CHENNAI (India): India face a world record chase of 420 runs against in the opening Test on Monday.
The hosts lost star batsman Rohit Sharma as they began their bid to overhaul the mammoth target after England were all out for 178 in their second innings on day four.
India recently successfully chased 328 against Australia at Brisbane’s Gabba.
At Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, Ravichandran Ashwin took six wickets to help see England off, before the hosts reached 39 for one at stumps.
Ashwin said he was expecting England to go big on runs in their second innings after deciding against making India follow-on.
“I think the approach was something we expected that they will put 430-440 on the board, so we were also trying to manage our overs accordingly,” said Ashwin.
“I am not sure what went on inside their dressing room, but I’d like to think in Test match cricket the bowlers being tired and coming out to bowl another spell all these things get factored in (when not enforcing the follow on).”
Left-arm spinner Jack Leach bowled Sharma for 12 on a deteriorating pitch.
Shubman Gill, on 15, and Cheteshwar Pujara, on 12, were batting at the close with India needing another 381 runs to win the first of the four Tests.
On a dominant day for spinners, Ashwin claimed his 28th five-wicket haul in England’s second innings that ended into the final hour of play.
