Kolkata: A brilliant opening stand between captain Alastair Cook and Nick Compton has put England in a commanding position against India at Tea on day two of the third Test being played at the Eden Gardens here today.

At the tea interval the visitors were at 121 without loss in reply to India’s 316 that the hosts scored in the first innings. Cook who has already got two hundreds in the past two matches was unbeaten on 80 and Compton was nearing his first half-century, he finished the session on 40.

Earlier in the day, India started their innings at 273/7. MS Dhoni who was unbeaten on 22 started positively and dominated the strike. He ensured that Zaheer is safe at the other end playing only the last few deliveries of the over.

The Indian resilience ended when Monty Panesar got a ball to pitch and straighten to hit Zaheer on the pads. The umpire had no difficult ruling him out. Ishant Sharma has played some good hands in the past but he could only last for three delivery as he yorked himself to give Panesar his fourth.

Dhoni then took the onus upon himself as he hit two sixes of Panesar, he completed his half-century but got out on the very next delivery.      

By Indian Sports News Network