Having conceded a 46-run lead, India are fighting back nicely in the Ranchi Test. Ravichandran Ashwin got rid of Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope off successive balls, but Zac Crawley launched a counterattack to keep the hosts on the mat. Ashwin wrestled the advantage again for India by trapping Joe Root in front.
Jonny Bairstow joined Crawley’s party but Kuldeep Yadav troubled batters on arrival and he accounted for Crawley and captain Ben Stokes eventually. England’s lead stands at 166 now and if India can keep this under 230 they will be confident of chasing the total down. The pitch is tricky but not unplayable. Whatever the target is, India will have to really bat well. England need another breezy partnership to consolidate their position in the game. They have got two so far, they need at least one more to put the home side under significant pressure at the JSCA International Stadium Complex.
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