Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow posted half-centuries as England reached 191/6 in their first innings at lunch on the third day of the second cricket Test against India.

Stokes was unbeaten on 55 at the break with Adil Rashid batting on one at the other end at the VDCA Cricket Stadium.

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Stokes has hit eight boundaries off the 129 deliveries he has faced so far.

Bairstow also played a crucial role as the visitors went about their attempt to salvage the innings after losing quick wickets on Friday.

The right-hander scored 53 runs off 152 balls with five hits to the fence before fast bowler Umesh Yadav uprooted his middle stump shortly before lunch.

Brief scores:

England (first innings): 191/6 (Ben Stokes 55 batting, Jonny Bairstow 53; Ravichandran Ashwin 2-53) vs India 455.

IANS

Off-spinner Moeen Ali put India on the backfoot, claiming three quick wickets in the morning session as the hosts reached 415/7 at lunch on day two of the second Test against England at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.

Resuming at 317/4, India started well with skipper Virat Kohli and all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin taking India over the 350-run mark before Ali removed Kohli for a brilliant 167 and then dismissed stumper Wriddhiman Saha (3) and Ravindra Jadeja (0).

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Ashwin (47 not out) and debutant Jayant Yadav (26 not out) were at the crease when the umpires called for lunch.

Brief Scores: India 415/7 (Virat Kohli 167, Cheteshwar Pujara 119, Ravichandran 47 not out, James Anderson 3-62, Moeen Ali 3-77)

IANS