Dharamsala, March 8, 2024 – The second day of the 5th Test between India and England saw the hosts taking a commanding position, thanks to stellar performances from Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Kuldeep Yadav.
India’s openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, brought up a 100-run stand against England. Sharma, on 52, and Gill, on 26, were batting at the close of play. This followed a dominant opening day for the hosts, where Yadav took five wickets to bundle England out for 218.
Yadav returned figures of 5-72, with fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin – playing his landmark 100th Test – taking four wickets1. The spinners helped India bowl out the visitors in just 57.4 overs. India reached 135-1 at stumps at the picturesque Dharamsala stadium, still trailing England by 83 runs.
The in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for 57, but the day’s standout performer was Yadav1. His left-arm wrist spin left England bamboozled after the tourists had raced to 137-2, riding off Zak Crawley’s 79.
As the day progressed, India’s score crossed the 200-run mark, with Gill bringing up his 7th half-century in Tests. His fifty came off just 64 balls1. Gill also crossed 400 runs in the series, becoming the third-highest run-getter.
With the pitch offering turn, the Indian spinners will be looking to exploit the conditions on Day 3. The match is poised interestingly, and the next couple of days promise exciting cricket.