Courtesy: BCCI
On February 16, 2021, India clinched a 317-run victory against England in the second Test match played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. After losing the first Test at the same venue by a massive margin of 227 runs, it was crucial for Virat Kohli and his men to make a comeback in the series. Batting first after winning the toss, India lost Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara and captain Kohli in quick succession, but Rohit Sharma refused to surrender and delivered a magnificent knock to the team from his bat.
Along with Ajinkya Rahane, he built a 162-run stand to bring the team back on track. Rahane departed after scoring 67, but Rohit didn’t relent and continued his attack on the visitors along with Rishabh Pant, who remained unbeaten with his fifty. Eventually, Rohit departed after racking up only 161 and India posted 329 runs on the board.
Following the total, England struggled against spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel who scalped seven wickets together. Ashwin took a fifer and played a key role in bundling out the English side at a score of 134. In the second innings, skipper Kohli stepped up and struck a fifty. Ashwin, who showcased his mettle with the ball, donned the role of an all-rounder and produced a 106-run innings. India’s second innings ended at a score of 286 which helped them deliver the target of 482 runs to the Joe Root-led pack.
England failed to counter the spin trio
In the second innings, Axar looked extraordinary with the ball again. This time, he led the attack and bagged a fifer. His hunts included England’s mainstay batters Root and Jack Leach. Axar got able support from Ashwin, who sent three batters back to the pavilion. Kuldeep Yadav trapped Ben Foakes and Moeen Ali to take India home, securing a win by 317 runs.
Ashwin’s all-rounder display helped him get the player of the match award. The scintillating victory emboldened India’s confidence as they shook England, who went on to lose the next two matches and failed to win a Test series on India’s soil after nine years.
