Ravichandran Ashwin leaves England in tatters in Chennai Test

Off-spinner picks up five as India extend their lead to 249 in second Test

Ravichandran Ashwin picked up five wickets in the second Test against England in Chennai. AFP

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin reigned supreme on a crumbling Chepauk pitch as India took control of the second Test against England on Sunday.

The visitors were bowled out for just 134 at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium before the Indians finished day two on 54-1 for an overall lead of 249 .

Rohit Sharma, who smashed 161 in the first innings, was batting on 25 with Cheteshwar Pujara on seven at the other end.

But the day belonged to Ashwin, who picked his second successive five-wicket haul in Chennai.

England's reply to India's first innings score of 329 got off to a woeful start as they lost four wickets before lunch.

Ishant Sharma trapped Rory Burns lbw for a duck and Dom Sibley fell for 16 after India successfully reviewed a not-out decision.

Debutant Axar Patel dealt the biggest blow by dismissing Joe Root for six to claim his maiden Test wicket.

The England captain fluffed his sweep shot offering a top-edge to Ashwin at short fine-leg.

The touring side's middle-order caved in after the interval.

Ashwin claimed the important wicket of Ben Stokes, dismissing the all-rounder bowled for 18. India did not feel the need to use second seamer Mohammed Siraj until the 39th over.

Finally pressed into the attack, Siraj ended Ollie Pope's promising knock of 22 with his first delivery.

Ben Foakes, playing his first match of the four-Test series, top-scored with an unbeaten 42 as England avoided the follow-on but conceded a first-innings lead of 195 runs.

Foakes, in fact, has been excellent behind and in front of the wickets, making the most of a classical technique and commendable temperament.

After the day's play, the keeper said it was a huge challenge to play on such a pitch.

"Yeah, it was extremely difficult [to bat] against a high-quality spin outfit and the pitch was playing tricks. I just tried to play within my limits and play the ball late," Foakes said. "It's so dry and spitting so much and the odd ball shoots low as well. All in all, a very difficult pitch to bat on."

Ashwin bowled Stuart Broad for nought for his 29th five-wicket haul in 76 Tests. He also became the first bowler to dismiss 200 left-handed batsmen. Ashwin returned figures of 5-43 while Ishant and Patel claimed two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Moeen Ali and Olly Stone split the last four Indian wickets as the hosts added 29 runs to their overnight score before being all out for 329 in their first innings.

The majority of the runs came from the bat of Rishabh Pant, who eventually ran out of partners on 58 not out.

Moeen took two wickets in his first over of the day, the first with a good piece of bowling to beat Axar Patel's edge but an even better piece of wicketkeeping to have him stumped. Foakes followed the turn well then seamlessly flicked the bails as the batsman's momentum drew him forward.

Two balls later there was a less edifying spectacle as Ishant Sharma spooned a full toss straight to short mid-wicket.