England’s reputation as the most fearless chasers in the game will be put to its biggest challenge yet after they were set a record 399 to win an absorbing second Test against India.

Since the ‘Bazball’ era began, Ben Stokes’ side have won eight of their 10 fourth-innings pursuits, including a new English record of 378 against the same opposition at Edgbaston 18 months ago. 

Speaking after that match, Stokes said: “There was a bit of me that wanted them to get to 450, just to see what we’d do”. 

Now, he is one step closer to finding out after India were bowled out for 255 in 78.3 overs on Sunday, with Shubman Gill’s 104 anchoring India’s second knock.

“We’ve got so much quality in our dressing room and there are guys in there who can maybe get 150 for us and win us the game,” said England veteran James Anderson.

England ended day three on the attack on 1-67, speaking volumes for the way this team have raised expectations, not least in Hyderabad last week where they overturned a 190-run first-innings deficit to win the first Test. 

But the challenge of finding another 332 runs in Visakhapatnam is now even steeper, with a tricky turning pitch bringing the home spinners into play and the dynamic Jasprit Bumrah leading the attack. 

England lost Ben Duckett for 28 when he was well caught off bat and pad but they refused to back down, Zak Crawley reaching 29 not out and Rehan Ahmed throwing the bat in a late cameo as the so-called ‘nighthawk’. 

England’s inexperienced bowling attack, featuring three young spinners with three Test caps between them coming into the match, performed well again, with Tom Hartley once more leading the way with 4-77.