IND vs ENG: Bashir hands England advantage

Ranchi: The young offspinner Shoaib Bashir showcased his prowess with a four-wicket haul, leaving India struggling at 219 for 7 on day two of the fourth Test here on Saturday. The 20-year-old playing his second Test, dismissed Shubman Gill (38), Rajat Patidar (17) and Ravindra Jadeja (12), causing trouble for India’s top and middle order on a challenging pitch.

After the tea break, Bashir returned to clean up Yashasvi Jaiswal for 73, leaving India trailing by 134 runs. Dhruv Jurel (30) and Kuldeep Yadav (17) forged a resilient partnership, with India concluding the day on 219 for 7.

Jaiswal continued his impressive form, scoring 618 runs in the series with an average of 103. England’s left-arm spinner Tom Hartley (2 for 47) made crucial breakthroughs, including Sarfaraz Khan’s wicket.

India faced early setbacks, losing skipper Rohit Sharma (2) to James Anderson. Gill and Jaiswal then built an 82-run partnership before Bashir’s breakthrough. Patidar and Jadeja couldn’t anchor the innings, falling to Bashir’s skillful bowling.

England added 51 runs on day two, with Joe Root remaining unbeaten on 122. Robinson’s career-best 58 and the eighth-wicket partnership with Root added valuable runs. India’s bowlers struggled, with Mohammed Siraj (2 for 78) and debutant Akash Deep (3 for 38) making some impact. Jadeja contributed with 4 for 67 from his 32.5 overs.