England closed day two of the third Test against India at 207 for two, a remarkable turnaround after India posted 445 in their first innings.
Ben Duckett was the star of the day, finishing unbeaten on 133 with Joe Root at the crease alongside him.
Duckett's Redemption
Ben Duckett's innings marked a stark contrast from his previous experiences in India, particularly against Ravichandran Ashwin.
Eight years ago, Duckett struggled against Ashwin, but this time, he dominated, making Ashwin and even Jasprit Bumrah look like novices.
Duckett's aggressive batting helped England score at a remarkable rate of more than six runs per over, putting them just 238 runs behind India's total.
A Change in Approach
Duckett's success can be attributed to a change in mentality, as he played his natural attacking game against both spin and seam.
This approach, along with his partnership with Zak Crawley, proved fruitful for England.
Duckett's selection was initially questioned, but his performance has justified the decision made by Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum, and Rob Key.
500th Test Wicket for Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin reached a significant milestone in the match, claiming his 500th Test wicket by dismissing Zak Crawley.
Ashwin's achievement highlights his remarkable career, with an average of 23.
95 and 34 five-wicket hauls to his name.
He has been a key figure in India's bowling attack, often overshadowed but consistently delivering for his team.
Ashwin's Legacy
Ashwin's dominance extends beyond his 500 wickets, as he has been responsible for over 30% of India's total wickets in the matches he has played.
His contribution to the team is unmatched, with more wickets than the next two leading wicket-takers combined.
Ashwin joins an elite group of bowlers to reach 500 Test wickets, with only Muttiah Muralitharan achieving the feat in fewer matches.
Looking Ahead
With Duckett and Root at the crease, England has a chance to bat themselves into a position of superiority in the match.
Despite some missed chances in the field, England's performance on day two has put them in a strong position heading into the remainder of the Test.
