After struggling a bit in the first session, Virat Kohli & Co. had a respite a bit of respite as seamer Mohammad Shami managed to pick two wickets after the lunch break.
Shami played a major role in the brewing partnership of skipper Joe Root and Keaton Jennings. The duo took over the centre stage and troubled the Indian bowling attack for quite a while. But the 27-year-old right-arm pacer solved the problem rising for India.
Jennings tried to defend a short of a length from round the wicket delivery which dropped down by his feet and dribbled back to hit the stumps.
Almost 4 overs later, Shami struck again and this time, he hunted down Dawid Malan on a minimal score of 8 runs.
Despite two losses in the second session, captain Root continued his patient batting performance against the Indian variant bowling strike. Batting alongside Jonny Bairstow, he not only got his 41st Test fifty but also completed 6000 runs in whites. Root got to the landmark in five years and 231 days of his Test career, surpassing former England captain Alastair Cook's mark of five years and 339 days.
Also, it was his 12th half-century against India in 12 successive Tests. In all, he put on 51 runs for the fourth wicket with Bairstow.
Earlier, England consolidated their position despite losing Cook early, reaching 83 for one at lunch after opting to bat.
Ashwin remained the only wicket-taker for India in the pre-lunch session, bowling Cook (13) with a ripper in the ninth over. The ball pitched on middle and turned away to knock back Cook's off-stump.
Brief Scores:
Tea Break
ENG: 163/3 after 54 overs
J Root – 65 (139)*
J Bairstow – 27 (45)*