By: Tarish Bhatt
England conceded a 200-run first innings lead, but they are still fighting it out in Vizag. The English pacers ripped through India’s top-order on the third day to keep their team alive in the 2nd Test.
When the stumps were called, India were at 98/3. Captain Virat Kohli (56 not out) and Ajinkya Rahane (22 not out) were in the middle. They have stitched an unbeaten 58-run partnership to take India’s lead to 298 runs.
Stuart Broad dismissed both the Indian openers, while James Anderson got rid of Cheteshwar Pujara. Murali Vijay (3) was the first to depart, followed by KL Rahul (10). Pujara (1), meanwhile, got a beauty from Anderson.
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Earlier, India dismissed the visitors for 255, but the hosts opted not to impose the follow-on. Ravichandran Ashwin was pick of the bowlers, as he completed another fifer, and also his 50 wickets in the calendar year.
“Hadn’t had a five-wicket haul against England, but it was not at the top of my mind,” Ashwin said. “I knew I would get it if I stuck to what I do right. The challenges are actually a hassle for the batsmen.”
Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow fought hard for the English team. But, once their partnership got broken, it was just a matter of time for the Indians to bundle them out in the post-tea session.
