India versus England 5th Test 3rd Day: India in the driving seat
Despite Bairstow’s brilliance, India ended the 3rd day of the 5th Test match in a strong position against host England played at Birmingham on Sunday.
Starting on the overnight score of 84 for 5, it was a cautious
start by Bairstow and Stokes against disciplined Indian bowling by Bumrah and
Shami. After the initial struggle, both England batsmen kept the momentum going on
with lovely shots putting pressure on Indian bowlers. Bairstow continued from
where he left from the last series against New Zealand.
Bairstow completed fifty off 81 balls while Ben Stokes kept
playing attacking shots. Shardul Thakur dropped a simple chance to get the
wicket of England captain Stokes. Thakur then redeemed himself by dismissing
Ben Stokes in his first over with a lovely catch by Bumrah at mid-off. Stokes
and Bairstow added 66 runs for the 6th wicket.
Bairstow showed his intent against Siraj and Shardul Thakur
putting them under pressure. Bumrah threatened with superb lines and lengths.
There were some anxious moments for the England team as Bumrah misjudged a catch.
Bairstow was given out by the umpire but reviewed and the decision was
overturned as it hit the inside edge.
With the scoreboard reading 200 for 6, the rain arrived and
umpires called early lunch. The match did not start on time due to the wet outfield.
After the match started Bairstow looked impressive completing his century off
119 balls. Mohammed Shami was bought into the attack dismissing Bairstow with a
good catch by Kohli. Bairstow and Billings added 92 runs for the 7th
wicket.
Soon after, Siraj took the wicket of Broad with a good high
catch by Pant to leave England on the backfoot. Billings showed intent right hitting
innovative strokes along with Matthew Potts. Siraj grabbed his third wicket
taking the wicket of Billings taking the inside edge onto the stumps.
Despite a few late runs by Potts, Siraj grabbed the final
wicket to bowl out England for 284 in the first innings with a lead of 132
runs.
In reply, it was not an ideal start for India in the 2nd
innings as Shubman Gill failed again getting caught at slips off Anderson. Hanuma
Vihari and Pujara remained steady enough as India went into the tea break at 37
for 1.
After the tea break, Broad dismissed Vihari with a good catch
by Bairstow. Vihari and Pujara added 39 runs for the 2nd wicket. Virat
Kohli came to the crease and looked confident with lovely shots while Pujara
looked solid with his defense.
Stokes produced a peach to dismiss Kohli taking the gloves
of Billings and a rebound catch by Root. Kohli and Pujara added 32 runs for the 3rd
wicket. Pant impressed with his positive intent while Pujara was hit on his
hand.
Joe Root was introduced into the attack, but Pant did not
try to hit a big shot in the first innings. Pujara completed fifty off 134
balls as India ended the 3rd day at 125 for 3. Pant and Pujara added
so far 50 runs for the 4th wicket.
India
416 in 84.5 overs (Pant 146, Jadeja 104, Anderson 5/60) and 125 for 3 in 45
overs ( Pujara 50*, Pant 30*, Anderson 1/26) lead England 284 in 61.3 overs (Bairstow
106, Billings 36, Siraj 4/66, Bumrah 3/68) by 257 runs.
India ends the 3rd day of the 5th Test match in a strong position
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