England is locking horns with India in an exciting four-Test series for the Anthony de Mello Trophy, defended by India. The opening test is off to an appealing start in Chennai, as the visitor has managed to post a stern total in the opening innings, while it has been on top throughout.
India still has a task at hand as it struggled on Day 3 of the opening Test against England, for the Anthony de Mello Trophy, at the MA Chidambaram (Chepauk) Stadium in Chennai, on Sunday. At stumps, India was 321 runs behind, while Rishabh Pant's dismissal at 91 has made things difficult for the host.
Earlier, England had won the toss and elected to bat first. For the past couple of days, the English batsmen had done a commendable job, with Dominic Sibley, Root and Ben Stokes scoring 50-plus each. Although India had its share of success, it was highly inconsistent and most late during the innings.
Resuming on Day 3 at the overnight score of 555/8, England's pair of Dominic Bess and Jack Leach came out to bat, eyeing the score of 600. However, just 12 runs later, the sixth over of the day from Bumrah saw Bess being trapped leg-before for 34.
Out came James Anderson and faced 12 deliveries, before veteran off-spinner Ashwin knocked him over for an unfortunate duck. England fell short of 600 by 72 runs.
As for the Indians, six bowlers were utilised during the innings, with four tasting success. Nonetheless, Bumrah and Ashwin managed to claim three each, while pacer Ishant Sharma was the most economical one.
Watch England's fall of wickets here:
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The opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill came out, intending to give India a promising start. However, just after 19 runs on the board, Rohit fell for mere six to pacer Jofra Archer, after the former edged it behind to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
As Cheteshwar Pujara come in, along with Gill, he looked to steady the innings further. Nonetheless, 25 runs later, Gill too departed, despite looking in right touch, after being brilliantly caught by James Anderson at mid-on, off Archer again.
Skipper, Virat Kohli then joined Pujara. The two managed to bat it out until the session, looking to steer the innings while keeping wickets in hand.
As Pujara and Kohli resumed the innings post lunch, at the score of 59/2, 12 runs later when Ollie Pope caught Kohli at the short leg off Dominic Bess the pair was being ultra-aggressive. Just a couple of runs later, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, too, fell cheaply, for a mere single, as he was brilliantly caught by Root at mid-off, off Bess again.
Nonetheless, the pair of Pujara and wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant, took charge for the rest of the session. Meanwhile, Pant showed his aggressive side, as he played a quickfire knock of an unbeaten 54, while Pujara too brought up his half-century, which was their fifth and 29th, respectively, in the format, before the tea break.
The post-tea session saw the Pujara and Pant go good, since the score of 154/4. Nonetheless, 38 runs later, Bess got uniquely rid of Pujara for 73, as a pull shot saw the ball bounce off the shoulder of the man at short leg and was caught by Rory Burns at mid-on.
Washinton Sundar joined Pant, as the pair contributed 33 runs, while at the score of 225, Pant squandered his wicket for 91, as a rush of adrenaline saw an ambitious effort being caught by Root at mid-wicket. Nonetheless, it was then the pair of Sundar and Ashwin, who batted out for the rest of the day.
As for the English bowlers, six bowlers have been utilised. Nevertheless, Bess has found the most success, striking on four occasions, piling pressure on the Indians, as the visitor leads by 321.
Brief scores: England 578 (Sibley 87, Root 218, Stokes 82; Ishant 2/52) leads India 257/6 (Pujara 73, Pant 91; Bess 4/55) 321 runs.
