IND v ENG, 1st Test Day 3 Review: Virat Kohli leads from the front as lead swells up to 298 runs

The previous day had seen India surge ahead with five wickets in the day. Day 3 was a case of the Indians being frustrated by two individuals – Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow. The duo added 100 runs for the sixth wicket, something that ensured that the Britons were well and truly dug out of the hole they were in. Moreover, they looked at complete ease against the spinners, something that was a concern to both Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble.

The day began with both Jonny Bairstow and his compatriot Ben Stokes making amends with the bat following the massive hole the Indians had put them in on the first day. The initial movements from the bat were quite cautious as Virat Kohli decided to give Ravi Ashwin an extended spell, and the kind of turn Ashwin was getting off the deck, it was clear that a wicket was in the offing.

However, some patient and constructive batting from the duo in the first 30 minutes forced Virat Kohli to change plans and begin the show with the rotation of pace and spin bowlers. This saw Umesh Yadav back into the attack, something that was highly expected given the fact that Shami was one of the impact bowlers to be used only in short bursts.

The ploy as far as India was concerned was not working. What was worse was the fact that the right and left-hand combination duo of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes were making the bat do all the talking? Needless to say, they began to enjoy themselves quite a bit out there. The highlight of the first session’s play, as Mike Atherton quite correctly pointed out was the fact that the Indians need to be schooled on the use of the DRS system.

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Ravi Ashwin was one to go ahead with the review straight away when the ball had clearly hit Bairstow on the glove. This was also backed up by skipper Virat Kohli who decided on using the DRS despite having 15 more seconds to utilize. Needless to say, the decision was not overturned and the Indians had lost both their reviews.

Jonny Bairstow however, was dismissed soon after as Umesh Yadav’s reverse swing ensured that the stumps were uprooted and that the Indians did indeed make the breakthrough they so richly deserved nine minutes prior to the lunch break.

While the pre-lunch session ensured that the Indians were not able to crack the partnerships they would have liked, the fourth session was a case of the Indians being all over England. If not all Indians, one Indian player in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin was a nightmare for the Brits.

However, the England post-lunch innings began with Adil Rashid and Ben Stokes taking the attack to the opposition. It was surprisingly Adil Rashid who was very impressive on the day when he impressed with some impressive batting acumen. But, the Indians clawed their way back into the grand scheme of things when Ravi Ashwin trapped Ben Stokes leg-before.

The England cookie, however, began to crumble soon after as Zafar Ansari, Stuart Broad, and James Anderson all fell to the wiliness of Ravi Ashwin. The Indians came out to bat soon after with both openers – KL Rahul and Murali Vijay – managing a few runs each before tea was called.

The duo, however, weren’t comfortable and could not manage to make any significant contribution as Stuart Broad struck in quick succession and reduced India to 17/2. Vijay was the first to depart, thanks to a clean fielding effort from Joe Root.

Vijay, unable to deal with a nicely incoming delivery, inside-edged the ball onto the pad. the ball looped towards the gully region where Root complete the dismissal with a diving effort. Umpire Rod Tucker gave out initially before England reviewed it and overturned the decision. An over later, Broad nicked KL Rahul behind to make him depart.

India received another setback when James Anderson broke through the defense of Pujara. But, before England could gain any further advantage, skipper Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane forged an unbeaten 58 runs stand to help India end at 98/3 at stumps on day three.

Brief Scores

India, 1st innings: 455 all out

England, 1st innings: 255 all out (B Stokes 70; R Ashwin 5/67)

India, 2nd innings: 98/3 (Virat Kohli 56; Stuart Broad 2/6)