Ashwin puts India on top

India seized control of the second Test after their spinners wreaked havoc on a dustbowl and skittled out England for 134 at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium yesterday.

The hosts finished day two on 54-1 for an overall lead of 249 runs on a deteriorating track.

Ashwin returned figures of 5-43 while Ishant and Patel claimed two wickets apiece. "Getting Joe Root as first test wicket must have been really special for him," Ashwin said of left-arm spinner Patel who also dismissed Moeen.

"It was a very important wicket in the context of where the game stands and also Moeen Ali. Those were good snares for a fellow's first game."

England assistant coach Graham Thorpe acknowledged his side would need a special effort to deny India victory.