Mumbai: It was one of those days in Test match cricket that could have easily gone in England’s favour but by the time stumps was called by the umpires it was the Indian team lead by Captain Virat Kohli which were the happier lot going into the dressing room. The skipper rose above scoreboard pressure on a turning track to make his 15th Test century in front of a packed crowd.
Earlier this morning, Jake Ball repaid the trust shown in him by his skipper Alaistar Cook by giving him the first over of the day by picking up Cheteshwar Pujara in the second ball of the day. Kohli joined Murali Vijay and he knew that their usual number 5 Ajinkya Rahane who averages 47 was injured and he needed to bat with more responsibility. Vijay and Kohli batted the session out scoring runs at a brisk pace, showing their class and talent.
It was only after lunch that England spinners found the right rhythm and produced a span of game which could have easily turned the game upside down. From 262/2 India were reduced to 307/6 losing Vijay, Karun Nair, Parthiv Patel and R Ashwin. India then 93 runs behind England could have bundled up under immense pressure and top class bowling but R Jadeja and Jayant Yadav made sure that they stand with their skipper who did the rest.
Murali Vijay: The Moustach’d MonkMurali Vijay: The Moustach’d Monk
There was another twist in the tail, England gave chances to both the Indian centurians. Vijay survived a stumping chance yesterday on 45, Kohli was dropped on 68 by Adil Rashid on his own bowling. Not only that even Jayant Yadav was dropped on 8 by Joe Root who is now playing on 30 unbeaten, and then survived an edge down the leg side when the umpire didn’t pick it up and England had no reviews left.It was a day which “could have” been England’s had they taken their chances.
Virat and Jayant would like to add a minimum of 50 runs on Day 4 to take the lead in 3 figures and make life extremely difficult for England batsmen with the turning ball and three spinners in form.
In the words of former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly “England have a monumental task ahead of them.”
An exciting cricketing encounter on Day 4 is a surety.
After Stumps Day 3:
England 400
India 451/7 (142.0 overs)
India lead by 51 runs with 3 wickets remaining in the 1st innings
Virat 147*
Jayant 30*