Second Test: Bowlers help India defeat England by 106 runs

VISAKHAPATNAM: Brilliant bowling spells from Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin helped India overcome a fighting England as they levelled the series with a 106-run win in the second Test at Visakhapatnam on Sunday. India has levelled the five-match series 1-1.

Chasing a target of 399 runs, England started the day four at 67/1, with opener Zak Crawley (29 not out) and Rehan Ahmed (9 not out) at the crease. England kept going with their aggressive approach as Rehan targetted spinner Axar Patel and Crawley smashed Jasprit Bumrah for two cracking fours. However, Axar soon swung things in India's way, removing Rehan for 23 in 21 balls. England was 95/2. England reached the 100-run mark in 22.1 overs. Crawley reached his half-century in 83 balls, with seven fours and a six. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin sent the English camp into worries once again, getting Ollie caught by skipper Rohit at slips for 23 and getting the big scalp of Joe Root for 16 in 10 balls. Crawley was punishing bowlers as usual and along with Bairstow seemed to bring England back on track and towards the 200-run mark.

However, Kuldeep Yadav changed the game, trapping Crawley leg-before wicket for 73 in 132 balls. In the next over, Bairstow was removed for 26 in 36 balls by Bumrah with another lbw. England sunk to 194/6 at the end of the first session. Skipper Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes tried to stitch a partnership. However, disaster struck for England as Stokes got run out for just 11 runs in 29 balls. Shreyas Iyer's remarkable effort saw him assist India in removing England's crisis man. Foakes was next joined by Tom Hartley. A half-century partnership was up between Foakes and Hartley in just 63 balls and it seemed England could breathe a little.

However, Foakes (36 in 69 balls) threw his wicket with a soft dismissal, with the catch landing in Jasprit Bumrah's hands, who got his second wicket. Pacer Mukesh Kumar then removed the debutant Shoaib Bashir for an eight-ball duck after being caught behind by KS Bharat. England was 281/9, 118 runs away from a victory, but with just a wicket left. Bumrah got the final wicket, cleaning up Hartley for 36. England was bundled out for 292 and lost by 106 runs.

Bumrah (3/46) and Ashwin (3/72) were the pick of the bowlers for India. Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh and Axar Patel managed to get a wicket each. Bumrah was adjudged the player of the match for his outstanding performance with the ball.