[Watch] R Ashwin's Magic Unfurls As He Takes Down Ben Duckett With A 'Stunning' Ball
Ravichandran Ashwin got India off to a dream start (Twitter)
England's hopes of a robust start in their second innings of the final Test in Dharamsala were dashed early on, as opener Ben Duckett was sent packing for just two runs, leaving England in an abysmal position to steer through troubled waters.
Facing a massive 259-run deficit against India, England's quest for a solid foundation crumbled in just the second over, proof of the perils of their aggressive 'Bazball' approach, which has been both a boon and a bane in the series.
[Watch] Ravichandran Ashwin sent Ben Duckett packing for 2
The Ben Duckett wicket came at the hands of veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who outfoxed the southpaw with a brilliant display of drift and turn. In a bid to break free from the shackles, Duckett charged down the pitch, aiming to dispatch Ashwin down the ground.
However, his ambitions were cut short as he failed to connect, leaving his off stump to pay the price for his fearlessness. This early setback has only added salt to England's wounds, leaving them at a dismal 2/1 after three overs.
Meanwhile, the morning session saw India's tail-enders fold quickly, with Kuldeep Yadav falling to James Anderson, who notched up his 700th Test wicket, a monumental achievement in his illustrious career.
Shoaib Bashir's dismissal of Jasprit Bumrah marked his five-wicket haul, bringing India's innings to a close.
England now faces the Sisyphean task of mounting a comeback against a formidable Indian lead.
Duckett's wicket, a clear illustration of the thin line between bravery and folly in cricket, has now set the stage for what promises to be an exciting conclusion in this five-match IND vs ENG Test series.
 "Jatin")
