By: Sandipan Bose
Batting forms of three spinners augur well for India. The Indian team now doesn’t need to worry about its lower-order batting. Also, Virat Kohli doesn’t need to worry whether to play four bowlers or making room for five bowlers.
With the batting success of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav, India can rest their case on playing five batsmen. The Day 3 of the 3rd Test between India and England was one such occasion.
It was essentially the Indian lower middle-order that changed the course of the match to drive home all the advantage. After Ashwin’s superb 72, Jadeja chipped in with a smashing 90.
Even Jayant Yadav played freely and helped his team to take 134 first innings lead. The trio’s batting performances were so powerful that even England came out to bat under pressure.
Read More: Jadeja, Jayant Help India Build Healthy Lead
Read More: KL Rahul Ruled Out With Forearm Injury
There were a few appeals here and there, which went in favour of the visitors. But, they eventually had to bow in front of the disciplined Indian spin bowling. On dry Mohali track, where the ball stopped and bounced from the rough patches, the Indian spin trio was at it.
They kept coming hard on the England team with tight bowling that kept them on their toes. The dismissal of England captain Alastair Cook was a classic example on how a team can crumble if the openers are jittery.
England also did the mistake of blocking those deliveries which were supposed to be pushed around for ones and twos. In other words, Cook and his men batted in a cautious way.
With two days left for the Test match, it would right now take a ‘Himalayan task’ to come back strong into game after losing four wickets in the second innings.
The Indian spinners aren’t willing to give it away just like that. They want to finish the game on Day Four only.
