last wicket pair of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami produced a stunning rearguard century partnership as India recovered from a dramatic middle-order collapse to post a commendable 457 in their first innings on the second day of the opening Test against England, here on Thursday.
Bhuvneshwar (58) and Shami (51 not out) turned out to the unlikely batting heroes for India as they pulled the team out of trouble with a defined 111-run partnership to frustrate the hosts, who had the visitors reeling at 346 for nine at one stage with fours wickets falling for just two runs in a span of 20 balls.
At stumps, England were 43 for one with Shami (1/15) removing an out-of-form rival skipper Alastair Cook for five. The hosts still trail India by 414 runs with three full days play left in the match.
Sam Robson (20 not out off 48 balls, 2 fours) and Gary Ballance (15 not out off 46 balls, 1 four) were at the crease when stumps were drawn. The duo added 34 unbeaten runs for the second wicket.
But the day belonged to India’s tailenders — Bhuvneshwar and Shami — who struck their maiden Test fifties respectively en route to their century partnership, which incidentally is India’s second highest stand for the last wicket.
Earlier, opener Murali Vijay struck a fine 146-run knock while skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni made 82 to take India forward.
India captain Dhoni deployed all his five primary bowlers — Bhuvneshwar (0/12), Shami, Ishant Sharma (0/12), Ravindra Jadeja (0/3) and Stuart Binny (0/1) — in short bursts in the 17 overs they managed in the day.
Earlier, Bhuvneshwar reached his maiden Test fifty immediately after tea in 133 balls, in the 157th over of the innings.
Shami was not to be left behind as he smashed James Anderson for a six over the long-off boundary in the last ball of the same over to bring up his own maiden Test fifty off 73 balls.
With his pacers tiring out and devoid of any ideas, Cook brought back Moeen into the attack in the 161st over and the move worked as Bhuvneshwar was holed out to Joe Root as mid-on while going for a big shot to drew curtains to the stunning last-wicket partnership.
Bhuvneshwar scored his runs off 149 balls with the help of five fours, while Shami remained unbeaten on 51 off 81 balls during which he hit six boundaries and one six.
Brief Scores
India: 457 in 161 overs (Murali Vijay 146, M S Dhoni 82, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 58, Mohammed Shami 51 not out; James Anderson 3/123) lead England: 43/1 in 17 overs (Sam Robson 20 batting, Gary Ballance 15 not out; Mohammed Shami 1/15) by 414 runs at stumps on Day 2.
