England set big target for India despite Ashwin six-for

As many as 15 wickets fell on what turned out to be an eventful day of Test cricket in Chennai. First, England had India bowled out for 337 in the morning session, then the hosts' bowlers bounced back, leaving England all out in the final session for 178 from 46.3 overs, setting Virat Kohli and co. a target of 420.

India got off to a steady start in their chase, but lost Rohit Sharma, who hit one four and one six en route to a 20-ball 12, in the sixth over. Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill survived the next six overs, taking their side to 39/1 at the close of play.

India need 381 more runs to win on the final day, while England need to take nine wickets, setting up an intriguing finale.

Earlier, the hosts resumed day four on 257/6 with Washington Sundar (33*) and R Ashwin (8*) at the crease. England, who had posted a solid 578 in their first innings, had walked into the field with an intention to bowl India out as early as possible, with the second new ball due in just six overs.

But Sundar looked in good touch from the start, played against England's spin-bowling duo of Dom Bess and Jack Leach well, as he kept the scoreboard ticking with regular boundaries. It took him only 14 balls in the day to race to his fifty, his second half-century in two Tests.

The next over saw England introducing pace, with a shiny new ball in hand. Ashwin and Sundar continued to tackle the England attack, and a stable partnership was building. The duo shared an 80-run stand before Leach had Ashwin caught behind for 31.

A few overs later, the spinner had accounted for Shahbaz Nadeem's wicket who fell for nought, the extra bounce from the new ball did the trick for Leach yet again. India kept losing from one end but Sundar remained unperturbed as he kept finding gaps, even hitting Anderson and Root for a six.

Soon India lost their tail-enders with Anderson claiming the last wicket of Bumrah, and bowling the hosts out for 337 with Sundar remaining unbeaten on 85 at the other end.

With a lead of 241, England did not enforce the follow-on and sent in their openers Dom Sibley and Rory Burns to bat. India introduced spinner Ashwin in the first over, and got a wicket with the first ball, as Burns edged it to first slip.

In the seventh over, India lost a review when Ashwin thought he had trapped Dan Lawrence in front, but the replays showed the impact was outside off. But the India spinner didn't have to wait for long for a wicket. He had Sibley (16) caught at leg slip, where, Cheteshwar Pujara took a brilliant reflex catch.

A few overs later, Ishant Sharma reached the 300-wicket milestone in Tests, becoming only the third India paceman to achieve the feat, when he dismissed Lawrence lbw for 18.

England kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with skipper Joe Root, who made a sensational 218 in the first innings, falling for 40 this time. Only Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler and Dom Bess made in twenties while the rest of the line-up crumbled.

Despite a good comeback from the Indian bowlers, the visitors had set a solid target on board. Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers for India, with returns of 6/61.