India thumps England by 317 runs and levels the 4-match series 1-1.

Byline By- Vinayak Heliwal

India recorded their biggest win against England after beating them by 317 runs in the second Test in Chennai and leveled the four-match series 1-1.

With the victory India now ended their four-Test match losing streak under Virat Kohli’s captaincy.

India’s victory was crafted by a stellar 161 runs in the first innings by opener Rohit Sharma and then a superb all-round performance from Ravichandran Ashwin sealed the victory for Team India.

Ashwin scalped five wickets in England’s first inning and followed his superb performance by scoring a century in India’s second inning.

Ashwin then returned to haunt England on Day 4 having tormented them with both bat and ball on the previous day kick-started the day by removing Ben Stokes and Lawrence easily.

Debutant Axar Patel was the hero of the day as he scalped five wickets in the second inning and assured that England batsman could not show their resistance on Day 4.

Chasing a record victory target of 482, England were all out for 164 in their second innings with Moeen Ali their top scorer with a breezy 43.

With India going 1-1 in the series against England, the hopes for Team India to qualify in the World Test Championship finals hangs in balance as the Men in Blue need to win the remainder of the two games to play the Final at Lord’s.

The next two matches will be played in Ahmedabad with the third test being a day-night affair and will start from February 24.

India’s win in the second Test ended England’s winning run on foreign soil having won their last six including the first Test against India in Chennai.

Ravichandran Ashwin was declared as the player of the match.