Shubman Gill’s third Test ton has given India a great chance of levelling the Series, despite a good start for England’s chase.
The hosts began Day Three 28-0 with a lead of 171, and they were looking to bat England out of the game by building a substantial second-innings lead. On the other hand, the tourists were looking to restrict them to a score that their Bazballers would relish chasing.
And James Anderson gave them the ideal start by removing Rohit Sharma for 13 at 29-1.
Yashasvi Jaiswal was the next man to go at 30-2, as his attempted cover drive off Anderson got an edge through to Joe Root at first slip.
Shubman Gill
Gill and Shreyas Iyer weathered the storm and got a partnership going.
And began to dominate the bowling after a scratchy start.
Shubman Gill reached 50 in 60 balls.
But Iyer’s innings of 29 ended at 111-3, courtesy of a great catch from Ben Stokes.
And Rehan Ahmed gave England a boost when he picked the wicket of Rajat Patidar, at 122-4.
When India reached 130-4 at Lunch, Stokes and his men would have been reasonably happy with how the first session went, however with a deficit of 269, there was still work to do.
Shubman Gill continued to torture the bowlers after Lunch.
While Axar Patel also cashed in from the other end.
And it wasn’t long until India’s Number Three brought up his third Test Hundred in 132 balls.
Axar continued to attack the bowling.
But Gill’s fine knock of 104, was ended by Shoaib Bashir at 211-5.
Axar also departed soon after for 45, at 220-6.
While KS Bharat survived a close LBW call on two.
India went to Tea on 227-6, with a healthy lead of 270, and they were looking to extend that lead in the final session. England on the other hand was looking to get into the tailenders as quickly as possible.
And they did so when Bharat hit a long hop from Ahmed straight into the England Captain’s hands, at 228-7.
Kuldeep’s attempted slog sweep got a top edge to Ben Duckett at 229-8.
Zak Crawley put down a tough chance off Ashwin.
The veteran All-rounder made him pay with some lusty blows.
Jasprit Bumrah’s long stay ended at 255-9.
Ahmed finally ended India’s second innings of 255 by getting Ashwin for 29.
That meant the tourists were set a target of 399 to win.
And they got off to a solid start, making 50 in 10.3 Overs.
Before Ashwin got the breakthrough, with the wicket of Duckett, at 50-1.
Crawley continued to play his shots.
So did Rehan.
The duo took England to 67-1 at stumps, requiring a further 332 for victory.
So, a fascinating third day’s play at Visakhapatnam comes to an end, with both teams with a chance of winning it
Can India level things up in the Series or will England go 2-0 up?
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