India in commanding 351-run lead over England in the second Test

India are in a commanding position to win the second Test against England with a 351-run lead at lunch on day three.

Joe Root’s men enjoyed a productive morning session with some quick thinking from Ollie Stone first running out Cheteshwar Pujara after he had unluckily got his foot caught in the ground.

A few overs later India were reduced to 55-3 with Ben Foakes stumping India’s dangerman Rohit Sharma, who had 161 in the first innings, off the bowling of Jack Leach.

Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin built a 50-run partnership to consolidate India’s lead

Kohli has looked very determined ans steadied the ship for India after the top order folded

Rishabh Pant came and went, again Foakes stumping him outside his crease off Leach’s bowling. 

Next to go was Ajinkya Rahane, who was caught out by Stone from Moeen Ali’s delivery.

Suddenly India were 86 for 5. Axar Patel came in and added seven runs to the total before being dismissed LBW by Ali.

Cheteshwar Pujara was the first to go with Olly Stone running him out for just seven runs

Some great work from Ben Foakes saw him stump India’s dangerman Rohit Sharma 

There were some encouraging signs there for England but then the hosts wrestled back complete control. 

Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin, intent on pilling more runs on to their lead, built up a damaging partnership as they steered India past a 300-run lead. 

India’s captain, who has struggled this series for runs, looked confident at the crease, and is closing in on a half century with 38 runs from 86 balls.

Foakes was at it again to remove Rishabh Pant as India fell to 86-5 in the morning session

Ollie Pope took a good catch off Moeen Ali’s bowling to dismiss India batsman Ajinkya Rahane

Ashwin’s contribution has been impressive as well and has come in good time with 34 scored off 38 balls with India heading into lunch 156-6.

It’s an important sessions coming up for England next and Root’s men will have to find a way to remove Kohli and Ashwin as soon as possible to get the tail in.

The lead already looks like an impossible task for England, but India seem content on adding to the total before putting England in to bat.