Twitter Reactions: Team India spinners go ineffective as match heads to a draw

The day 3 of the Rajkot Test between India and England had brought a lot of interest among the fans. There were speculations of Indians taking a lead and then the pitch turning a turner. However, all those claims took a toll. Neither did they take a lead nor did the Indian spinners turned out to be anywhere close to being effective. The pitch was turning a bit but the English openers were good enough to negotiate the Indian spinners.

Earlier in the day, India resumed at 319/4 and were hopeful to see the skipper Virat Kohli get off to a flying start. India lost wickets at regular interval and could never recover from thereon. Virat Kohli got out in a bizarre way. Kohli rocked back on his backfoot to pull Adil Rashid to midwicket. But he could only manage to hit his own stumps to b hit wicket. The likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and Wriddhiman Saha failed to make a mark on belter wicket.

Ravichandran Ashwin led the Indian fightback with a gritty half century. He played sensibly. As he ran out of partners from one end, he started taking his calculated risks. Shami and Ashwin added 29 runs for the last wicket. A few fielding lapses from England saw the hosts get a couple of lucky chances. Shami hit a massive six too. It was Ashwin who was the last man to be dismissed on 70. Ashwin’s effort with the bat saw India pile on 488 runs.

However, this was not good to overpower the massive 537 set by England. English openers Haseeb Hameed and Alastair Cook walked in to bat with England having a lead of 49 runs. They never looked struggling at the crease. Hameed played brilliantly to reach his maiden Test fifty in his debut Test. With England easily negotiating the India bowlers, it is very unikely that the match will yield a result.

Here are the best tweets from the day 4 of the first Test between India and England:

When he liked a player, Azhar would say " Idea hain usko cricket ka " That's what I feel when I see young Haseeb Hameed bat. #INDvENG

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 12, 2016

@sanjaymanjrekar yes sanjay Usko cricket ka idea hai!!

— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) November 12, 2016

Just asked @virendersehwag if he ever got out hit wicket?? Viru responded, "you kidding? I never moved my feet!" ?

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) November 12, 2016

Kohli is the first India captain, and the only one, since Lala Amarnath in 1949 to get out hit wicket #IndvsEng

— Shiva J (@Shiva_cricinfo) November 12, 2016

Looks like @ECB_cricket have found an absolute beauty in @HaseebHameed97 #IndvsEng

— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) November 12, 2016

VIRAT KOHLI – 22nd Indian batsmen to get dismissed hit wicket in Tests.
First since VVS Laxman vs WI at St John's in 2002.#IndvsEng

— Deepu Narayana (@deeputalks) November 12, 2016

#BREAKING:Virat Kohli Got Hit Wicket Because He Wanted To Stand Early In Bank Queue For Exchanging Rs 500 & Rs 1000 Notes#IndvsEng #IndvENG

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) November 12, 2016

This young man @HaseebHameed97 looks the real deal. Remarkable composure/confidence for a 19-yr-old Test debutant. #IndvsEng pic.twitter.com/SyBCopcsOh

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 12, 2016

To be 19 and make your family so proud – what a beautiful moment that was #IndvsEng

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) November 12, 2016

Another Half Century By Ravichandran Ashwin.
No. 1 All Rounder In Tests For A Reason. #IndvsEng #INDvENG

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) November 12, 2016

https://twitter.com/Cricketracker/status/797309674638872576

Haseeb Hameed's the star of the day. Won't predict he'll get to 10,000 + Test runs. But he will definitely go a long way. #INDvENG #IndvsEng

— Chinmay Jawalekar? (@CricfreakTweets) November 12, 2016

If Haseeb Hameed dosen't score 10000+ Test runs, then I dont know my cricket#IndvEng

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 12, 2016

England pick a 19yo Hameed. Plays beautifully and Outplays Cook.. and how many 19yo's are playing Shield cricket? ?

— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) November 12, 2016

In every tour by Eng to Ind, they unearth a spcl talent. 2006-Cook, 2008-Swann, 2012-Root, now we see @HaseebHameed97 @ProfDeano #IndvsEng

— Upendra K Singh (@KumarupenS) November 12, 2016

https://twitter.com/ProfDeano/status/797283681370898432

"Only one team can lose from here"

Ravi Shastri never said, now. #INDvENG

— Pratyush Sinha (@prat1204) November 12, 2016

Ashwin on 4th day, is like Nadal on Clay. #MicroPoetry

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 12, 2016

Virat Kohli hit wicket himself, no surprise, everyone is in hurry to go to bank to exchange their notes.

— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) November 12, 2016