Kohli hits 81, India allout for 204, set England 405 to win

Virat Kohli struck a well-compiled 81 before a 42-run last wicket partnership helped India set England an improbable 405 target on day four of the second cricket Test here today.
India were dismissed for 204 in 63.1 overs at lunch after resuming their second innings at 98-3.
Besides Kohli's 81, it was Mohammad Shami (19) and Jayant Yadav (27 not out) who helped India set England an imposing 400-plus total.
For England, seamer Stuart Broad (4/33) and leg-spinner Adil Rashid (4/82) returned with four-wickets hauls.
Earlier, Kohli batted with class and majesty, stroking out shots all around the park in his 109-ball knock, studded with four boundaries but before he could notch up yet another century Ben Stokes' brilliant one-handed catch at the slip ended his stay.

Looking effortless all around the park, Kohli went for an expansive powerful drive throwing his bat wide of his body as the ball looped high in the air and looked as if it went past the giant frame of Stokes at the slip.

Having caught Kohli in the first innings from the same position, the English allrounder displayed some freakish reflex leaping high, throwing his body in the air before clinging on to the ball with his right hand behind his body in a high-class stuff.
With Kohli showing some frustration going back, Stokes remained nonchalant but by then the lead had surpassed 350 and Jadeja started playing freely to step up the run-rate.

Kohli departure after Stokes' brilliance saw India losing two more wickets -- Ravindra Jadeja (14) and Umesh Yadav (0) -- without any addition to the the tally.
But Mohammad Shami slamed a 22-ball 19 studded with two sixes and one four as he along with Jayant Yadav (27 not out; 4x4) added 42 runs from 58 balls in an extended lunch session.
India's second innings eventually folded for 204 in 63.1 overs after Moeen Ali (1/9) ended Shami's quickfire innings.
Earlier, Stuart Board led England's fightback as he claimed 4/33, while legspinner Adil Rashid returned with 4/82 but they struggled to dismiss the tail with some counterattack by the duo of Shami and Jayant.

Defeat looking imminent, the embattled England found some solace in Stuart Board's incisive bowling after India resumed in the penultimate morning on 98/3.
The tall pacer defied a strained tendon in his right forefoot and bowled a fine spell of 8-0-27-2, dismissing the overnight batsman Ajinkya Rahane (26) and Ravichandran Ashwin (7).
As his partnership with Kohli began to grow, Rahane was done in by an unplayable delivery that seemingly rose awkwardly from a crack before kissing his gloves and was gloved by Jonny Bairstow.
The sharp bounce and the crack was a welcome sign for Indian bowlers and concern for the English batsmen who would bat last on a worn-out Dr YSR Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium pitch.

Having survived on six after a successful referral, Ashwin did not last long and became Broad's fourth victim edging one behind the stumps.