England wickets tumble after India's Kohli hits double ton
Virat Kohli smashed an imperious double century before England slumped to 182 for 6 in their second innings as India closed in on victory in the fourth Test on Sunday. The captain's 235 was his third double ton of a golden year and he was ably supported by Jayant Yadav, who scored a maiden Test century as the home side reached an imposing 631 in their first innings. England need a miracle to avoid a Test and series defeat after a host of their top-order batsmen wilted in the Mumbai heat, leaving the visitors trailing by 49 runs going into the final day. England lost three quick wickets at the Wankhede Stadium as their second innings got off to a nightmare start, all but ending their hopes of mounting a comeback. Keaton Jennings, who scored a century on his Test debut in the first innings, went for a golden duck, lbw to Indian medium pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja then dismissed captain Alastair Cook for 18 and Moeen Ali, who lasted only three balls and failed to get off the mark. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow did their best to restore some respectability by putting on a fourth-wicket partnership of 92 before the former was bowled lbw by Yadav for 77 runs. Ben Stokes came and went for 18 while Bairstow was unbeaten on 50 at stumps. "Our spinners bowled in good areas consistently" said Yadav, who lavished praise on India's talismanic Kohli for helping guide the number nine batsman to his hundred. "Whenever you're batting with Virat, things feel easier," he said. Kohli's double century, which included 25 fours and one six during his 340-ball stay, comes towards the end of a sensational year for the Indian skipper. - Kholi on top - "He's very much suited to playing in these conditions. If you're not bang on the money and take your chances then he'll punish you," England bowler James Anderson said of Kohli. The 28-year-old Kohli put on 241 runs with Yadav (104) for the eighth wicket as England failed to take any wickets during the morning session. Kohli removed his helmet and raised his bat to the adoring crowd as he brought up his double ton with a single off his 302nd ball of the match. The right-hander has been the standout batsman of the year, scoring a double century against the West Indies in July before repeating the feat against New Zealand in October. He was eventually caught by Anderson off the bowling of Chris Woakes. England, who scored 400 in their first innings, must win to keep the series alive going into the fifth Test in Chennai, a feat that now looks all but impossible. The first Test of the series ended in a draw but India won the second and third matches. "We're going to come here tomorrow and try to fight our way back into the game if we can," said Anderson. "We're (about) 50 runs behind. If we can bat with positive intent there's no reason we can't get 100 ahead of them and try to put pressure on them with the ball."
