Pujara ton helps India take lead, Moeen stars with ball for England

Cheteshwar Pujara produced a magnificent unbeaten 132 to guide India to 273 all out in their first innings and secure a 27-run lead over England on the second day of the fourth Test at the Rose Bowl Cricket Stadium on Friday.

At stumps, England were 6/0 in their second innings and trailed India by 21 runs. Alastair Cook was unbeaten on 2, while Keaton Jennings was batting on 4.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah bowled a couple of overs each for India.

India, replying to England's first-innings total of 246, resumed the day at 19/0. However, Stuart Broad dismissed openers K.L. Rahul (19) and Shikhar Dhawan (23) in quick succession.

Pujara then anchored the innings and put together a 92-run partnership with captain Virat Kohli, who scored 46. The Saurashtra batsman played the spinners confidently, using his feet effectively and maintaining his concentration through a difficult middle order.

He later added 32 runs with Ishant Sharma (14) and 46 with Jasprit Bumrah (6), shepherding the tail and ensuring India gained a crucial lead.

Pujara reached his century by hitting Moeen Ali over the bowler's head for two runs. He faced 257 deliveries and struck 16 boundaries during his unbeaten 132.

Moeen was England's most successful bowler, claiming 5/63, while Broad finished with 3/63.

Earlier, Rahul and Dhawan added 18 runs to India's overnight score before Broad trapped Rahul. Dhawan soon edged another Broad delivery, with wicketkeeper Jos Buttler completing the catch.

Pujara and Kohli then rebuilt India's innings, taking the score from 37/2 to 100. Kohli also reached the milestone of 6,000 Test runs, becoming the fastest Indian to achieve the feat. He reached the mark in 115 innings, surpassing Sunil Gavaskar's previous record of 117 innings.

England fought back in the second session, reducing India to 181/5 by tea. Kohli was dismissed by Sam Curran for 46, while Ben Stokes removed vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane for 11.

Rishabh Pant struggled to get going, facing 29 balls without scoring before Moeen trapped him lbw. Pant and Pujara had added 20 runs.

In the final session, Moeen continued his impressive spell, dismissing Hardik Pandya (4), Ashwin (1) and Ishant Sharma (14) to complete his five-wicket haul. Broad accounted for Bumrah to end India's innings.

Brief scores: England 246 & 6/0 (Alastair Cook 2*, Keaton Jennings 4*); India 273 all out (Cheteshwar Pujara 132*, Virat Kohli 46; Moeen Ali 5/63, Stuart Broad 3/63). India lead by 21 runs.