For the fifth consecutive Test match, England's tail wagged as Virat Kohli and the Indian bowlers failed to conjure up a plan to restrict the hosts to a below-par total. Resuming Day Two on 198 for seven, Jos Buttler sparkled on his birthday to score a brilliant 89 which propelled England to a competitive first innings total of 332 here on Saturday.

In response, India were reduced to 174 for six with debutant Hanuma Vihari on 25 and Ravindra Jadeja on eight. But while Buttler was at his scintillating best, Kohli made it easy for the England No.7 by employing defensive field settings right from the outset. The pitch had quickened up considerably on Day Two and the Indian bowlers zipped the ball off the surface. Adil Rashid hung around for 35 minutes before Jasprit Bumrah trapped him in front for 15. But from that point onwards, Kohli went on the defensive by placing fielders where the ball went and in the process allowed Buttler to accumulate runs at relative ease.