Mohammed Siraj’s 4-84, followed by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unbeaten 104, puts India in the driver’s seat in the third Test in Rajkot.
With England 207-2 in response to India’s 445, Ben Stokes’s side had the opportunity to kick on and go ahead in this match.
Still, they were against a strong India attack, albeit without veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who had to pull out of the match for family reasons temporarily.
But on the fifth Over of the morning session, Joe Root’s ambitious reverse scoop off Jasprit Bumrah found the hands of Jaiswal at Third Slip at 224-2
This is where you have to question what was going on in the mind of the former England captain, as he could have at least assessed the situation a bit better before attempting to play that shot.
Kuldeep Yadav took his first wicket of the day by trapping Jonny Bairstow LBW on the crease at 225-4
Ben Duckett hit a streaky reverse-sweep to get to 150.
Yadav almost had Ben Stokes bowled through the gate at 239-4.
As a result of it, the England captain began to counter-attack.
That was until Duckett’s half-hearted shot off Kuldeep when he was on 153, found the hands of Gill at extra cover, at 260-5. England were falling like ninepins, as yet another soft dismissal by a top-order batsman, who was playing so well, failed to consolidate England’s first innings.
Kuldeep was inches from his third scalp of the innings, as he almost bowled the England captain through the gate.
But Stokes was not flustered as he started to take on the Indian bowlers.
Ben Foakes joined in from the other end.
England reached Lunch at 290-5, trailing by 155 runs. India could smell blood as they were one wicket away from exposing England’s tail. The tourists needed a partnership to get them out of a sticky situation.
But the England captain’s ambitious slog sweep off Ravindra Jadeja, found the hands of Bumrah at deep mid-wicket, at 299-6.
And Foakes chipped Siraj to Rohit Sharma, who was at mid-on, on the first ball of the next over. 299-7.
Tom Hartley continued his fine form with the bat.
But Siraj was too good for Rehan Ahmed, as he castled him with a beautiful in-swinging yorker, at 314-8.
Jadeja had Hartley stumped by Dhruv Jurel at 314-9.
And Siraj ended England’s first innings, of 319, by castling James Anderson.
India was now in the driving seat, as they had a significant second innings lead of 126. England knew they needed early wickets to stay alive in the Test.
The Indian captain came out to bat with intent.
But Root gave England the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Sharma for 19, at 30-1.
Gill and Jaiswal began to assert themselves onto England’s bowlers.
India reached tea on 43-1, this was the start of what was going to be a torrid session for the tourists.
Jaiswal went into beast mode.
Gill also cashed in at the other end.
The Left-hander reached 50 in 79 balls.
It was utter carnage for England’s bowlers, as they could not control the scoring rate.
The two young guns reached their100-partnership in 122 balls.
Jaiswal reached his third Test century in 121 balls.
Gill’s confidence grew with every shot.
Unfortunately, Jaiswal could not continue, as he walked of the field with a back spasm.
This was a huge relief for Stokes, as the youngster was tormenting England’s bowlers.
Gill continued to attack.
But Rajat Patidar yet again failed to impress as he hit a long-hop straight to Rehan, at 191-1.
But Nightwatchman Kuldeep ensured that no more wickets were lost, as India ended Day three on 196-3, with a lead of 322.
So, Day three ends with the hosts in the driver’s seat with a healthy Lead of 322. India will be looking at possibly batting England out of the game.
England will be looking to restrict them to a suitable score which their Bazballers can chase down.
What will happen on Day 4?
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