India versus England 2nd Test 3rd Day: India on a verge of an emphatic win
The Indian Cricket Team has stamped its authority on the
Test as they are on the verge of an emphatic win on the 3rd day of
the 2nd Test match played at M Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Monday.
Starting on the overnight score of 54 for 1, it was not an
ideal start for the hosts as Cheteshwar Pujara was unfortunately run-out as the
bat stuck and could not come inside. Ben Foakes produced a great stumping to
get rid of Rohit Sharma. Jack Leach bowled great deliveries to Indian captain
Virat Kohli troubling with bounce and spin.
Leach struck again to dismiss Pant who came down the track
and was stumped by Foakes to leave India in some trouble. Ajiyanka Rahane
played with intent putting some pressure on the England bowlers. Moeen Ali got
rid of Rahane taking the inside edge into the hands of short-leg hands. Kohli
looked confident with his strokes and kept the scoreboard ticking. Ali struck again
to dismiss Axar Patel. Axar Patel decided to review the decision and it upheld.
R Ashwin looked in decent touch sweeping the England spinners putting them
under immense pressure. Stokes dropped a tough chance at slips to dismiss
Ashwin. Kohli made the batting at ease and kept the scoreboard ticking. India
went into the lunch break at 156 for 6.
R Ashwin and Kohli continued to milk the England bowling
with ease. Kohli completed his fifty off 107 balls while Ashwin also reached
his milestone off 64 balls. Moeen Ali struck for England dismissing Indian
captain Kohli via review. The umpire gave it out and the decision was upheld due to the umpire's call. Kohli and Ashwin added 96 runs for the 7th wicket.
Kuldeep Yadav could not contribute many runs as he was dismissed by Ali. R
Ashwin took most of the strike while Ishant Sharma played with rock-solid
defense. India ended the 2nd session at 221 for 8 with a massive 416
runs lead.
After the tea session, England missed a stumping chance to
get rid of R Ashwin. Ishant Sharma played with solid defense and hit some lovely
strokes. Leach took his fourth wicket getting rid of Ishant. Ishant and Ashwin
added 27 runs for the 9th wicket. India’s number 11, Mohammed Siraj
provided good support to Ashwin. The England captain Root decided to take the 2nd
new ball in the 81st over. Ashwin took most of the strike and
reached his 5th Test century off 134 balls. Mohammed Siraj enjoyed
his moment with 2 big sixes putting on 49 runs for the last wicket. Ashwin was
the last batsman to be dismissed for a superb 106. India set England a mammoth
482 runs to win.
Axar Patel was simply unplayable and troubled Dom Sibley.
Rory Burns showed some confidence coming down the track. R Ashwin was bought
into the attack. Patel got the breakthrough dismissing Sibley with a quicker
delivery.
Dan Lawrence looked solid enough against Ashwin along with
Burns. Ashwin got his first wicket of the innings getting rid of Burns giving a simple catch to Kohli at slip. Axar dismissed nightwatchman Jack Leach providing
an easy catch to Rohit at leg slips. Before the end of the day’s play, Root survived
a close LBW shout that was reviewed by Kohli. The decision was upheld due to
umpires call. England ended the 3rd day in big trouble at 53 for 3.
India 329 in 95.5 overs ( Rohit
Sharma 161, Rahane 67, Pant 58*, Olly Stone 3/47, Leach 2/78, Moeen Ali 4/128)
and 286 in 85.5 overs ( R Ashwin 106, Kohli 62, Jack Leach 4/100, Moeen Ali
4/98) England 134 in 59.5 overs ( Foakes 42*, Pope 22, Ashwin 5/43) and 53 for
3 in 19 overs ( Burns 25, Lawrence 19*, Patel 2/15, Ashwin 1/28)
England require another 429 runs to win, India needs 7 wickets to win.
India on the verge of a massive win at the end of the 3rd day
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