- England closed day two on 207 for two, after India posted 445 in first innings
- Ben Duckett finished unbeaten on 133 with Joe Root at the crease alongside him
- Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his 500th Test wicket by removing Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett led England’s fightback against India in the third Test with a superb century off 88 balls.
The opener finished day two unbeaten on 133 and England on 207 for two as they replied strongly to India’s first innings total of 445 in Rajkot.
That was despite Ravichandran Ashwin reaching the milestone of 500 Test wickets by dismissing Zak Crawley for 15 and Mohammed Siraj trapping Ollie Pope lbw for 39.
India added a further 119 runs to their overnight total as England’s bowlers toiled in getting the remaining five wickets.
Ravindra Jadeja made 112 before being caught by Joe Root off his own bowling, before useful contributions of 46 from Dhruv Jurel and 37 from Ashwin frustrated England.
Full report to follow.
Ben Duckett smashed a century off just 88 balls as England tried to fight back in the third Test
![Duckett took the fight to India on day two after the home side had posted a total of 445](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/16/11/81352141-13091629-image-a-64_1708083170290.jpg)
Duckett took the fight to India on day two after the home side had posted a total of 445
![India celebrate after Mohammed Siraj dismissed England's Ollie Pope for 39](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/16/11/81352235-13091629-image-a-77_1708083407065.jpg)
India celebrate after Mohammed Siraj dismissed England’s Ollie Pope for 39
![Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his 500th Test wicket by removing England opener Zak Crawley](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/16/11/81352251-13091629-image-a-78_1708083451248.jpg)
Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his 500th Test wicket by removing England opener Zak Crawley