NEW DELHI: Pacer
Jasprit Bumrah
starred with a nine-wicket haul to propel India to a 106-run victory over England in the second Test on Monday, leveling the five-match series.
England, tasked with a daunting chase of 399, succumbed for 292 in the second session on day four in Visakhapatnam, despite a spirited start and
Zak Crawley
's resilient 73.
AS IT HAPPENED: INDIA vs ENGLAND, 2nd Test
Bumrah, alongside spinner
Ravichandran Ashwin
, who stood on the cusp of his 500th Test wicket, claimed three scalps each in the final innings, with the pace spearhead dismissing Tom Hartley to seal the win.
Shubman Gill laid the foundation for India's comeback with his magnificent 104 on day three, setting England, who had won the opening Test, a challenging target.
England commenced their chase with aggressive intent, exemplifying their trademark "Bazball" style, as Crawley and his teammates continued to find boundaries despite losing wickets along the way.
Axar Patel made the breakthrough, trapping Rehan Ahmed lbw for 23 after the nightwatchman's brisk knock of five fours off 31 balls.
Ollie Pope showcased attacking flair with five boundaries before falling to Ashwin for 23, caught at slip.
Joe Root, seemingly unaffected by his finger injury, played audacious reverse sweeps for two fours before departing for 16, attempting a slog off Ashwin, who remains on the verge of the 500-wicket milestone.
England's momentum was derailed with two quick wickets just before lunch, including Crawley's dismissal lbw off left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, upheld after a successful Indian review.
Jonny Bairstow followed suit four balls later, leaving England reeling at 194-6.
Despite captain Ben Stokes' efforts to reignite the chase post lunch, a direct hit by
Shreyas Iyer
resulted in the left-hander's run-out for 11 as he sought a quick single.
Ben Foakes (36) and Hartley (also 36) staged a resilient partnership of 55, but Bumrah's breakthrough, dismissing Foakes caught and bowled, broke the stand.
England persisted with their fearless approach, a hallmark of their success under coach Brendon McCullum, nicknamed "Baz," and Stokes.
Bumrah's impactful performance included six wickets in England's first innings total of 253, pivotal in securing a crucial 143-run lead for India.
Veteran England pacer James Anderson claimed a five-wicket haul in the match, taking his Test tally to 695 in a illustrious career spanning since 2003.
The third Test commences on February 15 in Rajkot, with both teams taking a break beforehand, with England expected to fly to the United Arab Emirates for a week.
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