatest comeback’

<p>Five pitches with "decent amount of grass" have been prepared for the first India-England Test that begins at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 5. The Indian team management will pick the one it deems suitable for the Test and decide on how much grass will be left on the surface.<br />
<br />
The MA Chidambaram Stadium has not hosted competitive cricket since the start of the lockdown in March last year and all eyes are on how the surface would behave.<br />
<br />
Incidentally, the last Test match to be played at the venue was between the same teams over four years ago, in December 2016. India racked up 759/7 wickets with Karun Nair scoring an unbeaten 303 and KL Rahul scoring 199. India went on to win the Test -- 1,443 runs were scored and 27 wickets were captured in the match -- by an innings and 75 runs.<br />
<br />
The 2008 Test in Chennai saw India successfully chase 387 in the fourth innings and win the Test by six wickets.<br />
<br />
The surface for the upcoming first Test -- the second Test will also be played here -- is once again likely to be batting-friendly but it would be slow in nature.<br />
<br />
The biggest change for India will be that they would be in a different zone. Australia pitches were bouncy, flat, and good for batting. But the wickets in India, in Chennai for example, will be slow in nature.<br />
<br />
"The only difference is that the Chennai wicket has more grass than what it had in the past. Because of Covid-19, there was no cricket and the wicket is going to be fresh with grass," said a source.<br />
<br />
"However, grass on the surface doesn`t mean that the ball will seam. It can also turn out to be slow since there has been no cricket for long. Grass is naturally there because there has been no cricket for 9-10 months," he added.<br />
<br />
Overall, India have won five of the nine matches while England have won three. One of the matches has ended as a draw. England`s last of the three wins came in 1985. Since then India have won all the three games between them.<br />
<br />
India`s last defeat in Chennai came way back in 1999 against Pakistan, a game they lost by a close margin of 12 runs.</p>


Five pitches with "decent amount of grass" have been prepared for the first India-England Test that begins at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 5.

Five pitches with "decent amount of grass" have been prepared for the first India-England Test that begins at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 5. The Indian team management will pick the one it deems suitable for the Test and decide on how much grass will be left on the surface. The MA Chidambaram Stadium has not hosted competitive cricket since the start of the lockdown in March last year and all eyes are on how the surface would behave. Incidentally, the last Test match to be played at the venue was between the same teams over four years ago, in December 2016. India racked up 759/7 wickets with Karun Nair scoring an unbeaten 303 and KL Rahul scoring 199. India went on to win the Test -- 1,443 runs were scored and 27 wickets were captured in the match -- by an innings and 75 runs. The 2008 Test in Chennai saw India successfully chase 387 in the fourth innings and win the Test by six wickets. The surface for the upcoming first Test -- the second Test will also be played here -- is once again likely to be batting-friendly but it would be slow in nature. The biggest change for India will be that they would be in a different zone. Australia pitches were bouncy, flat, and good for batting. But the wickets in India, in Chennai for example, will be slow in nature. "The only difference is that the Chennai wicket has more grass than what it had in the past. Because of Covid-19, there was no cricket and the wicket is going to be fresh with grass," said a source. "However, grass on the surface doesn`t mean that the ball will seam. It can also turn out to be slow since there has been no cricket for long. Grass is naturally there because there has been no cricket for 9-10 months," he added. Overall, India have won five of the nine matches while England have won three. One of the matches has ended as a draw. England`s last of the three wins came in 1985. Since then India have won all the three games between them. India`s last defeat in Chennai came way back in 1999 against Pakistan, a game they lost by a close margin of 12 runs.

Ind vs Eng: Chennai pitch likely to be slow despite grass

<p>Opener Lokesh Rahul hit a career-best 199 to power India&#39;s strong reply as England bowlers struggled on day three of the fifth and final Test in Chennai on Sunday.</p>

<p>India were 391 for four at stumps with Karun Nair (71) and Murali Vijay (17) at the crease. The hosts still trail by 86 runs in response to England`s 477.</p>

<p>Rahul shared a 161-run fourth-wicket partnership with Nair before missing out on what could have been his maiden double century.</p>

<p>Rahul, who recorded his fourth Test century, was the ninth batsman in the world to get out on 199 after falling to leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the final moments of the day.</p>

<p>The 24-year-old batsman chased Rashid&#39;s widish delivery on the off-side to give away a catch to point as he crumpled into a heap with hands on head.</p>

<p>Earlier Rahul had surpassed his previous best of 158 as he entertained a raucous Sunday crowd with a couple of reverse sweeps.</p>

<p>He struck 16 fours and 3 sixes during his marathon knock, prompting England skipper Alastair Cook to rotate his bowling options.</p>

<p>The tourists took the second new ball in the 85th over of the innings but Rahul and Nair made sure that India continued to mount the runs.</p>

<p>Nair recorded his maiden Test fifty in just his third match to play the perfect sheet anchor role as Rahul piloted the Indian innings till his departure.</p>

<p>England pacemen worked hard on a batting-friendly MA Chidambaram pitch to claim two crucial wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara (16) and skipper Virat Kohli (15) in the afternoon session.</p>

<p>It was the first time in the series that Kohli, who leads the batting chart with 655 runs, had been out for less than 40. He chipped a drive to extra cover off Stuart Broad.</p>

<p>Overnight batsmen Parthiv Patel and Rahul made England`s bowlers toil earlier in the day with a 152-run opening stand, before Moeen Ali&#39;s off-spin prised out Patel -- the only wicket of the morning session.</p>

<p>It was India&#39;s first century opening partnership in 32 innings even though wicketkeeper Patel was filling in for regular opener Vijay, who got treated for a bruised shoulder before coming into bat.</p>

<p>Patel (71) was undone when he played against the spin of a flighted and sharply turning delivery from Ali to spoon a simple catch to Jos Buttler at cover.</p>

<p>India hold an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-Test series.</p>

<p>(AFP)</p>


Opener KL Rahul scored a fluent hundred while Karun Nair and Parthiv Patel struck fifties to maintain India's stranglehold in the series

Opener Lokesh Rahul hit a career-best 199 to power India's strong reply as England bowlers struggled on day three of the fifth and final Test in Chennai on Sunday. India were 391 for four at stumps with Karun Nair (71) and Murali Vijay (17) at the crease. The hosts still trail by 86 runs in response to England`s 477. Rahul shared a 161-run fourth-wicket partnership with Nair before missing out on what could have been his maiden double century. Rahul, who recorded his fourth Test century, was the ninth batsman in the world to get out on 199 after falling to leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the final moments of the day. The 24-year-old batsman chased Rashid's widish delivery on the off-side to give away a catch to point as he crumpled into a heap with hands on head. Earlier Rahul had surpassed his previous best of 158 as he entertained a raucous Sunday crowd with a couple of reverse sweeps. He struck 16 fours and 3 sixes during his marathon knock, prompting England skipper Alastair Cook to rotate his bowling options. The tourists took the second new ball in the 85th over of the innings but Rahul and Nair made sure that India continued to mount the runs. Nair recorded his maiden Test fifty in just his third match to play the perfect sheet anchor role as Rahul piloted the Indian innings till his departure. England pacemen worked hard on a batting-friendly MA Chidambaram pitch to claim two crucial wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara (16) and skipper Virat Kohli (15) in the afternoon session. It was the first time in the series that Kohli, who leads the batting chart with 655 runs, had been out for less than 40. He chipped a drive to extra cover off Stuart Broad. Overnight batsmen Parthiv Patel and Rahul made England`s bowlers toil earlier in the day with a 152-run opening stand, before Moeen Ali's off-spin prised out Patel -- the only wicket of the morning session. It was India's first century opening partnership in 32 innings even though wicketkeeper Patel was filling in for regular opener Vijay, who got treated for a bruised shoulder before coming into bat. Patel (71) was undone when he played against the spin of a flighted and sharply turning delivery from Ali to spoon a simple catch to Jos Buttler at cover. India hold an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-Test series. (AFP)

Rahul's 199 helps India dominate English bowlers in Chennai Test

<p>India made a strong reply to England&#39;s first-innings total of 477 after half-centuries by debutant Liam Dawson and number nine Adil Rashid underlined the tourists&#39; batting depth in the fifth and final test on Saturday.</p>

<p>India claimed three wickets on the second morning but the 108-run partnership between Dawson and Rashid in a productive second session for the touring side frustrated the hosts.</p>

<p>India&#39;s Murali Vijay hurt his shoulder while fielding and could not come out to bat but the makeshift opening pair of Lokesh Rahul and Parthiv Patel did a decent job, adding 60 runs without being separated.</p>

<p>Rahul was unbeaten on 30 at stumps and the right-hander will be eager to make amends with the bat having dropped centurion Moeen Ali before he had scored on Friday.</p>

<p>Patel was on 29 at the other end with India, who have an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, 417 runs behind on a pitch which has grown easier to bat on.</p>

<p>Earlier, resuming on 284-4, England got an early jolt when Ravichandran Ashwin struck with the day&#39;s fifth delivery at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.</p>

<p>The leading wicket-taker in the series had endured a rare wicketless day on Friday but he lured Ben Stokes on to the front foot to edge a fuller delivery which Parthiv Patel caught behind the stumps.</p>

<p>Paceman Ishant Sharma trapped Jos Buttler lbw for five while Moeen, who resumed on 120, looked ill at ease against the short-pitched deliveries.</p>

<p>The left-hander virtually walked into a trap when Umesh Yadav forced him into playing a pull shot, which the batsman mistimed to find Ravindra Jadeja at deep mid-wicket.</p>

<p>Moeen faced 262 balls for his 146, hitting 13 fours and a six.</p>

<p>Dawson endured a tough test initiation, the second ball he faced from Sharma smacking him on his helmet but the 26-year-old grew in confidence as he and Rashid shared the second century-plus stand of the English innings.</p>

<p>Rashid hit eight fours before edging Yadav to Patel for 60.</p>

<p>Dawson was stranded on 66 not out, including five fours and a six, when Amit Mishra bowled Jake Ball with a googly.</p>

<p>(Reuters)</p>


Impressive half-centuries by debutant Liam Dawson and number nine Adil Rashid helped England post a healthy total after early stutter

India made a strong reply to England's first-innings total of 477 after half-centuries by debutant Liam Dawson and number nine Adil Rashid underlined the tourists' batting depth in the fifth and final test on Saturday. India claimed three wickets on the second morning but the 108-run partnership between Dawson and Rashid in a productive second session for the touring side frustrated the hosts. India's Murali Vijay hurt his shoulder while fielding and could not come out to bat but the makeshift opening pair of Lokesh Rahul and Parthiv Patel did a decent job, adding 60 runs without being separated. Rahul was unbeaten on 30 at stumps and the right-hander will be eager to make amends with the bat having dropped centurion Moeen Ali before he had scored on Friday. Patel was on 29 at the other end with India, who have an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, 417 runs behind on a pitch which has grown easier to bat on. Earlier, resuming on 284-4, England got an early jolt when Ravichandran Ashwin struck with the day's fifth delivery at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The leading wicket-taker in the series had endured a rare wicketless day on Friday but he lured Ben Stokes on to the front foot to edge a fuller delivery which Parthiv Patel caught behind the stumps. Paceman Ishant Sharma trapped Jos Buttler lbw for five while Moeen, who resumed on 120, looked ill at ease against the short-pitched deliveries. The left-hander virtually walked into a trap when Umesh Yadav forced him into playing a pull shot, which the batsman mistimed to find Ravindra Jadeja at deep mid-wicket. Moeen faced 262 balls for his 146, hitting 13 fours and a six. Dawson endured a tough test initiation, the second ball he faced from Sharma smacking him on his helmet but the 26-year-old grew in confidence as he and Rashid shared the second century-plus stand of the English innings. Rashid hit eight fours before edging Yadav to Patel for 60. Dawson was stranded on 66 not out, including five fours and a six, when Amit Mishra bowled Jake Ball with a googly. (Reuters)

India off to good start after England's 477 in Chennai Test

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Rahul's 199 helps India dominate English bowlers in Chennai Test

India off to good start after England's 477 in Chennai Test