India vs England 2021, 4th Test: Day 2 – Incredible Rishabh Pant Makes Stronger India's WTC Final Dream

On the second day of the four-match Test series decider, Rishabh Pant’s century secures the handsome lead for the hosts Indian team and set them into a strong position in this Test match.

India started the second day on their overnight score of 24/1. The hosts managed to score 294/7 at the sumps of the day where they have already managed the lead of 89 runs.

India vs England 2021, 4th Test: Day 2 – Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar controlled the day after Rohit Sharma’s fight

England bowlers started the day very strong way as the Indian batsmen were struggling to handle the visiting bowlers. Inside the first hour of the day, Jack Leach brought the breakthrough by dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara for 17 runs.

Captain Virat Kohli once again disappointed with his bat as Ben Stokes took his wicket for a duck. But then opener Rohit Sharma and Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane controlled the innings. But just before the lunch break, James Anderson provided another breakthrough by dismissing Rahane for 27 runs. Rahane and Rohit had 39 runs partnership for the fourth wicket.

Rohit Sharma continued his hard work in the second session of the day. Rohit then had a 41-run partnership with Rishabh Pant for the fifth wicket. But after scoring 49 runs off 144 balls (7 fours), Rohit lost his wicket to Ben Stokes. Jack Leach denied a long partnership between Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin by dismissing Ashwin for 13 runs, while India were struggling on 146/6. At the tea break, the hosts were battling on 153/6 while they were still 52 runs away from England’s first innings total.

But in the third session of the second day, Pant and Washington Sundar‘s 100+ partnership changed the total atmosphere of the match. Pant completed his half-century in 82 balls and then he batted aggressively. With a sixer, Pant completed his third Test century in 115 balls. But then Anderson dismissed Pant for 101 runs off 118 balls (13 fours and 2 sixes). Pant and Sundar had the 113 runs partnership for the seventh wicket.

Soon, Sundar completed his fifty in 96 balls. At the stumps of the day, Sundar was batting on 60 off 117 balls (8 fours) while Axar Patel was not out on 11 runs.

Brief Scores: England – 205 (Ben Stokes 55, Dan Lawrence 46; Axar Patel 4/68)

India – 294/7 (Rishabh Pant 101, Washington Sundar 60*; James Anderson 3/40)

Latest Status (at the stumps of day 2) – India are leading by 89 runs