5th Test
Day-2 Afternoon Session Highlights:
India maintains its benefits through the solid partnership between Padikkal and Sarfaraz.
India scored 376/3 before Tea:
India’s dominance persisted through an unbroken 97-run partnership between Sarfaraz Khan (56*) and Devdutt Padikkal (44*) as the lead surged past the 150-run mark by tea on the second day of the fifth Test against England in Dharamsala.
Following the dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in quick succession, Padikkal and Sarfaraz stepped up with a combination of aggressive stroke play and calculated risk-taking.
Despite England’s hopes of exploiting reverse swing, Padikkal’s boundary-hitting spree, including both fortunate and well-timed shots, caught them off guard.
Simultaneously, Sarfaraz, after a cautious start, showcased his prowess against both spin and pace, executing bold strokes such as lofted straight drives and ramps against Wood.
Their partnership swiftly extinguished any glimmer of hope England had of curtailing India’s lead.
Although the session began with Gill punishing Anderson with consecutive boundaries, England’s fortunes turned when Ben Stokes, in his first bowling stint of the series, dismantled Rohit’s stumps with a sublime delivery.
Anderson followed suit by dismissing Gill with a delivery that nipped back and breached his inside edge.
Just as England began to sense a revival, Padikkal and Sarfaraz dashed their aspirations with their resilient stand.
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