Mumbai: While England are still leading by 254 runs, Murali Vijay (70 not out) and Cheteshwar Pujara (47 not out) have put India in command in the fourth Test as the home team ended day two at 146 for 1 here on Friday.
Although the KL Rahul (24) got out early as a Moeen Ali delivery sneaked through his defence to disturb the timber, the 107-run unbeaten stand between Vijay and Pujara made sure that India ended the second day of the Mumbai Test on a positive note.
Earlier, England, who resumed day two at 288 for 5, added 112 runs to their overnight total. India managed to have England on the ropes as Ben Stokes (31), Chris Woakes (11) and Adil Rashid (4) got out even before England had crossed 340-run mark, but Buttler (76), who was playing his third Test since October 2015, and Jake Ball (31), who was dropped when on zero by Virat Kohli in the slips, added 54 runs together and did not allow India to run away with the advantage.
For India, R Ashwin (6/112) and Ravindra Jadeja (4/109) shared the spoils with the ball with the former completing his 23rd five-wicket haul in Test cricket, equalling Kapil Dev’s record.
India started brightly in response to England’s 400, as Rahul - returning from injury - and Vijay cashed in on every opportunity to attack the bowling.
Rahul was undone by Ali but Vijay remained aggressive and freed his arms whenever instinct dictated, being particularly severe on Adil Rashid.
Vijay's attacking mode offered England hope of another wicket before stumps. But the opener rode his luck as his shots had just enough wood on them to tease the fielders and land safely beyond their clutches on the outfield.
Vijay however was wise enough to curtail his shot-making and mixed caution with aggression and together with Pujara did not allow the English spinners to settle into a rhythm. They will look to keep the momentum going and see India bat through the third day to ensure England face a mountain to climb to stay alive in the five-match series.
