Highlights, India vs England, 3rd Test at Nottingham, Day 3, full Cricket Score: England need 498 more to win

Stumps, Day 3

So, Cook and Jennings survive the tricky passage of play before stumps, ensuring England have all their wickets intact. Nevertheless, India are in pole position to win the Test. Two whole days left in the match, so no need for the Indian supporters to fret. Captain Kohli leads the tourists off the field.

Very little doubt as to whom the third day belonged to. Just for the record, England still need 498 runs.

After 9 overs,England 23/0 ( Alastair Cook 9 , Keaton Jennings 13)

Ashwin clearly bowling in some pain here. Cook gets forward and is able to defend well. Looks like there will an extra catcher for the off spinner, substitute Shardul Thakur runs in from the dressing room with a helmet for the close in fielder that Virat wants to deploy. Good strategy from India to keep Cook waiting. Attracts a lot of ‘boos’ from the crowd. Thakur got the head covered but that wouldn’t be all as Ravindra Jadeja gets the guard for the abdomen. Rahul will field at silly point. Cook defends and does it well as he negates the final over of third day’s play.

After 8 overs,England 23/0 ( Alastair Cook 9 , Keaton Jennings 13)

Big over stepping from Ishant to start his fourth over. He continues to attack the stumps. Jennings is able to work it away safely on the onside. Again, Ishant’s delivery pitches in the corridor, draws Jennings forward, but the ball evades the outside edge. Jennings doesn’t get the cut right to a short and wide delivery, ends up almost chopping it on. A full ball is driven to short cover for no run. Maiden. Three minutes remaining. One left. Can India sneak in a wicket.

Cook will be under a lot of pressure and Virat will make sure he doesn’t make it one bit easy.

Some fantastic bowling from Bumrah, who looks to have dusted off the rust after that first innings. Ashwin in now and will probably have two overs before stumps.

After 7 overs,England 22/0 ( Alastair Cook 9 , Keaton Jennings 13)
 

Touch short to start with from Ashwin as Cook goes deep in his crease and flicks it to mid wicket for a couple. Bowls a full delivery that gets some turn and plenty of bounce as the ball goes past Cook’s tentative push. Remember Ashwin didn’t bowl much in the first innings due to the injury. He hopped after a delivery. Looks in some pain. Not sure if he is 100% fit. Two more Tests remaining after this. Time for Jadeja to start warming up for the next two Tests? Too soon?

Here he is. Ravichandran Ashwin to Cook. Two slips and a short leg in place.

After 6 overs,England 20/0 ( Alastair Cook 7 , Keaton Jennings 13)

Ishant Sharma gets the ball to swerve as he goes past Jennings’ outside edge. Couple of solid blocks from Jennings and good leave as well.Eyes turn towards the clock as eleven minutes remain in close of play. Three overs still left. Should be able to get in. Sure Ashwin will be given the ball for an over at least.

After 5 overs,England 20/0 ( Alastair Cook 7 , Keaton Jennings 13)

Cook jumps on the back foot and pushes it through the covers for a couple. Bumrah follows it up with jaffa. No way any batsman could have played that delivery. Was the scrambled seam that was pitched on good length on middle and off from round the wicket. After pitching the ball moved away from the left-hander going against angle, that completely beguiled Cook. Fortunate to not edge it. Was not too far from the top off stump either. Cook gets a boundary off the next ball as Bumrah slips it on to his pads. Three dots to finish.

FOUR! Bumrah bowls it little to straight and Cook goes back and stroke it away to mid wicket fence.

After 4 overs,England 14/0 ( Alastair Cook 1 , Keaton Jennings 13)

Cook gets off the mark off his tenth ball. The ball was angled in and then it straightens a touch, Cook had it well covered. Pushes to backward point for a single. The one extra man from the slips is removed and he standing at backward point, more like a squarer short third man. Ishant maintains good lines outside off. Couple of well-judged leaves from Jennings.

After 3 overs,England 13/0 ( Alastair Cook 0 , Keaton Jennings 13)
 

After the boundary by Jennings through point off the second ball, a firm push through mid off for a couple, before Bumrah changes his angle to round the wicket.  He aims at his pads and Jennings get a inside edge on to his legs. He earns another boundary guiding it past the slip cordon. A full ball on off to finish. Jennings presents full face to block it.

FOUR! Boundary to third man. Jennings had it well under control, again played with soft hands and ensured he opened the blade very late to get it in the gap.

FOUR! Jennings gets forward and drives it with a slight open face to steer it through point for the first boundary of England’s second innings.

After 2 overs,England 3/0 ( Alastair Cook 0 , Keaton Jennings 3)

Ishant begins round the stumps to Jennings. The gully is wider for Jennings compared to where Rahane was positioned for Cook. Ishant attacks the stumps straightaway. Looking the ball to straighten after pitching it. Jennings opens the account with a crisp drive through mid off for a couple. Sharma beats the outside edge of Jennings off the fourth ball. Another man is added in the slip cordon. Dhawan comes at second slip, Rahul and Kohli move towards their left to third and fourth slip subsequently. Pujara is the first slip. Jennings turns the strike with a push on the offside. Ishant adjusts the fine leg fielder before bowling the last ball to Cook. He bowls it outside the off stump, which Cook leaves it alone.

Ishant Sharma shares the new ball.

After 1 overs,England 0/0 ( Alastair Cook 0 , Keaton Jennings 0)
 

Very good start this from Jasprit Bumrah as he angles the first over across Cook. The third ball off the over clearly stands out. Hit the good length and rose sharply, whizzed past the outside edge, there was very little Cook could do as he hung his bat out in nothing but hope. Maiden over

Keaton Jennings shadow practices. Alastair Cook too marking his guard. Task at hand see out this phase of play. If Cook is dismissed by the pacers. Ashwin will be introduced at some point.

England’s second innings starts: Jasprit Bumrah to Alastair Cook. Three slips standing very close to eachother and close to the batsman as well in an umbrella. There is gully too, who is almost like a fifth slip.

Highest targets set by India in SENA countries in Tests:

617 v NZ, Wellington, 2009
521 v Eng, Nottingham, 2018*
500 v Eng, The Oval, 2007

After 110 overs,India 352/7 ( Hardik Pandya 52 , Ravichandran Ashwin 1)

Rashid’s over turns out to be the last over of the Indian innings as Virat Kohli calls Hardik Pandya and Ravi Ashwin, who got off the mark off the one ball he faced, back in the pavilion. Nine overs left in the day’s play. India have set England an improbable 521 to win the Test. Indian pacers stretch their way out as Cook and Jennings jog into the dressing room. Interesting passage of play to follow…

Nine overs remaining in the day’s play.

OUT! Mohammed Shami uses the long handle and goes for the big slog sweep, eyeing the cow corner boundary, a man in the deep, it is Alaistair Cook, clings on.

Shami c Cook b Adil Rashid 3(6)

Indian players scoring a fifty and taking a 5-for in a Test in England:

Lala Amarnath, Lord’s, 1946
Vinoo Mankand, Lord’s, 1952
Kapil Dev, Lord’s, 1982
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nottingham, 2014
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lord’s, 2014
HARDIK PANDYA*, Nottingham, 2018*

Fifty for Pandya. This is turning out to be his Test. R Ashwin is the next batsman in. India are batting on, albeit Dhawan has now gone in from the balcony.

FIFTY! Pandya taps it on the offside and picks a single to bring his half-century. What a match he is having. A five wicket with the ball, now run-a-ball half-century. Still no declaration.

FOUR! Scrambled seam and short by Rashid. Pandya stands and hits through the line. Straight down the ground

After 109 overs,India 344/6 ( Hardik Pandya 45 , Mohammed Shami 3)

Field is spread out from England, only one slip in place. it remains the same for the number eight batsman Mohammed Shami. England too battling time now. Interesting tactics this. Pandya is unable to get it away off the first three balls, runs a leg bye. Visuals of bowling coach Bharat Arun selecting the new ball for the second innings. Matter of time, or perhaps Hardik’s half-century.

After 108 overs,India 339/6 ( Hardik Pandya 44 , Mohammed Shami 1)

Eventful over there. A six and a thick edge over over first slip from Pandya after Rahane’s wicket off the first ball. Mohammed Shami is sent in at number eight. Hardik denies a run off the final ball. Ten runs off it. Lead rises over 500.

Dhawan and Pujara in their training jerseys as Rahane gets out. I am not sure there is a point to declare today. But it seems it could happen.

SIX! Pandya comes down the track and launces it over long on for a biggie! India galloping now

OUT! Wrong’un from Rashid and Ajinkya Rahane, who read it, plays inside the line of the turn. Misses and the ball just kisses the off stumps. Rahane’s look vigil comes to an end.

 A Rahane b Adil Rashid 29(94)

After 107 overs,India 329/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 29 , Hardik Pandya 35)

Pandya isn’t able to middle an attempted loft over mid on, but nails a flick and hard slash for back-to-back boundaries in the over. The lead is now 497.

FOUR! Touch short and wide from Broad and Pandya slashes through cover point. What a shot! Sends the ball scurrying to the boundary.

FOUR! That was some wrist work from Pandya. Stood tall and simply whipped it to mid wicket fence

India setting 500-plus target in the fourth innings of a Test for the opposition:

617 v New Zealand, Wellington, 2009
550 v Sri Lanka, Galle, 2017
516 v Australia, Mohali, 2008
509 v Sri Lanka, Ahmedabad, 2005
500 v England, The Oval, 2007

India scoring 300-plus runs in each innings of a Test:

Overall – 25 times
Outside Asia – 10 times
In England – 4 times

Stuart Broad comes on to bowl

After 106 overs,India 321/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 29 , Hardik Pandya 27)

Pandya smashes it to deep extra cover for a single. So we see substitute Shardul Thakur run onto the pitch with a bottle of drink, but obviously he has a ‘message’ to deliver. A reverse and a paddle from Pandya fetches him nothing. A traditional backfoot punch earns him a single off the final ball. Three off it.

After 105 overs,India 318/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 28 , Hardik Pandya 25)

Is India looking at 500? Or aiming to bat out the entire day? How much more pain does Virat Kohli wish to inflict? Rahane is happy to just be out there. He isn’t in any hurry, while Pandya has shown the initiative to find the fence.

FOUR! Pitched up from Stokes and Pandya slices it on the off stump. Was played uppishly but wide of the cover fielder.

After 104 overs,India 313/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 28 , Hardik Pandya 20)

Pandya employs the sweep to a tossed up delivery from Rashid, takes two to deep square leg, tucks it for a single to square leg. Rahane is taps it to fielders for no run.

After 103 overs,India 310/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 28 , Hardik Pandya 17)

Ben Stokes continues. Begins with a short ball that Rahane meets over his head and taps it down on the leg side for a single. Hardik is unable to make optimum use of the full toss bowled by Stokes mistimes it wide of cover for a single. Stokes goes past Rahane’s outside edge of the penultimate delivery.

After 102 overs,India 308/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 27 , Hardik Pandya 16)

Pandya frees his arms. Hammers one over mid off to end the over. Rashid actually bowled well in that over and pegged Rahane back. He bowled a very good googly and Rahane nearly chopped it on. 5 runs off the over.

After 101 overs,India 303/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 26 , Hardik Pandya 12)

Stokes still struggling his lines right, he dragged one short and wide outside off, Rahane thumped it through cover-point for four. A single more made it five runs off the over.  300 up for India.

FOUR! Short and wide outside off from Stokes, Rahane thumps it through cover-point.

India’s run-rate hasn’t increased despite Pant’s arrival and departure, or in fact Pandya’s arrival or departure. Clearly, this is about breaking English spirits. Keep batting on and keep them in the field. There are six sessions still left after this. Sky and BBC commentators looking for declaration, but are wasting their time.

Stokes continues…

After 100 overs**,India** 298/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 21 , Hardik Pandya 12)

A very good over from Rashid. Pandya went for a swing across the line but only managed to mistime it to the leg side for a single. Rashid then kept Rahane in check with his variation which included a very good googly. And the last one beat Pandya’s outside edge. 2 runs off the over.

Adil Rashid into the attack now…

After 99 overs,India 295/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 19 , Hardik Pandya 11)

Stokes is getting some late movement. But he struggled to get his lines right. ne was sprayed down the leg side which was called wide and one on the pads. 3 runs off the over.

Virat Kohli’s self drive is absolutely unflappable 

He’s supremely talented, made runs everywhere with great aplomb, has a remarkable conversion rate for centuries. But at the core of @imVkohli’s success is tenacity and fierce ambition to be the best

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 20, 2018

Stokes into the attack now

After 98 overs**,India** 292/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 18 , Hardik Pandya 10)

Woakes bowls another good over. He nearly had Pandya twice. Beats his outside edge at first and then nearly had him caught at deep backward point where it falls just short of the fielder. Rahane too was beaten as he went for an expansive drive.

Virat Kohli’s average in Test cricket:

Before England Test series, 2014: 46.51
England Test series, 2014: 13.40
Between England Test series, 2014 and 2018: 64.89 
England Test series, 2018: 73.33

After 97 overs,India 291/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 18 , Hardik Pandya 9)

A good over for India. Pandya hit two fours in that over. Both stylish. Anderson was a bit off his lines which is rare.

This Test Series for India so far:

Virat Kohli: 440 runs (Six innings – ave. 73.33)
Top-3 combined: 342 runs (18 innings – ave. 19.00)

Scoring 200-plus runs in a Test most times:

17 – Kumar Sangakkara 
15 – Brian Lara
14 – Don Bradman 
13 – Ricky Ponting 
12 – VIRAT KOHLI*

FOUR! Thumped! Pandya cuts it very late through point off Anderson. 2nd four in the over.

There is some problem with the landing area and Anderson has called out the groundsmen.

FOUR! On the pads, a rare error from Anderson, Pandya flicks it through mid-wicket.

Customary Tendulkar appreciation tweet

Another sublime knock by @imVkohli and a gritty one by @cheteshwar1. #TeamIndia in a really strong position to finish the game now. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/MvF7bvpBTZ

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 20, 2018

After 96 overs**,India** 282/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 18 , Hardik Pandya 0)

Apart from the last delivery which he dragged down the leg side, Woakes was accurate in that over and even beat Rahane’s outside edge. A maiden.

Woakes continues…

After 95 overs,India 282/5 ( Ajinkya Rahane 18 , Hardik Pandya 0)

Anderson has worked really hard. Bent his back and is finally getting rewarded. He nearly had Pant off the fourth delivery when the Indian wicket-keeper went for a expansive shot over covers but the caught behind appeal was turned down. He, however, had his man off the next ball, induces an outside edge to first slip where Cook makes no mistake. A maiden wicket.

Pant gone, rather tamely. Didn’t look as if he was interested in staying at the wicket as he tried to heave a couple deliveries from Anderson. Pandya out in the middle. If he gets out, you wonder if India will change their plans and declare tonight? Lead is 450 and it is quite enough already.

Hardik Pandya is the new batsman.

OUT! Anderson gets Rishabh Pant. 

Anderson steams in from round the wicket and darts in a good length delivery. It seams away. Pant pokes and gets an outside edge to first slip. There was a huge caught behind appeal off the earlier delivery as Pant went for an expansive shot over cover but the umpire turned it down.

Pant c Cook b Anderson 1(6)

Forget that. Hundred for Virat Kohli. 40 times in Test cricket, he has gone past 50. And he has converted 23 times to triple figures. Insane! 

Out. Finally, England have got the wicket they wanted. Virat Kohli is gone for 103. LBW to Woakes after Anderson worked him over and still didn’t take his wicket. Rahane asked for the referral and it is out on umpire’s call. Most marginal of calls though. Interestingly, after one innings Rishabh Pant has come out at number six. Quick runs?

More than five centuries in most successive calendar years in international cricket:

4 – Sachin Tendulkar (1996,97,98,99)
4 – Steve Smith and David Warner (2014,15,16,17)
3 – VIRAT KOHLI* (2016,17,18)

Most times scoring more than five centuries in a calendar year in international cricket:

7 – Sachin Tendulkar 
6 – VIRAT KOHLI*
4 – Hashim Amla, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, David Warner

Most centuries by Indian players in Test cricket:

51 – Sachin Tendulkar
36 – Rahul Dravid
34 – Sunil Gavaskar
23 – VIRAT KOHLI*
23 – Virender Sehwag

After 94 overs,India 282/4 ( Ajinkya Rahane 18 , Rishabh Pant (W) 1)

Woakes has bowled well and got rewarded for his discipline. He got Kohli out in that over. Hitting the good length areas has been the key and he’s done that consistently.

Rishabh Pant walks out to bat…..

OUT! Woakes gets Kohli.  

Good length delivery outside off, nips back in. Kohli looks to flick across the line but misses and gets hit on the pads. They all go up in an appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Kohli has a word with Rahane and opts to take the review. Replays show it was clipping leg. Kohli walks off to a standing ovation.

Kohli lbw b Woakes 103(197)

After 93 overs**,India** 279/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 102 , Ajinkya Rahane 17)

Another good over from Anderson. A maiden. Rahane cautious with his defense. Anderson is getting good shape away from the batsman. And he has gnerated good rhythm post lunch

Buried and how!

No 23 for Kohli. Hard fought, well crafted, master of all formats. Loved his application. 2014 is buried.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 20, 2018

Most overseas centuries among captains in Test cricket:

17 – Graeme Smith
9 – VIRAT KOHLI*
9 – Alastair Cook
9 – Clive Lloyd
9 – Steve Waugh

Most centuries by Indian batsmen in SENA countries in Tests:

17 – Sachin Tendulkar
10 – VIRAT KOHLI*
10 – Rahul Dravid
8 – Sunil Gavaskar
6 – Mohammad Azharuddin

After 92 overs,India 279/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 102 , Ajinkya Rahane 17)

A good over from Woakes. Bowled in that corridor of uncertainty and also manage to draw an outside edge off Kohli but it went through the slip cordon along the ground. 4 runs off the over.

CENTURY FOR KOHLI! 23rd Test ton. He gets an outside edge through slip cordon and it runs away for a four. He celebrates in his typical fashion with a flying kiss off the bat as he gets a standing ovation from the crowd and his wife Anushka Sharma too.

Woakes continues….

After 91 overs,India 275/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 98 , Ajinkya Rahane 17)

Brilliant over from Anderson, He drew an outside edge which flew right through Jennings in slip cordon and the very next ball again induced an outside edge which fell short of the first slip fielder. The crowd was right behind Anderson who has been really unlucky through the day.

FOUR! Technically a drop. Anderson can’t believe it. Kohli looks to drive but gets an outside edge which flies right through Jennings in slip cordon. Anderson is in despair.

Anderson will bowl from the other end…

After 90 overs**,India** 270/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 93 , Ajinkya Rahane 17)

A decent over from Woakes. There was one that jagged back in and cramped Rahane for room. He missed it but it hit him high on the thigh pad. A stifled appeal was turned down. A maiden. There is no movement in the air and the movement off the pitch too hasn’t been exorbitant.

A fan is there with a signboard reading “Come specially from India to see Kohli’s 23rd century.” He might witness it soon and the trip will be as we say ‘Vasool’

Most times 400-plus runs scored in a Test series among Indian captains:

5 – Sunil Gavaskar 
4 – VIRAT KOHLI*
1 – Sachin Tendulkar 
1 – Rahul Dravid 
1 – Mohammad Azharuddin

Back for the post-tea session. Woakes will start off. Rahane on strike.

Most runs by an Indian captain in a Test series:

In Australia- Virat Kohli (449 runs, 2014/15)
In South Africa – Virat Kohli (286 runs, 2018)
In England – Virat Kohli (430* runs, 2018)

Another sort of attritional session. India scored 76 runs as compared to 70 in the first. Kohli has looked solid and measured. Pujara played well for his 72. Rahane too has been solid at the crease along with Kohli who is approaching his ton. One feels Kohli might up the ante after he gets to his century.

Virat Kohli has now gone past Mohammad Azharuddin’s tally of 426 runs (in 1990) to become the highest run-getter among Asian captains in a Test series in England.

After 89 overs,India 270/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 93 , Ajinkya Rahane 17)

A very well bowled over from Rashid. He tossed them up really well and bowled the right lengths. Kohli was cautious in his defense.

Rashid continues. Can Kohli get to his 100? He is 7 runs away with just 5 minutes to go for tea.

After 88 overs,India 270/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 93 , Ajinkya Rahane 17)

A maiden over from Broad. He is hitting the 130s but still not making the batsman play more. Four left alones in that over.

Anderson didn’t like this ball too much, but it is definitely doing something… bit of movement and up-down bounce. Tough passage of play for India before tea, especially with Virat Kohli in his 90s.

Appreciation for Jinx

@ajinkyarahane88 has done a Jason Bourne @TrentBridge- rediscovered his original identity and asserted his supremacy by batting solidly, calmly and stylishly. That's the Jinx we know.. #EngvInd #INDvENG

— Woorkeri Raman aka WV (@wvraman) August 20, 2018

Stuart Broad continues….

After 87 overs,India 270/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 93 , Ajinkya Rahane 17)

Kohli is rock solid. He has moved into the 90s. He taps one to third man for a couple and then unleashes a lovely flick through mid-wicket. 6 runs off the over. Anderson is giving it his all but the conditions are perfect for batting.

FOUR! Kohli into the 90s, on middle and leg, Kohli flicks it through mid-wicket. Nicely done.

Anderson continues….

After 86 overs**,India** 264/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 87 , Ajinkya Rahane 17)

One bad delivery in the over and it was flicked away for four by Rahane. The rest were decent and the last one was a beauty which beat Rahane’s outside edge. Broad and Anderson are bowling well but they need to make the batsmen play more.

FOUR! On the pads from Broad, Rahane flicks it nonchalantly through square leg.

Broad continues….

After 85 overs,India 260/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 87 , Ajinkya Rahane 13)

A very good over from Anderson. There is some disconcerting bounce outside the off. Anderson constantly bowled in that corridor of uncertainty. One came back in and took Kohli’s inside edge on the pads. Kohli then steered one to third man for a couple. It was well played as it reared off the track and came back in. Two runs off the over.

After 84 overs**,India** 258/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 85 , Ajinkya Rahane 13)

Kohli and Rahane happy to play the waiting game. Broad bowled accurate lines in that over and there was one that reared from good length area. Rahane took one hand off the bat and seemed in some discomfort. Just a single off the over.

After 83 overs,India 257/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 84 , Ajinkya Rahane 13)

Another good over from Anderson. He beat Kohli’s outside edge in that over. But he needs to bowl more on stumps and make Kohli play. Just one run off the over.

Anderson continues…..

After 82 overs,India 256/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 83 , Ajinkya Rahane 13)

Good tight over from Broad. He got some extra bounce but not much movement off the pitch. A maiden.

Kohli isn’t happy with the second new ball and is continuously into the umpire’s ears.

After 81 overs,India 255/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 82 , Ajinkya Rahane 13)

Anderson got a hint of outswing but nothing major to trouble Kohli. After five dot deliveries, Kohli patted one to backward point for a single.

After 81 overs,India 255/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 82 , Ajinkya Rahane 13)

Anderson got a hint of outswing but nothing major to trouble Kohli. After five dot deliveries, Kohli patted one to backward point for a single.

The second new ball is available and England have taken it straightaway. Anderson into the attack.

England have taken the second new ball… but they don’t seem to like it. Long chat with the umpire before Anderson gets back to bowling with it. The Dukes ball does something once the lacquer comes off in 10-15 overs. You would think that is England’s best chance to pull India back a bit.

After 80 overs**,India** 254/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 81 , Ajinkya Rahane 13)

One poor delivery in the over. It’s a full toss and Rahane flicks it through mid-wicket. The rest of deliveries were darted in a bit quicker and full. All defended.

FOUR! Full toss from Root. Rahane flicks it through mid-wicket and it races away.

Joe Root into the attack now.

After 79 overs**,India** 250/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 81 , Ajinkya Rahane 9)

A decent over from Rashid. Just one run off it. He enticed Kohli into a drive dragging it wide. It spun away and Kohli missed his swat. Stokes caught it at first slip and the crowd appealed. No bat involved. Rashid should come from over the wicket, the round of wicket wasn’t a good idea.

Adil Rashid is back to over the wicket.

After 78 overs**,India** 249/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 81 , Ajinkya Rahane 8)

It’s all too easy for the batsmen. Kohli is playing a very measured innings. He’s started to dispatch the bad balls for four, just like he did with the overpitched one from Stokes. Two more singles make it 6 off the over.

FOUR! Overpitched from Stokes, Kohli drives it through extra cover. Easy.

After 77 overs,India 243/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 76 , Ajinkya Rahane 7)

Rashid coming from round the wicket is to block the runs, instead he ends up conceding 7 off it. That mandatory short delivery was dispatched for four by Kohli and then Rahane swept one for a couple to end the over.

FOUR! Poor delivery. Short from round the wicket. Kohli hammers it through mid-wicket.

Highest targets successfully chased in Tests in 4th innings:

418 – WI v Aus, St John’s, 2003

414 – SA v Aus, Perth, 2008

404 – Aus v Eng, Leeds, 1948

He comes round the wicket to Kohli…

Rashid continues…..

After 76 overs,India 236/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 71 , Ajinkya Rahane 5)

Kohli struggling to hit right lines consistently. He is looking to bowl back of length too but it doesn’t threaten Kohli. Stokes dragged one down and Kohli looked to clip but it brushed the thigh pad and flew away to the fine leg fence. Kohli ended the over with a single to point. 6 runs off the over.

After 75 overs,India 230/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 70 , Ajinkya Rahane 4)

Words exchanged in the middle. But a bit of banter. Kohli leaned forward for an expansive drive but didn’t connect it well and hit it straight to cover. Stokes at first slip did have to say something, maybe reminding him of the first innings dismissal. Kohli too had a word or two. Rashid was again a bit short in that over and conceded a couple and two singles. 4 runs off the over.

After 74 overs**,India** 226/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 69 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

Kohli is still cautious. Stokes again concentrated on hitting back of a length to both the batsmen. Kohli clipped one to deep square leg for a single. Just one off the over.

Light drizzle in the air now… we might have an interruption here…

Stokes continues.

After 73 overs,India 225/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 68 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

Good tight over from Rashid. He bowled stump to stump and flighted the ball well. Rahane was cautious in his defence. A maiden.

Not the best time to lose a wicket from India’s point of view though. the ball may be old but it is still moving around. Dark cloud over the ground now and lights are on. One or two quick wickets and England could be lifted here.

After 72 overs,India 225/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 68 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

A successful over for England. They finally got a wicket and Stokes was a relieved man. He bowled a couple of deliveries on the pads which were clipped for singles on both occasions. 2 runs off the over.

Two hours 40 minutes Pujara batted this third day… finally his vigil ends. 208 balls he faced in all, and stood at the end as if he had seen a ghost. But this should be a great confidence building knock for Pujara and India – and lest I say, potentially career saving.

OUT! Stokes strikes finally! Pujara is gone.

A heaves a sigh of relief. Good length delivery outside off, angling in. It straightens after landing. Pujara looks to defend but there is some extra bounce and the ball takes the shoulder of the bat to first slip where Cook makes no mistake.

Pujara c Cook b Stokes 72(208)

Ben Stokes into the attack now

After 71 overs,India 223/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 72 , Virat Kohli (C) 67)

If Rashid hadn’t bowled that half-tracker, it would have been a decent over. He bowled a googly and some nicely flighted leggies but in between there was a short one which was dispatched to the fence by Pujara. 5 runs off the over.

FOUR! There you go, a poor ball from Rashid. It’s expected every over. Pujara pulls a half-tracker through mid-wicket.

After 70 overs,India 218/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 68 , Virat Kohli (C) 66)

Kohli punched one down the ground for three while Pujara too a single. The ball didn’t do much off the surface. Woakes has bowled well so far in this session but the conditions look ideal for batting. Going to be a long day for England.

Virat Kohli becomes the second Asian captain to score 400-plus runs in a Test series in England after Mohammad Azharuddin (426 runs in 1990).

After 69 overs,India 214/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 67 , Virat Kohli (C) 63)

Quite easy for both the batsmen in that over. Pujara used his feet to clip away singles, while Kohli waited on the back foot and whip it to the leg side for ones. 4 singles off the over. The 100-run stand has also come up.

Update: Bairstow has a fracture on his left middle finger. He will bat if necessary. 

By the looks of it, it might be necessary if England are to make a match of this, especially if it comes down to a grinding draw

Rashid continues….

After 68 overs,India 210/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 65 , Virat Kohli (C) 61)

Woakes is bowling with good rhythm and is getting the ball to do something off the pitch. He brings one back off the good length from outside off, Pujara misses his front foot prod and is hit on the pads. An LBW appeal is turned down by the umpire. Replays showed it was missing the stumps. He then bowled a very sharp bouncer and Pujara had to sway away. The last one moved away sharply and quite rightly Pujara didn’t fiddle with it.

After 67 overs,India 210/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 65 , Virat Kohli (C) 61)

No hit-me balls in that over. Rashid was accurate and concentrated on giving the ball some flight. There was one googly too in that over. Just one run off it. India still taking a very cautious approach.

After 66 overs,India 209/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 64 , Virat Kohli (C) 61)

Another good over from Woakes. He pitched the first one full and got driven for a couple through covers. Woakes then beat Kohli’s outside edge with a beauty. He bowled accurately in that corridor of certainty to end the over. There was a hint of extra bounce off the last ball of the over.

After 65 overs,India 207/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 64 , Virat Kohli (C) 59)

A decent over from Rashid. He varied his pace well. There was one googly too which Pujara failed to read properly. But there was one hit-me ball too, Pujara cut it straight to the deep point fielder for just a single. 2 runs off the over.

After 64 overs,India 205/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 63 , Virat Kohli (C) 58)

A disciplined over from Woakes. Pujara tucked one to mid-wicket for a single while Kohli patted one to point. two runs off the over. Woakes concentrated on bowling in the corridor of uncertainty.

There is a light drizzle. The umbrellas are out in the stands.

SIX-HOLY-HUNDERD

Lunch was all about calculating how many runs India will want. They already have what they need, but now it’s about grinding England down. 

General consensus, among both Indian and English media, is that 600 will be good to break England’s resolve. Bat till lunch tomorrow and still have five sessions to bowl at them.

After 63 overs,India 203/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 62 , Virat Kohli (C) 57)

Rashid served up a hit-me ball in that over, Pujara obliged. Rashid looked to give flight but then erred in length off the penultimate ball and was punished. 5 runs off the over. The England bowlers need to do something different.

FOUR! Short from Rashid, Pujara pulls it away through mid-wicket.

Rashid continues….

After 62 overs,India 198/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 58 , Virat Kohli (C) 56)

Pujara works it off the middle stump to mid wicket for one. Kohli gets forward and gently taps to the right of mid on for a single. We see Bairstow siiting in the dressing room, but he is in his tracksuit, doesn’t look like he is going to be on the field any soon. His injured finger is well immersed in a glass of water with ice in it.

Chris Woakes to bowl from the other end

After 61 overs,India 196/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 57 , Virat Kohli (C) 55)

Kohli leans in his drive to pick a single to deep cover. Pujara defends a googly and calls out ‘No. No. No’ immediately. Flicks another googly off the backfoot for a single through midwicket. Kohli jams out a full delivery from Rashid.

Umpires and England players along with Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara all casually amble out to the middle to get the second session of play underway. No news of Jonny Bairstow as yet. Adil Rashid will bowl the first over of the afternoon session. Kohli to face. One slip and short leg in position.

Lunch, Day 3

All smiles for India as they head into Lunch on Day 3. Pujara and Kohli might not have scored runs at a quick rate, but that was not needed either. They add 70 runs to their overnight score and that subsequently adds to lead, which England will be chasing in the fourth innings. The lead is a mammoth 362. Pujara was dropped off Anderson on 40 and Kohli survived a close leg before shout to what otherwise has been a very secured session of play for India. Their approach in the afternoon session will be very interesting. Do join us for the same in 40 minutes from now. Play resumes at ten minutes past six IST.

After 60 overs,India 194/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 56 , Virat Kohli (C) 54)

Root will bowl the last over off the first session, starts off with wayward delivery down the leg side. Pujara is not willing to chase that. Couple of singles follow, including a misfield at mid wicket, allowing Kohli to get to the other end. Another ball down the legside is left alone by Pujara. Two dots to finish. No wickets lost for India in the session

After 59 overs,India 192/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 55 , Virat Kohli (C) 53)

Jittery moment for Pujara at the start off the over. Was the one that slides on. Brought th bat touch late and the backspin on the ball almost went back onto his wickets. Kohli reads the googly and flicks it to backward square leg for a couple

After 58 overs,India 189/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 54 , Virat Kohli (C) 51)

Virat Kohli has the cap on as Root comes on to bowl. He starts off round the wicket. A slip, leg slip and short leg in place. Root sends down a fulltoss that Pujara flicks it on the onside for a single Virat nudges the ball around  for one too.

Can Joe Root spin some magic. He brings himself to the bowling crease.

After 57 overs,India 186/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 52 , Virat Kohli (C) 50)

Kohli and Pujara playing down time and neither is any attacking tactic deployed by Joe Root, looking at the lead, he doesn’t have too many opitions either. Pujara takes the only run off the over as he cuts to sweeper cover for a single.

After 56 overs,India 185/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 51 , Virat Kohli (C) 50)

Into the last 10 minutes of play before lunch on Day 3. Will it be another wicketless session for the home side? Broad delivers a maiden.

Most times scoring fifty-plus runs in each innings of a Test match among Indian captains:

5 – VIRAT KOHLI*
4 – MS Dhoni
3 – MAK Pataudi

After 55 overs,India 185/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 51 , Virat Kohli (C) 50)

Couple of singles followed by four dots in Rashid’s over. Pujara skips down the track, looking to drive it through covers, fielder did well to keep down to one. Kohli got to his half-century with a single off the second ball of the over.

FIFTY! Pushed to deep extra cover for a single and it is Virat Kohli’s chance to raise his bat. That is Kohli’s 19th Test fifty and the fourth 50+ score in six innings in England. Just cannot stop scoring runs, can he?

After 54 overs,India 183/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 50 , Virat Kohli (C) 49)

Kohli earns a couple with a flick to backward square, working it with the inswing. He rotates the stike with a single through backward point for a single. Pujara raises his half-century with a single to deep mid wicket. Lead now over 350.

FIFTY! He had it due, didn’t he?! Cheteshwar Pujara brings up his 18th Test half-century. Raises his bat towards the dressing room. Fine player. Took his time to get there (147), but should do wonders to his confidence.

After 53 overs,India 179/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 49 , Virat Kohli (C) 46)

Thick outside edge for Kohli, it was similar to the shot he got out to in the first innings. Adil Rashid puts his hands on his head. He runs three. Four runs come off the over.

This is the first time after The Oval Test, 2007 (1st innings) that each of the first four Indian batsmen have scored 30-plus runs in an innings outside Asia in Tests.

50-plus stands for each of 1st three wickets in an innings for India in SENA countries:

v Australia, Sydney, 1968 (2nd innings
v Australia, Sydney, 1986 1st innings)
v England, Nottingham 2018 (2nd innings)*

After 52 overs,India 175/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 48 , Virat Kohli (C) 43)

After three dots to start with, Broad gives away ten runs off the second half off the over. A couple past cover point with boundary on either side for Kohli.

FOUR! Kohli looking to drive once again. This time he was trying to hit it slightly straight. Got an inside edge that went past his stumps and into the fine leg boundary.

FOUR! Textbook cover drive from Virat Kohli. Length outside off from Broad and Kohli gets the front foot to the pitch of the ball. Stead head, back leg bent and nice follow through. The ball speds away to the cover fence.

After 51 overs,India 165/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 48 , Virat Kohli (C) 33)

Rashid starts off with a goggly that Kohli is able to see out with ease. He turns it behind square for a single. Pujara earns a boundary with square cut.

FOUR! Loose delivery from Rashid. Short and wide, plenty of time and room for Puajra to cut it away to point boundary.

India losing a Test against England with five-plus fifty-plus stands:

at The Oval in 1936
at Chennai in 1985
at Lord’s in 1990
at Lord’s in 2011

Spin. Adil Rashid into the attack

After 50 overs,India 160/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 44 , Virat Kohli (C) 32)

Broad still in search of that big inward drift that he gets and troubles the batsman, he hasn’t got any. An leg before shout against Kohli off the first ball, but Kohli’s inside edge saved him. Kohli moves to 32 with a single to fine leg, while Pujara moves to 44 with a brace past mid on.

Inside edge and England have lost a DRS review. It was funny how Virat kept standing on his crease, giving them a hint, look I am not out. That could have saved the review on umpire’s call but that edge. 

Also, that boundary came after 63 balls. Shows how excellent Anderson and Stokes were this morning.

NOT OUT! The inswinger from Broad, raps Kohli on the pads and there is a huge appeal. Umpire Erasmus denies and England take the referral. UltraEdge shows there is tickle that Kohli got before the ball crashed into the pads. England lose one of their two reviews. Kohli carries on.

Jonny Bairstow is off for an x-ray on his left middle finger.

After 49 overs,India 157/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 42 , Virat Kohli (C) 31)

Kohli with a classic cover drive gets a couple of runs. The ball was racing towards the boundary but Pope at cover did well to get a hand to it. Kohli gets a boundary through backward point. A quick single to end the over. Broad gets a direct hit at the striker’s end but Puajra was well in.

FOUR! Kohli goes after the short ball that was on the rise from Stokes with a horizontal bat. He hops to get on top of it but the ball comes off a thick edge that is in the air for a while, but no backward point in place means he is safe.

After 48 overs,India 150/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 42 , Virat Kohli (C) 24)

Runs have been hard to comeby in this session. Particularly Pujara has taken a lot of balls for eight runs he has added to his overnight score, but Kohli and India wouldn’t mind it as they are not in a hurry with more than two and half days of cricket left, they would feel they have lot of time, even if rain intervenes the Test. Although the weather forecast hasn’t predicted any. Broad delivers a maiden.

After 47 overs,India 150/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 42 , Virat Kohli (C) 24)

Kohli gets forward and pushes it wide off mid on with straight bat. Kohli was eager for a second run, Pujara was not and he made it clear with a loud ‘NO’. Kohli agrees. There is another occasion where Pujara works it to backward square leg and it was Pujara who was searching for a second, Kohli denies it. Hahaha. Didn’t know running singles can be so entertaining. The run brought the 150 up for India.

After 46 overs,India 148/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 41 , Virat Kohli (C) 23)

Kohli with a big stride out taps it into the gap of backward point for a single off the first ball. No signs of the ball moving in for Broad so far. Will be very interesting to see if his big prodigious inswinger comes into play. Pujara will be well alert of it. Only one off the over.

Stuart Broad in now into the attack. Anderson given a much-needed breather.

After 45 overs,India 147/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 41 , Virat Kohli (C) 22)

Joe Root fields himself at second slip. Stokes getting some inward movement going for himself. Pujara is able to block with a straight bat. Again, Pujara hangs his bat out to a ball slightly wide of off stump, fortunately for India, he doesn’t edges it.

So, this is worrisome for England. Jonny Bairstow has hurt his left hand and has gone off. Buttler to keep wickets. I think the greater worry right now is if Bairstow will bat, because England know they will need him.

After 44 overs,India 147/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 41 , Virat Kohli (C) 22)
 

After 13 dots on the bounce, Kohli’s thick inside edge to fine leg, earns India a run. Anderson tries to surprise Pujara with a bouncer, which the batsman easily ducks under. The final delivery swung after it past the stumps making it very difficult for Bairstow to gather. India collect a bye. Bairstow is in some pain and he is leaving the field. Guess is Buttler will don the gloves and this could be a blessing as some other player will stand at second slip. Hopefully, the injury is not serious, he has been England’s best batsman this series.

After 43 overs,India 145/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 41 , Virat Kohli (C) 21)

Stokes beats Pujara a couple of times in the over, until he finds an outside off the last ball of the over. The ball falls just short of the third slip. Pardon the pun, but Pujara riding on the edge here. Some loose shots, fishing his bat outside the off stump is so unlike him. The ball that did find the edge was short of a length delivery that was banged in outside off. Pujara pushed at it with hard hands. Maiden for Stokes.

Highest targets successfully chased in the fourth innings –

by England : 332 v Australia at Melbourne in 1928
at Nottingham : 284 by England v New Zealand in 2004
against India : 339 by Australia at Perth in 1977

India’s lead is now 313 runs.

After 42 overs,India 145/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 41 , Virat Kohli (C) 21)

Huge shout for leg before wicket against Kohli off the first ball as the ball that was slanted into the right hander raps him around the knee roll, however, there was an inside edge that saved him. Kohli is beaten by Anderson again as he lures him forward. Guess what? It is another maiden from James.

After 41 overs,India 145/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 41 , Virat Kohli (C) 21)

Kohli taks a single off the first ball. Pujara with a wild uncharacteristic shot, trying to drive a wide ball with little footwork. Cannot understand why he was chasing it. Couple of more singles in the over.

Ben Stokes into the attack

After 40 overs,India 142/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 40 , Virat Kohli (C) 19)

Maiden from James Anderson, but he would have so desperately wanted a wicket to his name. Another catch put down in the slips, Buttler, who has taken Dawid Malan’s position in the cordon gives Pujara a life at 40. Somebody from England needs to hug Anderson.

And there goes Anderson’s reward, etched out the nick only for Buttler to drop it at second slip. England’s slip catching has been horrendous in this series. Anderson was superb through this spell and deserved that wicket.

DROPPED! You got to feel for Jimmy Anderson. He has given his everything this morning in pursuit of a wicket. Was a little back of a length delivery right over the offstump. Pujara was on his toes, hanging his bat out, that took the edge and Jos Buttler at second slip puts his left hand out to grab at a low catch. Puts it down.