AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — Virat Kohli was dismissed without scoring for the second time in the series as England hit back with three wickets to restrict India at 80-4 at lunch on the second day of the fourth and final test on Friday.
Kohli, who was out without scoring in the second test at Chennai, was caught behind off Ben Stokes for an eight-ball duck. It was Kohli’s two scores of 0 in a test series for only second time in his career since 2014.
Stokes also held onto a sharp catch in the last over before lunch on the second day to remove Ajinkya Rahane for 27 to leave India trailing by 125 runs in the first innings.
Rohit Sharma, who resumed on overnight 8, was unbeaten on 32 off 106 balls with only four boundaries as England didn’t allow the Indian opener to play in his usual flamboyant style.
Resuming on 24-1, James Anderson (2-7) pinned down Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara by bowling three more maiden overs to go along with his overnight five maiden overs in a row.
England buckled down both batsmen by leaking only 16 runs off 12 overs before left-arm spinner Jack Leach provided the breakthrough when he had Pujara lbw for 17 off a flatter delivery.
Rahane looked comfortable against both spin and pace and hit four boundaries before Anderson came back for his return spell and found the outside edge of Rahane’s bat to lead England’s fightback.
A win or draw for India will send it into the world test championship final against New Zealand in June. Australia could also be in the final against New Zealand if India loses.
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