Twitter Reactions: Edgbaston Test even-steven after roller coaster day

India, courtesy of Virat Kohli’s century, got themselves close to England’s first innings score of 287 after which Ravichandran Ashwin removed Alastair Cook to end their second day on a high. Going into the third day, the opening Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham was poised for more entertainment and by the close of play, the match hangs in the balance as India need 84 runs to win with five wickets remaining.

Curran shine with the willow amidst Ishant havoc

Keaton Jennings and Joe Root were the overnight batsmen, but both couldn’t survive as Ashwin accounted for the wicket of both. David Malan and Jonny Bairstow put on 31 for the fourth wicket and it took an outstanding delivery from Ishant Sharma to separate the pair when Malan perished for 20 runs. Four over later, Ishant removed Bairstow, Ben Stokes, and Jos Buttler to leave England in the shambles.

However, Adil Rashid and Sam Curran restored sanity with a much-needed stand of 48 runs, which was broken by Umesh Yadav with the wicket of Rashid. Thereafter, Curran took the attack to the opposition and played a whirlwind knock of 63 runs from 65 balls. He also whacked Ashwin and Ishant into the stands a couple of times to propel the Brits’ score to 180 runs and subsequently set India a target of 194.

Kohli and Karthik sees off the day

Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan had a daunting task ahead of them, but the former succumbed to an inswinger from Stuart Broad. The pacer got rid of Dhawan in the eighth over to put the visitors under tremendous pressure. KL Rahul threatened with a couple of boundaries but Ben Stokes nipped him out. Ajinkya Rahane’s travails continued as Sam Curran picked up his first wicket of the second innings.

Ashwin was promoted ahead of Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya and the decision seemed to pay off as he smacked three fours. But the joy was short-lived as James Anderson’s outswinger turned out to be too hot to handle for him. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli buckled down and staved off the English attack. Most importantly, he remained not out on 43 runs. Dinesh Karthik, his current partner didn’t play badly either.

Here is how Twitter reacted

What a beautiful test match going on. Who says test cricket is not fun?????? #ENGvsIND

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 3, 2018

Fantastic effort by @ImIshant. Brought back memories from the game at Lord’s in 2014. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/k2dk1v0htu

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 3, 2018

Good thing—it’s only the third day. Pitch still good.
Bad thing—it’s turning out to be about Kohli…once again. #EngvInd

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 3, 2018

Dear @BCCI,
There's a mistake in your advertisements and promos.
It's Kohli vs. England not India vs. England. #ENGvIND

— Prajakta Bhawsar (@ViratsFangirl18) August 3, 2018

DK & VK will win this for India. #ENGvIND

— N (@mazhai_magal) August 3, 2018

India need 84. England need 5.

Game very much in the balance.

Kohli, the key for both! 😌 #ENGvIND

This has become Kohli Vs England . Rest other batsman are just for clapping from dressing room. 😒😒

— चलहट,😝😝🤣😝 (@rajendrasingh41) August 3, 2018

Day 1 ends with Kohli
Day 2 ends with Kohli
Day 3 ends with Kohli

— arfan. (@Im__Arfan) August 3, 2018

The first hour tomorrow is going to be ABSOLUTELY crucial. #ENGvIND

Either we lose @DineshKarthik and open up the tail, lose @imVkohli and go into a tailspin, or score a crucial 25-30 runs and make some headway into the total.

— Varun Ravichandran (@vahroone) August 3, 2018

At the end of play, an interviewer remarks to Sam Curran, on camera, "You've got to get Kohli out." Curran replies, "Or we can get four wickets at the other end."

They've given up already, India. Push for the win, tomorrow. #INDvENG #ENGvIND

— Jude Sannith (@JudeSannith24) August 3, 2018

#ENGvIND

Kholi pic.twitter.com/c5oRLL5Owo

— CHOTAA BHEEM (@Chotaa_Bheem) August 3, 2018

All eyes on the top order but rahane has been very inconsistent till now. Batting at an average of 34 in 2017 and 20s in 2018 doesn't serve well for the vice captain. Needs to support Kohli more. Is a better player than struggling against swing… #ENGvIND

— Rishabh Bhargava (@Engineereed) August 3, 2018

Another exhausting day of cricket. Lots of Ohs and Ahs. As long as Kohli is there, hope is there. DK has done good so far after his intense start. More 35 runs partnership from this duo & we'll be in the driver's seat.#ENGvIND

— Aditya (@bigsamaldini) August 3, 2018

Its fun watching these low scoring matches… King Kohli's batting vs awesome Anderson's magic.. #ENGvIND #Kohli #CricketMeriJaan

— Rohidas Kendre (@RohidasKendre) August 3, 2018

#ENGvIND 14 wickets in a day.. with just 270 runs scored.

Please don't kill test cricket @ICC

— Raavanasura (@dwarakesh4u) August 3, 2018

Rahane 2014 has become Kohli 2018.
Kohli 2014 has become Rahane 2018.#ENGvIND

— Ronald D Sampson (@RDSampson_25) August 3, 2018

India tour of #england #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/qEz0qEeUem

— Manjit Thakur (@manjit2007) August 3, 2018

84 runs to win!! I guess India will be favourites to win this test match just because kohli is still there in the middle #ENGvIND

— Shoeb Zama (@shoebzama83) August 3, 2018

Gritty last hour performance by @imVkohli @DineshKarthik. The first half-hour tomorrow will define the result this match. #ENGvIND

— Waseem Akhtar (@_Waseem_) August 3, 2018