Dharamshala, 08 March: India tightened their grip on the Dharamsala Test against England, ending Day 2 with a commanding lead of 255 runs. The hosts posted a mammoth 473 runs on the board for the loss of eight wickets, with tailenders Kuldeep Yadav (27*) and Jasprit Bumrah (19*) forging an unbeaten 45-run partnership.
Despite losing seven wickets on the second day, India's batsmen displayed aggressive intent, reaching a strong total. Openers Rohit Sharma (103) and Shubman Gill (110) laid the foundation with well-paced centuries. Rohit fell prey to England captain Ben Stokes' pace attack, smashing 13 boundaries and 3 sixes. Shubman continued the onslaught before departing to James Anderson, having struck 12 fours and 5 sixes in his 150-ball knock.
Sarfaraz Khan (56) and debutant Devdutt Padikkal (65) kept the momentum going with attacking half-centuries. Padikkal, in his maiden Test, impressed with 10 fours and a six during his 103-ball innings. Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel contributed scores of 15 each, while Ravichandran Ashwin was dismissed without scoring.
England's bowling attack was led by spinner Shoaib Bashir, who picked up four wickets. Tom Hartley chipped in with two wickets, while James Anderson and Ben Stokes took one wicket apiece.
With two days remaining in the Test, India will be looking to extend their lead and put themselves in a position to dictate terms.
