England vs India, 1st Test, Day 3, Review: Virat Kohli key for visitors in a breathless chase after a 14-wicket day

As expected, the third day of the first Test match between England and India swung dramatically in either side’s favour. But in the end, the hosts had a slight upper hand by stumps despite the fact that Virat Kohli is still in the middle for the visitors looking rock solid as ever. However, Sam Curran is the only reason why his team is in the game and dominating.

He came out to bat with his team completely in tatters at 86/6 and soon witnessed Jos Buttler being dismissed by Ishant Sharma to make it 87/7. Adil Rashid and Curran then joined hands and surprisingly denied India a wicket for almost 15 overs. Rashid played cautiously while the latter was keen on taking an advantage of any freebies offered by the bowlers who just took their feet off the pedal.

The partnership began to frustrate the visitors and even the catches dropped didn’t help their cause. Curran was reprieved on 13 by Shikhar Dhawan who reacted late while standing at the first slip. A few overs later, Umesh Yadav bowled a beautiful outswinger to induce an edge off Rashid’s bat but again Dhawan was up to the mark and the count of drops in this match from both the sides increased.

However, Rashid’s drop didn’t hurt India as much as Curran’s did. After his partner fell, the 20-year-old stunned the opposition by smashing Ravi Ashwin for a six and a four off the back-to-back deliveries. The assault led to the off-spinner being removed from the attack immediately. He didn’t stop there and went on to smash an amazing maximum to Ishant, who was the best bowler of the innings for India, to bring up his maiden half-century.

Finally, though the last couple of wickets fell quickly and the lanky fast bowler had his revenge as he dismissed Curran who had taken the game a long way away from them. From 87/7, England had reached 180 and the first innings lead of 13 runs meant that the visitors were chasing 194 which looked daunting courtesy the conditions and the shift in momentum.

India batsmen at it again

There was no doubt that the Indian openers needed to show the grit once again. They managed to see of the new ball for five overs but Stuart Broad, who was poor in the first attempt, got one to nip back in sharply and Murali Vijay offered no shot to it. The ball hit his pads and he had no option but to walk back to the dressing room.

Shikhar Dhawan once again was caught in the slips and his poor run on the tour continued. Virat Kohli, the man on the mission waked in once again with his team in trouble. His wicket and the game was done and dusted. But the man rose to the occasion. After a few plays and misses, he settled himself and played a few delightful strokes. Amongst all, the cover drive which he played to Curran made the day for the Indian fans.

However, KL Rahul received a Jaffa at the other end and Ajinkya Rahane continued to disappoint which reduced India to 63/4. The master of swing bowling Anderson made it 78/5 soon as he made Ashwin succumb to outside the off-stump delivery.

But Kohli kept his cool and rode the innings twice in the game. He got an able supporter in Dinesh Karthik who looked assured in his footwork today. They cautiously played out the rest of the day and brought the team 84 within the target. India ended the day on 110/5 and the fascinating fourth day’s play awaits everyone.

Ishant sizzles in the morning

Earlier in the morning, India began the day with a slight advantage and soon were bossing it thanks to Ashwin who nipped out the wickets of Keaton Jennings and Joe Root. There was a brief partnership between Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan but Ishant began his dream spell then. He first squared up the latter and then bowled the most amazing over of the day.

The 31st over of England’s innings saw Bairstow edging one which was superbly caught by Dhawan at first slip this time. A ball later, he managed to fox Ben Stokes as well and this time Kohli caught in the slips. Lunch was called then but on resumption, he also scalped Jos Buttler with a brilliant delivery and left hapless England reeling at 87/7.

But then there was a certain 20-year-old who took the game away and to be fair the visitors conceded a lot more and are now chasing the leather.

Brief Scores

England 287  (J Root 80, J Bairstow 70; R Ashwin 4/62) & 180 (S Curran 63; I Sharma 5/51)

India 274 (V Kohli 149; S Curran 4/74) & 110/5 (V Kohli 43*; S Broad 2/29)

State of the match: India need 84 runs to win.

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