India vs England: Visitors lose three wickets while chasing 482
England made a patchy start in the final hour after India set them a 482-run target on Day 3 of the ongoing second Test. All-rounder Axar Patel gave Team India a couple of breakthroughs, while Ravichandran Ashwin also snapped up a wicket. Earlier, a scintillating hundred by the latter put India in the driving seat. Here are the key takeaways.
How did Day 3 pan out?
In the first session, India resumed at 54/1 after losing Shubman Gill yesterday. Surprisingly, Cheteshwar Pujara got run-out in the first over. The likes of Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Ajinkya Rahane and Axar Patel too departed eventually. However, Virat Kohli (62) and Ashwin (106) helped India put up 286 in the second innings. At stumps, England were reduced to 53/3.
A fifth Test hundred for Ashwin
After taking a five-for in the first innings, Ashwin fired his fifth Test hundred. This was his first 50+ score in Tests at home since December 2016 and first overall since August 2017. Ashwin has now struck a century and scalped a five-for in the same Test second-most times (3) after Ian Botham (5). This is also the most by an Indian cricketer.
Most tons for India batting at number eight or below
Ashwin now has most number of hundreds (3) in Test cricket for India batting at number eight or below. Earlier, he was tied with MS Dhoni (2), Harbhajan Singh (2) and Kapil Dev (2) in terms of centuries.
Kohli showed his class in the second innings
Earlier in the innings, Indian captain Kohli too showed terrific resistance against English spinners on a tricky surface. He took the charge, playing counter-attacking strokes all around the ground. In the process, Kohli (62) struck his 25th half-century in the format. Although he missed out on a much-awaited Test ton, his 96-run stand with Ashwin made a stunning recovery for India.
England lose successive wickets despite sending night-watchman Jack Leach
While chasing 482, England lost opener Sibley (3) initially. Notably, Sibley has crossed the 20-run mark only twice in his last eight innings. Ashwin got rid of his compatriot Rory Burns, with night-watchman Jack Leach falling to Axar. Top-order batsman Daniel Lawrence was the only batsman who looked comfortable against spinners. He (19*) will join skipper Joe Root in the middle on Day 4.
India on the brink of leveling the series 1-1
India are on the brink of squaring the four-match series 1-1. The win will be crucial for the Kohli-led side with respect to the ICC World Test Championship. Meanwhile, Ashwin could script history if he takes another five-wicket haul. If the all-rounder does so, he will become only the fifth cricketer and first Indian with a hundred and ten wickets in the same Test.
