India v England, 3rd Test, Day 4 - 5 Talking Points

India continued their dominance over England winning the 3rd Test against the visitors quite comprehensively by 8 wickets to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 5 match series. Beginning the day at 78/4, England lost nightwatchman Gareth Batty in the 2nd over of the day without adding to their overnight score. Jos Buttler departed soon to leave the visitors precariously placed at 107/6, still 27 runs adrift of India’s total.

Joe Root’s presence still gave the visitors an outside chance but after his dismissal to an Ajinkya Rahane stunner, England was gone for all money. Teenager Haseeb Hameed who had suffered an injury eventually came out to bat after the fall of Jos Buttler’s wicket. He batted with conviction and scored a patient half-century which propelled the visitor’s lead in excess of 100.

Chasing 103 to win, the hosts never looked in any discomfort as they romped home by 8 wickets. Comeback man Parthiv Patel was the star performer scoring a brilliant half century. Here we look at 5 talking points from the fourth day’s play

1. Jadeja’s brilliant allround show:

Ravindra Jadeja who scored a breathtaking 90 in the first innings was consistent with the ball in hand. The left-arm spinner bowled in the right areas on a consistent basis to create uncertainties for the batsmen. Jadeja got his first in his very first over trapping Gareth Batty right in front of the stumps. It was a quicker one from Jadeja which pitched and held its line to hit the leg guards plumb in front.

His 2nd wicket came in the form of dangerman Joe Root when the star English batsman edged an outside the off stump delivery to Rahane in the slips. It was a difficult catch but Rahane plucked the ball out of thin air to put the brakes on the visitors. He was also instrumental in running out James Anderson to bring down the curtains on England’s 2nd innings.

2. Teenager Haseeb Hameed’s fighting half century:

Hameed came into bat after the loss of Buttler’s wicket and looked in complete control despite his injury. The youngster defied the Indians for a long time and stitched together a 39 run partnership with Anderson for the last wicket.

He was pretty solid in the middle defending anything which came his way. It was when he started losing partners at regular intervals that he went for the big shots and eventually brought up his 2nd Test fifty. He struck 6 fours and a solitary six during his long vigil at the crease.

Despite his heroics with the bat, Hameed will miss the remaining of the series and will fly back home to recuperate from the injury he suffered during the Test match.

3. Mohammed Shami’s short ball tactics:

“Bengal Tiger” Mohammad Shami continued his good showing with the ball and picked up a couple of wickets by using the short ball tactics. Shami who was steaming into bowl at Chris Woakes responded with a beautifully directed bouncer which hit Woakes on the helmet and the additional protection from the rear of the helmet fell off to the ground. Captain Kohli and Shami was quick to go and enquire whether he was fine.

Shami was fully aware of the fact that Woakes was surprised by the bouncer and went for yet another bouncer. Woakes was late to the ball as he somehow managed to top edge the delivery to the hands of Parthiv Patel. It was followed by yet another short pitch delivery to dismiss Adil Rashid caught in the deep fine leg region. Shami eventually finished with figures of 2/37 in 14 overs.

4. Ajinkya Rahane’s stunner at slip:

It was the 67th over of the England innings when Ravindra Jadeja was bowling to the inform English batsman Joe Root. Root was looking pretty solid in middle and was standing in between India’s victory.

Jadeja bowled a full delivery outside the off stump as Joe Root went for an expansive drive. Root edged the ball to Rahane at slips and the latter held on to a one hand stunner. The ball was flying past the slips but Rahane’s reflex was better. Roots’ wicket came at a crucial juncture of the game and allowed the Indians to run away with the match despite Haseeb Hameed’s valiant half century later in the day.

5. Parthiv Patel’s quickfire half-century:

Donning the Indian whites after eight years, Parthiv Patel made a dream comeback and scored a brilliant half century in the 2nd innings to guide India to a comfortable 8 wicket win in the 3rd Test at Mohali.

Patel who was unlucky in the 1st innings to be adjudged leg before played a brilliant innings in the 2nd essay. He was quick off his feet and scored runs at will. He struck as many as 12 boundaries in his innings of 67 including 11 fours and a solitary six. Courtesy his brilliant comeback innings, The Indian think tank might be tempted to stay with him in the next Test at Mumbai.