Mohali: India would be very happy with the current situation. England end Day 3 at 78/4 in Mohali. The visitors still trail India by 56 runs and have already lost four crucial wickets.
The day belonged to Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav. The spin trio did not only bowl brilliantly to put England in deep trouble, they also contributed handsomely with the bat to help India take a lead of 134 runs in the first innings.
All three tailenders struck half-centuries to help push India to a healthy total of 417. Ashwin made a strong 72, while Jadeja was dismissed for 90. Jayant scored his first international fifty, as he made 55.
Also for the first time, Indian batsmen batting at No. 7, 8 and 9 all scored half-centuries. It was also the seventh time in world cricket.
The trio made life very difficult for the visiting team batsmen, as they picked four wickets on the third day. World No. 1 bowler Ashwin dismissed three English batsmen, while Jayant picked the wicket of Bairstow.
England 78/4 from 38 overs:
Stumps! That's the end of third day's play in Mohali. Indian are on their way to win this one.
England 78/4 from 37.1 overs:
Out! Stokes, out LBW. Third wicket for Ashwin. Stokes. It was given not out by the umpire, but Team India reviewed it and got the wicket. Terrific bowling change by the captain. The ball goes past the edge and hits Stokes on the back pad.
England 70/3 from 31.3 overs:
Out! Jayant Yadav to Jonny Bairstow, out caught by Parthiv Patel. Excellent catch by the wicketkeeper, it kept very low and Bairstow was unlucky to knick it. Ben Stokes has come out to bat. England trail by 63 runs.
England 53/2 from 25 overs:
Root and Bairstow are trying to rebuild the English innings. Ashiwn is out of attack, Jayant Yadav has been called upon. The visitors trail by 81 runs.
England 39/2 from 19.5 overs:
Out! Poor judgement by Moeen Ali. Ashwin picks up his second wicket. The English batsman came down the pitch to hit Ashwin over the long-off, was deceived by the flight and ended up chipping it to Jayant Yadav at long-off. Indian spinners are exploiting the pitch, and English cricket fans would be perplexed. England still trail India by 95 runs.
England 27/1 from 14 overs:
Finally! Big wicket for India. Alastair Cook is clean bowled by R Ashwin. What a peach of delivery. The English skipper just survived two scares, but this time he was left with no option. It was a beauty with drift and dip on that.
England 23/0 from 10 overs:
Eventful last few overs as both the teams opt for review and Cook has managed to be on the winning side both the times. First, India called for a review and after taking eternity, the decision was made. In the next over, Ashwin's delivery hit Cook's pads. Umpire adjudged him out LBW. The England skipper took a review and survived.
India 417 all out:
Ben Stokes ends Indian innings for 417 as Umesh Yadav edges one to the wicketkeeper. India take a solid lead of 134 runs. Stokes completes five-wicket haul.
India 381/8 from 124 overs:
WICKET! Rashid strikes, Jadeja departs. A much needed wicket for England. Jadjea got out on 90 but a very fine knock from the Indian all-rounder.
India 352/7 from 112 overs:
India have crossed 350-run mark as Jadeja and Jayant Yadav continue to frustrate England. The Haryana off-spinner, who impressed one and all in Vizag Test, has continued with his good work in his second Test as well. Jadeja, meanwhile, is looking good to score a ton.
India 301/7 from 95 overs:
WICKET! Bowling change has worked for England straightway as Ben Stokes dismisses R Ashwin. The Indian departs after playing another fine knock. He opened the face of the bat to direct Stokes' delivery through the point region but could not get past Jos Buttler.
India 292/6 from 92 overs:
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have made a solid start on day three of the Test as India have crossed England's total. The duo have hit a couple of wonderful-looking fours on a pitch that's helping the batsmen. India will want these two to bat long.
Mohali: India will bank on R Ashwin and lower order resistance as they aim to get past England’s 283 and secure a respectable lead on day three of the third Test at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Monday.
After failing to cash in on the opportunity to score big after electing to bat, England managed to push the hometeam on the backfoot by scalping six wickets on day two. Indian troubled would have been mounted had it not been for Ashwin and Jadeja’s unbeaten 67-run stand.
Not only it has put India in a touching distance from England’s first innings total, it had avoided some blushes to the Virat Kohli-led side which just exploded after being 148/2 to 204/6.
The task would be cut out for England: scalp quick wickets and dash India’s plans to secure a solid lead. For India, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav will have to bat long.
