It's two-nil with two to play

England, starting the day at 78/4 and still 56 runs behind, kept India on the field for a little longer than they expected as Joe Root (78, 251m, 179b, 6x4) and then the impressive teenager Haseeb Hameed (59 n.o, 170m, 156b, 6x4, 1x6) played fine knocks to steer them to 236 all out at the I S Bindra Stadium.

Chasing a victory target of 103, stand-in wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel cracked a pulsating 67 not out (80m, 54b, 11x4, 1x6) as the hosts raced to 104/2 in just 20.2 overs. India thus took a 2-0 lead, standing just a draw away from ending the visitors’ stranglehold over them. India have lost the last three series against England, including the one at home in 2012-13.

India made a perfect start to the day’s proceedings when Ravindra Jadeja dismissed nightwatchman Gareth Batty with the second ball. Soon the adventurous Jos Buttler also departed to Jayant Yadav after playing one shot too many as Indians made two strikes within the opening hour itself.

Having smelt blood, Virat Kohli then introduced Ravichandran Ashwin after keeping his trump card under wraps in the morning winter chill. The off-spinner started spitting venom from the first ball itself, troubling the well set Root and Hameed, who walked in at No 8 with the little finger of his left hand fractured from the blow he received in the first innings.

Despite being under the gun, Root and Hameed, both very good players of spin, refused to get cowed down and chose to attack Ashwin in a bid to upset his rhythm. While Root employed the sweep shot, Hameed moved across the off-stump, forcing the Tamil Nadu bowler to change his trajectory. A nice battle ensued as England got past India and hoped to set the hosts a substantial target.

Jadeja (2/62), enjoying a brilliant outing here, brought India back into the contest with a fine delivery to dismiss Root. He induced an edge from the prodding right-hander and Ajinkya Rahane completed a stunning one-handed catch to his left a little before lunch to leave England in dire straits at 152/7. Mohammed Shami then bowled an exceptional over with the new ball immediately after lunch. He hit Chris Woakes on the helmet with his first ball and the all-rounder, totally rattled after seeing his neck piece come crashing down, gloved the next bouncer to Parthiv while fending. Two balls later, Adil Rashid departed while trying to hook another Shami short ball.

Hameed, showing exceptional temperament for a 19-year-old playing just his third Test match, then batted brilliantly with last man James Anderson. Changing gears in a flash, he played some superb strokes off Ashwin as the lead jumped past 100. His single-handed determination to stretch India however ended about 30 minutes before tea when Anderson was run-out while attempting a two.

India suffered an early wobble in pursuit of their target, losing Murali Vijay to pacer Woakes. But Parthiv, playing his first Test in eight years, and the in-form Cheteshwar Pujara ensured there was no further drama although the latter perished with victory in sight. Parthiv played some rasping shots to flatten the English attack. Brilliant square of the wicket and taking on the spinners with utter disdain, Parthiv simply made the job look very easy. Deservedly, he brought up victory with a four, both he and skipper Virat Kohli punching the air in delight.