England 103/5 at the end of day 2

Ever since India took the move to empower R Ashwin, the batsman, by placing him at No. 6, he has responded very well to it. The move was a vote of confidence in Ashwin’s batting after significant contributions from lower down the order.

His scores ever since have been indication of the faith being repayed in kind. Just like he took to bowling, the batting too has been an immediate success.

There have been comparisons made, purely because of batting style, with VVS Laxman. Ashwin appeared embarrassed about it after the end of the second day’s play in Vizag. “I just hope the comparison [with Laxman] ends there,” he laughed.

Brief Scores:

India 1st innings: 455 all out in 129.4 overs (Virat Kohli 167, Cheteshwar Pujara 119; James Anderson 3/62, Moeen Ali 3/98).

England 1st innings: 103/5 in 49 overs. (Joe Root 53; R Ashwin 2/20).