India keeps its lead thanks to the Padikkal-Sarfaraz stand.

On the second day of the fifth Test match against England at Dharamsala, India’s lead grew above 150 runs by tea thanks to an uninterrupted 97-run partnership between Sarfaraz Khan (56*) and Devdutt Padikkal (44*). After the centurion pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill fell in consecutive overs, the two young hitters got together. With a potential reversal in fortunes, England was optimistic about their prospects.

But Padikkal started off with a barrage of boundaries, some of them streaky and others of them well-timed, and the counterattack caught England off guard. After a sluggish beginning, Sarfaraz also began to open up, showing a particular fondness for England’s spinners. A lofted straight drive and ramp versus Wood were just two of the daring shots he attempted against pace. Because of the two’s shenanigans, England’s slim chance of containing India’s lead was eliminated. Gill signaled India’s intentions at the beginning of the session by tearing up a few boundaries with Anderson.

Ben Stokes gave England the inspiration they needed, as he so frequently does. As the England captain bowled for the first time in the series, it just took one ball to end the partnership with his opponent, Rohit. The delivery straightened ever so little after the inward angle to upset the off pole. Anderson then exacted his revenge on Gill, beating him on the inside edge with a nip-backer that overcame the latter’s clumsy poke. England had found hope after wondering when their next wicket would arrive and then bagging both set batsmen in consecutive overs, but Padikkal and Sarfaraz Khan put an end to it.