India beat England by 317 runs in the second Test in Chennai to level the four-match series at 1-1.
It was a victory that was never in doubt for the hosts with England looking only to delay the inevitable, eventually succumbing to 164 all out.
The tourists tried their best to be proactive with Moeen Ali showing attacking intent near to the match’s conclusion, but never really offered any partnerships of note.
Dan Lawrence was the first man to fall when he advanced down the ground, but was completely done by a clever delivery by centurion Ravichandran Ashwin, allowing Rishabh Pant to pull off another stumping.
Ben Stokes couldn’t repeat his Ashes Headingley heroics from 2019 as he nicked another Ashwin delivery straight to Virat Kohli to leave England 90-5.
Ollie Pope then tried to attack but paid the price as his shot was straight down the throat of Ishant Sharma who made a routine catch.
England were soon seven down as Ben Foakes couldn’t continue where he left off from the first innings, adding just two to the total before picking out Axal Patel at mid-off.
Frustratingly for Foakes and England, that was the final delivery before the lunch break and England went in at 116-7 with India almost over the line.
The second session was not any better for the tourists as captain Joe Root lasted just one more over before he nicked Axar’s ball to Rahane in the slips.
Ollie Stone then came in next but failed to get off the mark and was dismissed for lbw by Axar.
Stone reviewed the decision but to no avail, as the impact on DRS showing umpires call, meaning the Warwickshire man had to walk back to the pavilion.
The end was in sight for the hosts but not before Moeen offered some entertainment for the England fans awake in the earlier hours of the morning as he smacked Axar for three consecutive sixes to take England to 145-9.
An unlikely and rapid half century was looking likely until he tried to launch Kuldeep, but missed allowing Pant to pull off a routine stumping and wrap up victory for India.
The tourists were all out for 164 and had fallen to a heavy 317-run defeat, levelling the four-match series at 1-1.
Ashwin was awarded the man-of-the-match award for his blistering century in the second innings and bowling figures of 8-96 across both England innings.
All focus now turns to the third Test – a day/night game in Ahmedabad which starts on February 24.
Jonny Bairstow and Mark Wood have joined up with the squad and may feature, as well as Zak Crawley and Jofra Archer potentially returning from injury.
Coverage of the third Test will begin at the much more reasonable time of 9am, live on Channel 4.
By Josh Mann