Such has been India’s turnaround in this Test match at Trent Bridge that England’s 2-0 lead in the five-match Test series not only looks vulnerable but seemed to have come unexpectedly. The hosts have been completely outplayed in the third match and if they stood with a chance after two day’s of play, Day 3 might as well have completely snatched it.
Amidst swing and the threat of James Anderson-Stuart Broad lingering close, India still dominated the morning session and finished it the same way, the only consolation for England being the 23/0 they managed after the final nine overs of play.
India, powered by Virat Kohli’s 23rd Test century, Cheteshwar Pujara’s fighting 72 and Hardik Pandya’s run-a-ball 52 set England a target of 521 to get in two days’ time. India had declared on 352/7.
Also Read: India vs England: Virat Kohli’s 23rd ton sets India up for comeback win’
Victory now looks inevitable for India after complete domination on the third day and therefore The Live Mirror takes a look at five talking points of the day.
Virat Kohli, Centuries and luck
It is strange to write that of the 12 Test centuries Virat Kohli has scored in overseas, five have resulted in defeats (including the twin tons he smashed at Adilade, 2014) and only two fetched wins. Such has been the Indian skipper’s record that while every Test hundred on home soil has brought a win, the luck somewhat turns opposite in foreign conditions.
But the century at Trent Bridge, his 23rd Test ton and second in England assured that this time it was not going a waste. The so unlike him hundred, which had none of his aggressiveness or enmity but was calm, composed and measured propelled India to give England a 521-run target to achieve.
And unless God himself intervenes or something special or miraculous is put on display India look set to make the series 1-2, with two matches remaining.
England’s fallible hands at slips
As Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara occupied the crease happy to wait and play for a longer period, England’s chances of a wicket slowly diminished and they were helped neither by the fallible hands of few of their compatriots standing in the slips.
After dropping Dhawan on the night before, England continued with their pathetic slip fielding on Monday, dropping both Pujara and Kohli in crucial junctures. 36-year-old James Anderson was the bowler both the times and his reaction on the opportunities gone showed how England’s missed opportunities were hurting them the most.
After a quiet morning session, where India negated England’s swing-threat by controlling and leaving out balls outside off, Andeson still managed to find one that swung back at Pujara and kissed his bat, flying straight to Jos Buttler, who bent low but failed to hold on to the catch.
It got even worse much later when Pujara had already departed and Kohli was nearing his century. seven runs shy of another remarkable Test ton, the Indian skipper nicked another of Anderson’s delivery that flew straight to Keaton Jennings at gully, who let the ball slip through and under his radar without even a touch. It increased the number of England’s dropped catches to 15 in the ongoing series.
Cheteshwar Pujara finally scores some runs
The last time Pujara scored a half-century was during the final Test of the India-South Africa series. He has since then played numerous county cricket but not scored a 50. All that was however laid to rest as the 30-year-old right-handed batsmen combined with Kohli to record his 18th Test half-century.
He made a fighting 72 and was as calm as he has always been.
After Ajinkya Rahane benefited from the presence of the Indian captain at the crease during the first inning, it was Pujara’s tun in the second and Kohli ensured that the struggling No.3 had ample of time to settle.
A perfect Test match for Hardik Pandya
Ask all-rounders of what their dream match would be and most will answer of games where they had contributed both with the bat and ball. Hardik Pandya is currently enjoying one such encounter.
After rocking the England batting-order with a five-wicket haul in the first inning, Pandya smashed a half-century in the second. Coming to bat at the fall of Rishabh Pant’s wicket, when India was looking for more and fast runs, the 24-year-old sent Adil Rashid out of the park making a Man of the Match case for himself with vital contributions with both the ball and bat.
Will England survive?
The sun came out when England came to bat but lasted just five minutes with leaden clouds and overcast conditions once again ruling over the third day’s Test match. Ravichandran Ashwin bowled a couple of over sand the ball spun, similarly, there was enough movement for the fast bowlers.
England’s defeat against South Africa by an innings and some runs at the same venue is still fresh in minds and unless they find out ways to survive the two long days, a victory looks improbable for India.
Moreover, Jonny Bairstow, one of England’s in-form batsman has broken the middle finger of his left hand and finds himself in a run against time to bat.