IND vs ENG, 2nd Test: Shubman Gill Ton Powers India to Imposing 399-Run Target

Vishakhapatnam: Shubman Gill rediscovered his touch with a gritty century as India set a mammoth 399-run target for England on day three of the second Test. England, leading the series 1-0, closed the day at 67-1, with opener Ben Duckett falling for 28. Gill’s century, his third in Tests, guided India to a total of 255. England’s task now is to chase down the record target, surpassing the highest successful fourth-innings chase against India, set at 378 in 2022.

After early blows from James Anderson, Gill (104) steadied the ship with crucial partnerships, including an 89-run stand with Axar Patel (45). His third Test hundred, his first in a year, helped India recover from 122-4.

Tom Hartley (4-77) and debutant spinner Shoaib Bashir (3-69) shared seven wickets to bowl out India for 255. Gill’s dismissal halted India’s momentum.

Openers Zak Crawley (29*) and Ben Duckett (28) put on a fifty-run stand before Ravichandran Ashwin trapped Duckett LBW. Nightwatchman Rehan Ahmed (9*) joined Crawley at the close.

The highest successful fourth-innings chase against India stands at 378, achieved by England in 2022. The match is poised for an exciting finish as England require another 332 runs for victory.