England vs India 5th Test, Day 3, Review: Joe Root and Co tighten the screws on the visitors

By the close of play on the second day, India found themselves in dire straits with a massive trail ahead of them and not many wickets left in the first innings. The closing stages of the day yet again saw a flurry of wickets go down and India needed something extraordinary to turn the tables on the home team. England, on the contrary, looked in a commanding position.

The third day belonged to India and their dominance can be attributed to some resolute performers from the lower order following some valiant efforts from the bowlers. However, despite their impressive shows, England would be the happier side at the end of the third day’s play of the fifth and final Test at Kennington Oval in London as they are leading by 154 runs.

Jadeja and Vihari frustrate the Brits  

Hanuma Vihari and Ravindra Jadeja were the overnight batsmen and both had a daunting task ahead of them to guide their team to safer shores. Both buckled down and looked in no trouble whatsoever. The hosts would’ve dearly wished for some early wickets to warp the Indian innings up, but the batsmen frustrated them by mixing caution with aggression.

The duo eventually put on 77 runs for the seventh wicket and brought the deficit down significantly. Meanwhile, Vihari accomplished a half-century in his maiden appearance in national colours. Unfortunately, a couple of overs before lunch, he was nipped out by Moeen Ali for 56 runs in 124 balls. India ended the session with the score at 240/7 in 79 overs.

Jadeja dictates terms

The post-lunch session well and truly belonged to Jadeja as he went from strength to strength with the progression of his innings. He reached his half-century to take India closer to the Three Lions’ score. Ishant Sharma couldn’t lend him support and fell prey to Ali. Mohammed Shami also was unable to stay put in his wicket and gave Adil Rashid his first wicket in the innings.

With a trail of 72 runs and one wicket left, Jadeja was left with a monstrous task, but the left-handed batter didn’t drop the gun. Rather, he took the attack to the opposition and smashed the bowlers to all corners of the ground. The 29-year-old scored all the 32 runs in his partnership with number eleven Jasprit Bumrah. He eventually racked up 86 runs and India were bowled out for 292 runs.

The Poms keep their cool  

Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings played out the nine overs for 20 runs and helped the Brits to a lead of 60 runs going into tea. Nevertheless, just after the break, Shami got rid of Jennings owing to the batter’s misjudged leave outside the off stump. Left-hander Moeen Ali put a price tag on his wicket in the first innings and he trod the same approach in the second innings as well.

Nonetheless, he became Jadeja’s first victim. A spring in India’s step was palpable as they could sense an opportunity to end the day on a positive note. To their agony, skipper Joe Root came out with an attacking mindset and smacked quite a few boundaries to build on England’s lead. In the end, both Root and Cook compiled a 52-run stand to end their team’s day on a high.

Brief Scores

England: 332 all out in 122 overs; (Jos Buttler 89, Alastair Cook 71; Ravindra Jadeja 4/79, Ishant Sharma 3/62)

India: 292 all out in 95 overs; (Ravindra Jadeja 86, Hanuma Vihari 56; Moeen Ali 2/50, James Anderson 2/54)

England: 114/2 in 43 overs; (Alastair Cook 46, Joe Root 29; Mohammed Shami 1/32, Ravindra Jadeja 1/36)

England lead by 154 runs

Close of play: Day 3

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