India v England, 3rd Test Day 2 - 5 Talking Points

The England bowlers succeeded in pegging back the India batsmen on the second day’s play as the match now stands on a knife-edge, something that has been a very rare case in the subcontinent in recent times. If it had not been for the heroics of skipper Virat Kohli and his batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, the visiting Britons would have surely been all over the Indian batsmen, to say the least. Both batsmen managed half-centuries, something that was hard-fought as well.

As for England, they will certainly be mighty pleased with their bowling effort on a wicket that seems to be turning a country mile from the second day’s play itself. While Jonny Bairstow impressed with the bat, it was clear that Ben Stokes was perhaps the only player with some sort of an ability to pick wickets at will. Although it was Adil Rashid who picked up the wickets, it was Stokes who had made the breaks in play and made the Indian batsmen work for their runs. While there were a plethora of talking points, here are five of the most prominent talking points from the days’ play.

1. Mohammad Shami gobbles up England lower order

The previous day’s play had seen the bowlers from India cramp up all over the England batsmen like a rash. Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami had made the ball do much more than just talk. While there is a fine line between making the ball talk and making the ball say, the dynamic pace duo for the Indians was indeed making the ball speak.

This speaking continued into the first session of the second day’s play wherein they gobbled up the remaining England wickets whilst conceding little or no rush, to say the least. The Brits could manage just the 21 runs in the morning session as Mohammad Shami picked up the wickets of both Adil Rashid and Gareth Batty as the Indians succeeded in ensuring that the England total did not cross the 300-run mark.

2. Parthiv Patel shines on Indian team recall

When Parthiv Patel was recalled into the Indian Test squad from what can only be assumed from oblivion after a hiatus of six years, it was clear that there was some ulterior motive in play. Of course, Parthiv was very much a part of the Indian side that was captained by Anil Kumble, but his glovework and batting were miles apart. While his batting has been spectacular to more spectacular,his glove work can range from marginally competent to shoddy, to say the least.

While there could have been no complaints about the 31-year old’s keeping skills during the England batting innings, his batting was once again greeted with the poise and skill that one has always believed he had. While his opening partner Murali Vijay was once again dismissed for some terrible stroke-making, it was Parthiv who held the innings together in what was his first opening stint as far as the Indian Test team was concerned. He smashed 42 runs and looked extremely assured as he went about his crusade against the England bowlers.

3. Ben Stokes and Adil Rashid make timely breakthroughs

In spite of the good weather conditions, the dryness of the wicket was proving to be a grovelling experience for the England frontline pacers. With Stuart Broad rested, James Anderson and Chris Woakes were given the dubious honour of playing with the new ball. However, the new ball yielded them little or no joy as Alastair Cook was forced to bring on his spinner and lucky charm Ben Stokes. The lucky charm worked for the most part as Murali Vijay was the first to lose his wicket to Ben Stokes before he snapped up Virat Kohli. Adil Rashid picked three wickets including the ones of Parthiv, Rahane, and Pujara.

4. Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara impress with the bat yet again

Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara are perhaps two of the most important players in the Indian side at the moment. While the fact of the matter does indeed remain that India boasts of players such as Ajinkya Rahane as well as Karun Nair in their ranks, these two are the most dependable batsmen in the side. Once again, these two reprised their roles in the side as the silent killer as they managed half-centuries, something that helped the Indians save their blushes and scamper towards safety. While Pujara managed 51, Kohli smashed 62 before the Stokes and Rashid partnership once again triggered the downfall of the two batsmen.

5. Jadeja and Ashwin revive India as match hinges on a knife-edge

While England does indeed have an impeccable record when it comes to being the ‘Comeback Kings’, the Indian spin duo once again came to the rescue. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have been India’s most impressive spin-twins in recent times as they have been the ones to usually churn out results for the Indians with the ball. However, this time around, the duo reprised their roles, but with the bat, as their partnership saw the Indians come within touching distance of the England first innings total. Jadeja played second-fiddle for the most part as Ashwin helped himself to yet another Test match ton as Day 3 promises to be a scintillating day.