Ravichandran Ashwin continued his remarkable form as he scored a fighting century in India's second innings to go with a five-wicket haul in the first as Virat Kohli's team took complete control of the Chennai Test.
Chasing a record 482 for an improbable victory, England endured a top order collapse to finish day three on 53-3, still 429 behind at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Joe Root was batting on two at close while Dan Lawrence was on 19 with England, who managed 134 in their first innings, risking a defeat inside four days.
The pitch continued to play tricks throughout the day and the hosts were themselves staring down the barrel at 106-6. But captain Kohli and Ashwin showed how to master such tracks as India posted 286 in their second innings.
Resuming their second innings on 54-1, India lost five wickets in the morning session with Ben Foakes spending a busy 28th birthday behind the stumps.
Foakes ran out Cheteshwar Pujara in the very first over in a bizarre dismissal.
Having stepped out to defend a ball, Pujara was trying to make his ground when he jammed his bat on the crease and lost his grip. Foakes whipped off the bail before Pujara could get his foot back in.
The wicketkeeper then pulled off two sharp stumpings off Jack Leach (4-100) to send back Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant. Ajinkya Rahane did not last long either but Kohli forged a 96-run partnership with Ashwin to steady the innings.
A moment to cherish forever! @ashwinravi99 gets his Test💯 in Chennai and Md. Siraj erupts in joy. The dressing room stands up to applaud.🙌🏾 #TeamIndia #INDvENG @paytm pic.twitter.com/ykrBhsiTbl
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 15, 2021
The India captain curbed his natural free-flowing game during his patient knock of 62. Moeen Ali (4-98) dismissed Kohli for the second time in the match but Ashwin kept going at the other end.
Batting with number 11 batsman Mohammed Siraj, Ashwin smacked Moeen for a six to reach 97, took two runs off the next delivery, and followed it with a streaky four to reach hundred in front of his home crowd.
This was the third time Ashwin, who claimed 5-43 in England's first innings, scored a century and took five wickets in the same Test.
Ashwin's 106, his fifth Test century, included 14 boundaries and a six.
On his return to the field, the off-spinner claimed the wicket of Rory Burns while Axar Patel dismissed Dom Sibley and nightwatchman Leach.
After the day's play Ashwin said adding the sweep shot to his game played a big role in him mastering the conditions.
"The last time I was sweeping was when I was 19 years old and was dropped from the first XI after I got out," Ashwin said. "I have started practicing the sweep; I can't say if it has just been happening over the last three days. [Batting coach] Vikram Rathour has been helpful in exploring new options."
