IND v ENG, 4th Test Day 3 Review: India gains edge as King Kohli slams century

Skipper Kohli smashed his 15th Test century in front of a packed Wankhede stadium to pilot India past England’s first innings total and gain a 51 run lead at stumps on day three. It was a dramatic day of cricket where the momentum shifted from one to the other with each passing session. After starting off steadily and ending the first session on a high, India lost wickets in clusters to give away the advantage to the visitors. However, Kohli stood firm through all three sessions day and helped India sail through the day easily in the end.

Murali Vijay and Kohli knitted an unbeaten 101 run stand for the 3rd wicket to help India finish at a strong 247/2 at the end of the opening session. India made a quick recovery after losing overnight batsman Cheteshwar Pujara off the second ball of the day to pocket the session and inch closer to overhauling the England formidable first innings total of 400.

Vijay emerged as the star of the session and stretched his personal score unbeaten 124* by adding 54 runs in the session play. Virat also was equally competent and hit runs at a steady pace to compliment the well-set Vijay.

India had to deal with a stunner in the very first over. Resuming to bat at the overnight score of 146/1, Pujara took the strike and was deceived by Jake Ball off the second delivery, in a rather shocking manner. What seemed to be a normal delivery eventually ended up being the most productive ball of the session.

Ball started off with a regulation good length delivery outside off-stump before coming close to the delivery stride and bowling an in-swinger that did just enough to hit the top of the off-stump to bring England their first and the only breakthrough of the session.

India, however, had a smooth sailing throughout the session as Kohli combined with Vijay to frustrate England and narrow the deficit. Cook stuck to using hi strengths – Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid – for the most part of the session. But, the duo had no issues neutering them and coming out on top.

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The upcoming session will be very crucial from England’s point of view considering the fact that both Vijay and Kohli may just run away with the big scores. With the hosts trailing by any only 153 runs, an inability to get rid of at least of them, if not both of them would give India a firm grip over the proceeding. England must ensure a big turnaround in the upcoming session.

And, the spinners responded brilliantly to the situation by claiming 4 wickets in the post-lunch session to keep the strings tight around India. The burst of wickets from English spinners saw India lose a bit of momentum initially before Kohli and Jadeja boosted the scoreboard with some attacking shots.

Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid snapped one each while Joe Root turned out to be the surprise weapon taking two middle order wickets. The session began with a huge blow in the form of Murali Vijay was gifted his wicket to Rashid. After batting with superior focus, Vijay sort of experienced a lapse and hit a return catch the leg-spinner off a low full toss. There was an obvious disbelief on his face but the Englishmen were delighted no matter how the wicket fell.

Karun Nair, who had a bad debut in the Mohali test, had another great chance to prove his worth as a Test cricketer. But, unfortunately, the Karnataka star was trapped LBW shortly after Vijay’s dismissal and added to the downslide.

The deteriorations of the wicket prompted Cook to bring in part-timer Joe Root into the attack, a move that paid off in the form of two quick wickets. Root spin claimed the in-form Parthiv Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin in back to back overs to reduce India to 307/6 from being 262/2 at the beginning of the session.

While all this happened at one end, Kohli could do nothing but watch the events unfold at the non-striker’s end. As it happened on spin friendly wickets previously, whether in Mumbai, Colombo or UAE, there is always a fear of a total slump. India was cruising towards England’s total at the end of the Lunch session. But by the time the next 25 overs were bowled in the following session, India found themselves in a tricky position.

But, Kohli (83*) along with Jadeja (22*) opted to go full – attack mode and brought some respite with an unbeaten 41 runs from just 53 balls stand for the 7th wicket. Jaddu started off in his usual manner, His first three scoring shots – a boundary, a six followed by another four – spoke about his approach. Kohli also felt the need for the same attitude and began dominating the spinners with some crispy shots. This aggressive effort from the duo helped India find some stability after the string of setback.

Situations favored India in the final session as Kohli continued to flourish. England, who caused nervousness in the Indian cap with back to back strikes, lost their grip after striking immediately after the break in the form of Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja’s departure further made spectators believe that the end of India’s inning was near.

But Jayant Yadav (30) hung around with Kohli and solidified his reputation of being a reliable all-rounder. The duo effectively played out the final session where they added 87* runs and helped India finish the day on a high. Jayant faced a couple of close chances but eventually managed to finish the day unconquered much to the relief of the India fans.

Jadeja approach saw no change after the break he tried going after the bowler whenever the opportunity arose. But, his stay in the middle was cut short in the 118th over by leg-spinner Adil Rashid. Jadeja could not stop himself from attempting to clear a nice looped delivery after getting underneath the pitch of the ball. Unfortunately, he could not connect the ball and ended up hitting it straight up in the air to Buttler in the mid-off region, giving Rashid his second wicket on a hard working day.

The leg-spinner was by far the most threatening bowler. Cook had no option but to use him throughout the day which end saw him bowl 45 over and returning with 2/152. England overall created chances regularly but could not capitalise, especially in the last session where Jayant survived twice.

Few overs after getting Jadeja, Rashid had almost got new man Jayant Yadav in the 122nd overs. It was a big appeal led by the bowler. But, Erasmus had thought otherwise and turned down the appeal forcing Cook to review which was eventually turned down.

England quickly went for the new ball expecting some turnaround from James Anderson and Jake Ball. The chances arrived as well when Anderson nearly got Yadav caught at second slips off the last ball in the 130th over when the new ball was taken. The batsman was on 8 at that time.

Kohli wasn’t safe and survived chances with one coming off Rashid bowling before tea after the leg-spinner put down a caught and bowled chance. If England could have coverted these opportunities, the tourists would have perhaps ended up in a better position at stumps after reviving the contest on the second session.

Brief Scores: 

England: 385/8 ( Keaton Jennings 117; Ravichandran Ashwin 6/112)

India: 451/7 (Virat Kohli 147; Joe Root 2/18)