India vs England: Rohit, Pujara played me particularly well, says Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali bagged 4 wickets when England pitched India for 329 in the first innings. India then responded with 134 runs to concede a 195-run lead.

AP Photo

STAND OUT

  • Moeen Ali chose 4 plots in India’s first inning of the second ongoing test
  • India went 54-for-1 in stumps on Day 2 with a 249 run lead over England
  • England had won the first Test by 227 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the 4-game series.

England bowler Moeen Ali said he was not allowed to settle despite being chosen by the bowlers during India’s first inning in the second test in Chennai.

Moeen pocketed 4 wickets when England pitched India for 329 in the first innings. The visitors then responded with 134 runs to concede a 195-run lead.

“Yesterday I felt like I was playing very well. They wouldn’t let me settle, Rohit and Pujara played me particularly well and they never let me play the way I wanted. Getting four fields was nice and I know if I had played the practice games I would have done better. Virat is a brilliant spin player, getting him out was great, it was a good ball.

“The preparation has been tough. I didn’t play any games because I scratched my finger and bowling is different from bowling on the nets. I think we just have to fight, it will be difficult for us to win or draw this game.

“We need to show some bat and ball fighting. The pitch is huge here. The difference between the two sides was Rohit’s tackle and he just took it away from us,” Moeen Ali said.

India took control of the second round after its spinners wreaked havoc in a dust bowl and swept England by 134 at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

The hosts finished the second day 54-1 for a 249-race overall lead on a deteriorating track.

Rohit Sharma, who made a magnificent 161 in the first innings, was undefeated with 25 in the closing with Cheteshwar Pujara with seven.

Previously, Moeen Ali and Olly Stone split India’s final four wickets as the hosts added 29 runs to their score overnight before hitting 329 in their first innings.