Making his Test debut for India in the second Test match against England, Axar Patel had a dream start to life in the longest format, taking the wicket of the opposition skipper Joe Root. Root could only muster six runs off 12 deliveries, and Axar's dismissal turned out to be a big moment for the hosts on Day 2 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Root, who scored a double hundred in the first Test match, tried to sweep Axar's delivery in the 11th over, but top edged it to Ravichandran Ashwin for an easy catch at short fine leg. After the England captain's exit, the visitors were 21 for three after 10.3 overs.
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With India posting a first innings total of 329 runs, England found themselves in a precarious situation.
The visitors were 39 for four at lunch.
Other than Axar, Ishant Sharma scalped the wicket of Rory Burns, and Ravichandran Ashwin took the wickets of Dom Sibley, Dan Lawrence and Ben Stokes (in the post-lunch session).
India bounced back after a disappointing display in the first Test match, with Rohit Sharma scoring a century in the first innings in Chennai. His 161-run knock consisted of 18 fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant also registered half-centuries.
The hosts will be aiming to continue with their fine form, and level the series. The visitors won the first Test match by 227 runs.