Chennai: England set India a daunting 420-run target to win the first Test after scoring 178 in their second innings on day four here on Monday.

England found the going tough in their second essay after the visitors bowled out India for 337 in their first innings to take a 241-run lead.

If India manage to chase the target it will be highest ever successful run chase in Test cricket history. The previous best is 418.

The Indians, especially Washington Sundar, were fluent in stroke-making after the hosts resumed at overnight score of 257 for six.

Washington remained unbeaten at 85.

England though struggled a bit as the pitch became tougher for stroke-making. Skipper Joe Root was top-scorer with his 40-run knock while Ollie Pope (28) was the next best.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who dismissed opener Rory Burns earlier in the day, snared Dominic Sibley (16), Ben Stokes (7), Dom Bess (25) and Jofra Archer (5) to complete his 28th five-wicket haul. He also got rid of James Anderson to end the England innings.

Ishant Sharma became the sixth Indian and third pacer from the country to take 300 wickets in Tests cricket when he dismissed Dan Lawrence (18).

Brief Scores:

England: 578 and 178 in 46.3 overs (Joe Root 40, Ollie Pope 28; Ravichandran Ashwin 6/61)

India 1st innings: 337 all out in 95.5 overs (Rishabh Pant 91, Washington SUndar 85 not out, Cheteshwar Pujara 73, Dom Bess 4/76, Jofra Archer 2/75).

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Bengaluru: The Bengaluru police have directed murder accused Kannada film star Darshan Thoogudeepa to deposit his licensed firearm at the nearest police station. However, the actor has yet to comply.

A police source said that the Rajarajeshwari Nagar police sent a request last month to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), seeking cancellation of Darshan’s firearm licence. The request followed the Karnataka High Court granting him bail in the Renukaswamy murder case.

The police expressed concerns that Darshan, who is out on bail, could threaten witnesses using the firearm. Therefore, a notice was issued for the safe deposit of the weapon.

The case involves the murder of Renukaswamy, a native of Chitradurga, whose body was found near a stormwater drain in west Bengaluru’s Sumanahalli in June last year. The police arrested Darshan, his close friend Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others for the crime.

The High Court granted conditional bail to Darshan on December 13, who was already out on interim bail on medical grounds.