India penalized five runs in Rajkot Test for running on the pitch

England blazed away in reply to India’s 445, wiping away nearly half of India’s total in quick time. Centurion Ben Duckett, in particular, was severe against the spinners and Kuldeep Yadav whom he managed to score heavily off with regular sweeps. His opening partner remained relatively staid but played his role well until he mistimed a sweep off the rough, and became R Ashwin’s 500th Test victim.

Earlier, England had managed to keep India in check with a couple of early strikes in the morning session and forced the hosts into a rebuilding mode. First-up, it was James Anderson who got the mint-conditioned second new ball to shape away from Kuldeep Yadav – the nightwatchman – and nicking him off. The centurion, Ravindra Jadeja, perished in the next over when he tried to force Joe Root straight down the ground but ended up presenting an easy return catch to the bowler.

Having lost 5/2 in the morning session to slip to 331/7, India were at risk of being bowled out for a below-par total on a benign pitch. That apprehension was negated through a solid stand between debutant Dhruv Jurel and R Ashwin who both showed plenty of application in line with the demand of the situation. There were boundary opportunities coming their way once in a while with the surface still not holding any demons, and it helped the duo push the scoring rate along steadily.

However, the set batters departed after Lunch. Ashwin stepped out to hit Rehan Ahmed flat and hard to mid-on while Jurel miscued the cut against the leg-spinner, with Ben Foakes pouching the fat edge very well. Jsprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj added 30 before Mark Wood wrapped the Indian innings up to finish with a four-wicket haul.

India was slapped a five-run penalty as a result of Ravichandran Ashwin running along the middle of the pitch. While this was Ashwin’s first such offence of the innings, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja had been warned on Thursday for the same. The dual warning meant England started their innings with 5 for no loss.