India vs England, Chennai Test: James Anderson dismisses Gill, Rahane, Pant to achieve another rare milestone

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Chennai, February 9: Senior England pacer James Anderson once again showed why he's the best fast bowler in the world as he dismissed two Indian batsmen in just four deliveries to push the hosts on the back foot on day five of the first Test at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The seasoned campaigner touched yet another feather to his illustrious Test cap.

Brought into the attack after almost an hour of the day's play by captain Joe Root, Anderson showed his class as he dismissed Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane with reverse swinging deliveries. The 38-year-old speedster first breached the defence of Gill - who had just completed his third half-century - with a beauty.

The 21-year-old batsman who was looking in sublime touch in the morning session and played some attacking shots off English spinners forced the English captain to turn towards his senior-most player and the veteran didn't disappoint. England needed the wicket of Gill - who was posing a threat to the tourists - on a deteriorating Chepauk pitch which had plenty to offer to the bowlers and Anderson delivered on the very first ball of his first spell of the day's play. The right-handed batsman failed to read the line of the ball that reverse swung and paid the price as it disturbed his leg-stump which cartwheeled.

The Indians were already three down chasing a mammoth 420, had high hopes from captain Virat Kohli and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane for both are one of the best players of pace bowling. But Anderson had other ideas as he relentlessly bowled in the right areas and asked the tough questions for Rahane - who had just walked into the middle.

On the second ball he bowled to Rahane, Anderson trapped the Mumbaikar in front and made a huge appeal which the on-field umpire Anil Chaudhari turned down. But both Anderson, as well as Root, were convinced that Rahane was trapped plumb in front and went upstairs to review it. However, Rahane survived as the impact was umpire's call.

But Anderson decided to not remain at the umpire's mercy as he clean bowled Rahane on the very next delivery with yet another sensational reverse swinging delivery. Rahane walked back for a duck and India were four down.

Later, Anderson struck his third wicket of the innings as he got the wicket of Rishabh Pant for 11. Pant was surprised by the length ball, outside off stump, which took a leading edge and went uncontrolled in the air to short extra cover and Joe Root took a simple catch. India thus lost their fifth wicket for 110.

After picking up the three wickets at Chepauk, Anderson achieved yet another milestone as he surpassed West Indies great Courtney Walsh and picked up most wickets after the age of 30. Anderson has now picked up 343* wickets and leapfrogged Walsh who had picked up 341 wickets after the age of 30.