VISAKHAPATNAM: Skipper Alastair Cook and Haseeb Hameed dug in their heels as England crawled to 40 for no loss at tea on the fourth day of the second Test against India in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
The visitors, who were set 405 to win after dismissing India for 204, lag 365 runs behind their victory target with four more sessions in hand.
Cook (28) and Hameed (12) tackled the Indian bowlers with a rock solid defence during the 28 overs bowled so far.
Teenage opener Hameed, who impressed on his debut with a well-made 82 in the second innings of the Rajkot Test, looked set to stick it out with his senior partner.
Cook, who was castled by Mohammed Shami for two in England's first innings, also batted with patience during his 84-ball stay.
Earlier fast bowler Stuart Broad shrugged off a right foot injury to lead England's fightback in the morning session.
Broad and Adil Rashid claimed four wickets apiece as India collapsed at 98 for three at the start of play, losing their last seven wickets for 87 as captain Virat Kohli top scored with 81.
The target would have been less daunting but for a stubborn last-wicket partnership of 42 runs between Shami and Jayant Yadav, who finished unbeaten on 27, that delayed the scheduled lunch break by 20 minutes.
Broad struck early to send overnight batsman Ajinkya Rahane back for 26 in the fifth over of the day.
The wicket ended the 77-run fourth-wicket partnership between Rahane and Kohli.
Leg-spinner Rashid soon swung into action with four wickets including that of Kohli who added 25 runs to his overnight 56.
India scored 455 in their first innings and England replied with 255.
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