Mumbai: Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara starred with the bat while R Ashwin bowled beautifully to ensure that India have a good night’s sleep on Day 2 against England in the fourth Test match, here on Friday.

R Ashwin eats fifers for breakfasts, lunches and dinners and he had another one as he completed his 23rd 5-wicket haul and equalled Kapil Dev’s tally. The only two ahead of him on the list now are Harbhajan Singh and present coach Anil Kumble. R Ashwin’s performance was a big moment in the game and R Jadeja and R Ashwin shared all the 10 wickets within themselves 6 for Ashwin 4 for Jadeja, who was outstanding too.

A big turning point in the game was Jos Buttler and Jake Ball’s ninth wicket partnership of worth 54 runs in 15.2 overs. The score was 334/8 when Ball joined Buttler and England could well have been bowled under 350. However, they reached the 400 runs mark, courtesy this partnership. Ball made 31 while Butler batted till the end and ensured England got 400 before departing as the last man after scoring 76.

When India came into bat Pujara and Vijay made sure that India lost only one wicket in the 52 overs they faced. It could have swayed in England's favour in the 32nd over had Jonny Bairstow, the wicket-keeper, converted a stumping chance. Vijay, then on 45, seemed to have picked the googly from Rashid, but was a bit lazy on the flick. Bairstow was perhaps blinded because he did not react until the ball hit his left thigh and wandered off to fine leg. England failed to create more chances like these but this certainly was another turning point during the match.

The match is equally poised at the moment, with England just a notch ahead. If India play out Day 3 without coming on to field they would well be ahead in the game. A great cricketing feast awaits us.

At Stumps Day 2

England 400

India 146/1 (52.0 overs)

India trail by 254 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the 1st innings