England thrashed by 317 runs as rampant India level series

England succumbed to the inevitable crushing defeat on day four of the second Test against India, out-spun and outdone on their way to a 317-run loss in Chennai.
The damage had already been done over the course of three chastening days, with England resuming on 53 for three chasing two equally unrealistic options if they were to get out of jail and preserve their 1-0 series lead.
To win they would need to turn their overnight score into a world-record chase of 482 or to draw they would need to bat for six full sessions on a spinning, spitting minefield.
India wrap it up! đ
They seal a 317-run win and have levelled the series 1-1! #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/NKdpouEO6g
â ICC (@ICC) February 16, 2021
In the end, and to no great surprise, they came nowhere close to either outcome and were bowled out for 164.
Debutant Axar Patel finished with five wickets and there was another couple for player-of-the-match Ravichandran Ashwin, who ended the Test with eight to go with his brilliant second-innings century from number eight.
The margin was England’s heaviest defeat by runs in India, a beating that will need to be parked if the tourists are to hit back in the day-night third Test in Ahmedabad.
There was precious little optimism to take from this final day, but captain Joe Root clung on for over a session for 33 and Moeen Ali added some late spark by hammering five sixes in a bruising cameo before his dismissal ended the match.
Latest
-
News
Lauren Winfield-Hill stars as Oval Invincibles begin title defence with big win
The home side defeated the Northern Superchargers by nine wickets.
-
News
Sam Curran the main man as Oval Invincibles beat Northern Superchargers
Curran scored 60 in his sideâs three-wicket win at the Kia Oval.
-
News
England opener Alex Lees keen to see aggressive approach adopted in county game
The Durham batter has used the break in Test cricket to spread the word.
-
News
âIt was awesomeâ â Will Smeed ends his 90s curse to hit Hundredâs first century
The youngster had fallen short of a maiden century on multiple occasions during the first half of 2022.
-
News
Will Smeed becomes first batter to hit ton in Hundred during Birmingham win
The opener cracked an unbeaten 101 off 50 balls.
-
News
Womenâs game on upward trend and schools an important target â Anya Shrubsole
The 30-year-old pace bowler was restricted to competing against boys during childhood.
-
News
Australia captain Meg Lanning taking break from cricket for personal reasons
The 30-year-old had been due to represent Trent Rockets in The Hundred.
-
News
Tributes pour in for former umpire Rudi Koertzen following death aged 73
The MCC said it was âsaddenedâ to learn of Koertzenâs death.
-
England
Lisa Keightley to step down as England head coach at the end of the summer
The Australian took over in January 2020 and led England to the final of this yearâs World Cup.