England go into the final day of the 1st Test against India in Rajkot in the box seat, thanks to Adil Rashid’s 4-114 and Haseeb Hameed’s debut fifty.
The Lancashire teenager's unbeaten 62, with Alistair Cook on 46 in an unbroken opening partnership of 114, means the tourists have an overall lead of 163.
Earlier in the day, Ravichandran Ashwin (64) frustrated England as India’s total of 488 meant they conceded a first innings deficit of just 49.
“To get a lead of 160-odd, we’re in a great position and can perform tomorrow with the ball,” said Yorkshire leg-spinner, Rashid.
“It was a crucial partnership (between Cook & Hameed). Hopefully they can carry on tomorrow.
“Haseeb knows his game, he works hard in the nets. He's a quiet boy but he works very hard.
“He's very organised and has a good temperament. He's tricky to bowl at and uses his feet a lot.
“It was nice to get a long bowl and get into a rhythm,” Rashid added on his own performance with the ball.
“We've got to come back tomorrow morning, put the runs on the board and see what happens."
Resuming on 319-4, India were looking to overhaul England’s first Innings score of 537, but the loss of two late wickets on the previous day had given the visitors some overnight momentum.
With the pitch beginning to spin, England turned quickly to their slow bowlers, with Zafar Ansari making the breakthrough as Ajinkya Rahane (13) was bowled by the Surrey man trying to flick to leg; 349-5.
Indian captain Virat Kohli (40) was next to go, hitting his own wicket trying to work a Rashid ball, but Engand were frustrated by a vital partnership of 64 between Ashwin and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha.
Moeen Ali’s off-spin broke the stand, inducing Saha (35) into a regulation edge and opening up the Indian tail, still 112 runs behind.
While Ashwin continued to impress, Rashid worked his way through the lower-order as Ravindra Jadeja (12) was caught at short leg and Umesh Yadav (5) top-edged into the hands of Ben Stokes.
Ashwin, who posted his 11th half-century in Tests, was caught by at deep-midwicket off Moeen, finally bringing the Indian first innings to an end.
With a session remaining in the day and the pitch opening up to the spinners, Cook and Hameed were left with a testing period.
Following his assured first innings 31, Hameed again looked the part and brought up his maiden fifty with a delightful cut to backward point, off 94 balls.
Cook, at the other end, concluded the day four runs short of his own half-century.
Report by Andy Moore.
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