Highlights, India vs England, 5th Test at The Oval, Day 3, Full cricket score: England 114/2 at Stumps, lead by 154 runs

India vs England Day 3 review LIVE from The Oval

Stumps, Day 3: A brilliant session for England. Probably has set up the match for them. But it seemd the same when India were down and looked almost out yesterday. India definitely need to bounce back in the first session tomrrow if they are to make it 3-2.

Good batting display in the final session though. Cook looked well… like Cook. A typical Cook innings is what he has played. Root was aggressive and looks to have regained his lost form. 

As things stand, England are in the ascendancy and by a good enough margin.

After 43 overs,England 114/2 ( Alastair Cook 46 , Joe Root (C) 29)

Final over of the day… Bumrah to steam in. And England play it out safely. In fact, end it with a cheeky single on the final ball. 

England lead by 154 runs.

After 42 overs,England 112/2 ( Alastair Cook 45 , Joe Root (C) 28)

Five innocuous deliveries followed by a peach. Bowls it quicker through the air and it zips away off the deck. Root tries to cut it on his back foot but misses it because of the extra bounce. Pant also doesn’t collect it cleanly…

After 41 overs,England 112/2 ( Alastair Cook 45 , Joe Root (C) 28)

Don’t think India are going to break this partnership anytime soon. They are batting with total control. A single in the over but Pant conceded four byes on the last ball. These extras will surely hurt India in the chase.

After 40 overs,England 106/2 ( Alastair Cook 44 , Joe Root (C) 27)

Jadeja returns. Root and Cook are batting at a completely different pace. Root is batting on 27 off 31 balls while Cook is on 44 off 119.

After 39 overs,England 105/2 ( Alastair Cook 43 , Joe Root (C) 27)

There we go. India are not happy with the ball. Think they have changed it once again. No wicket after ball change this time around. A boundary does come though.

FOUR! Full and swingign in. Joe Root walks across and flicks it in front of square on the leg side.

There are only 15 players in the world who have scored 50-plus runs in each innings of his last Test. Stephen Fleming was the last one to do so. Will Cook join an elite Test?

After 38 overs,England 101/2 ( Alastair Cook 43 , Joe Root (C) 23)

Two consecutive boundaries for Joe Root. He chased a wide delivery – he does that often – but follows it up with a beautiful straight drive. Nine come in the over.

FOUR! Lovely shot. Beautifully played. Shami bowls it full and Root just drives it down the ground.

FOUR! Edged… but falls safe. Root chases a wide delivery and edges it to the third man fence. A gully could’ve taken it.

After 37 overs,England 92/2 ( Alastair Cook 43 , Joe Root (C) 14)

Match slipping away from India’s control? India already lead by 132 and have eight wickets in hand. This day has been arguably better for batting but India need a wicket or two before stumps.

After 36 overs,England 88/2 ( Alastair Cook 40 , Joe Root (C) 13)

Shami comes back. Can he give India anothe breakthrough here? No, he can’t. Not in his first over at least. Three singles come in the over.

After 35 overs,England 85/2 ( Alastair Cook 38 , Joe Root (C) 12)

The floodlights are on and the ball is doing a bit more. It’s surely swinging more. Bumrah slants a delivery away from Cook but doesn’t find the edge. Takes a single to deep square leg to retain the strike.

After 34 overs,England 84/2 ( Alastair Cook 37 , Joe Root (C) 12)

Jadeja to Cook. Cook’s taking a big stride out in an effort to take the rough out of the equation. Does that well. Takes a single on the fifth ball and Root bunts the final ball back to Jadeja.

After 33 overs,England 83/2 ( Alastair Cook 36 , Joe Root (C) 12)

In the air…. but falls safe. The awkward angle from Bumrah and Cook closes the bat face early. It takes the leading edge and falls safely near the gully region. Three singles and a brace come in this over. 

England are ahead by 123 runs now.

After 32 overs,England 78/2 ( Alastair Cook 32 , Joe Root (C) 11)

Jadeja is creating problems for the left-handers. The rough is exactly where he would like it to be. One of the ball lobs over the short leg as Cook tries to defend. Kohli goes after it from leg slip, dives, even catches it. But the ball pops out after he falls on the field. Turns out Cook hadn’t edged it. Three singles in the over.

Scoring 100-plus runs in both first and last Test against the same opponent:

Reggie Duff  v England
Bill Ponsford v England
Bruce Mitchell v England
Alastair Cook  v India*

After 31 overs,England 75/2 ( Alastair Cook 30 , Joe Root (C) 10)

Bumrah comes back and his first ball is on the pads. Cook clips it through midwicket and collects three. Bumrah tries the inswinger against Root but the English captain is aware of the plan. Plays him carefully.

A look back at the 13-year-old who made it big. 

After 30 overs,England 72/2 ( Alastair Cook 27 , Joe Root (C) 10)

Jadeja’s trying to find the correct length against Joe Root. Concedes two boundaries in the process. To be honest, Kohli should look to have a pacer bowl at Root early on in the innings.

Joe Root has so far only scored 196 runs in this series which is the least for him in a home Test series in which he played atleast five innings. His scores in this series are: 80, 14, 19, 16, 13, 4, 48, 0

FOUR! Two boundaries in the over. Once again, slightly on the shorter side, Root goes on his back foot and cuts it through point.

FOUR! Short and outside off. Joe won’t leave those. Goes back and punches it through cover.

After 29 overs,England 64/2 ( Alastair Cook 27 , Joe Root (C) 2)

Ishant from around the wicket to Cook. No trouble whatsoever for the southpaw. Sees out the over comfortably.

After 28 overs,England 64/2 ( Alastair Cook 27 , Joe Root (C) 2)

Once again, India express disappointment with the ball. They want it changed as so often teams do when nothing’s happening and they replace it. And Jadeja strikes immediately. Five come in the over. England’s lead has crossed 100 and Joe Root has avoided a pair.

Ball changed and Jadeja bowls a ripper off the rough… bowled through the gate is Moeen Ali and KL Rahul is a happy man.

OUT! Change of ball has done the trick for Ravindra Jadeja. Loops it and manages to pitch it on the rough. The ball turns in  viciously and goes through Moeen’s defence. Timber. 

 Moeen Ali b Jadeja 20(52)

After 27 overs,England 59/1 ( Alastair Cook 24 , Moeen Ali 20)

The track’s not doing much. Moeen and Cook have settled in beautifully. They would like to increase their run rate though. Two singles in this over.

Straight forward chance dropped in the slips. Guess who? KL Rahul of all people. Ishant cannot believe it. Ali gets a life, like in the first innings.

After 26 overs,England 57/1 ( Alastair Cook 23 , Moeen Ali 19)

A bit of a frustrating phase for India. Opportunties have not being created and the Rahul put down the only chance of the session. Jadeja, though, has a rough to exploit. Can he do that though? Two singles in the over.

After 25 overs,England 55/1 ( Alastair Cook 22 , Moeen Ali 18)

Dropped! Ishant Sharma does what is expected of him. Induces an edge off Moeen Ali with an overpitched delivery but KL Rahul shells it at second slip. To make matters worse, the ball runs away for a boundary.

After 24 overs,England 51/1 ( Alastair Cook 22 , Moeen Ali 14)

India are upset with the shape of the ball and they have asked for a replacement ball. Incidentally, Kohli wasn’t happy with the replaced ball and asked the orginal ball again. But Dharmasena said no. Jadeja continues with the changed ball after drinks. Concedes two singles.

After 23 overs,England 49/1 ( Alastair Cook 21 , Moeen Ali 13)

Ishant comes back into the attack. His aim will be obviously getting Alastair Cook, his nemesis, out. But Moeen Ali plays this over out.

Shot… on the front foot, slightly across to cover Shami’s wide angle and down the ground for four. Cook in his element one last time for England. Lead by 88 now. Dangerous times for India.

After 22 overs,England 49/1 ( Alastair Cook 21 , Moeen Ali 13)

Jadeja comes and finishes his over in no time. The average time he takes to finish it is two minutes. 120 seconds. Concedes a single in this over.

After 21 overs,England 48/1 ( Alastair Cook 21 , Moeen Ali 12)

Shami continues and he almost got Moeen Ali in the last over. Made him reach for the delivery and play that shot, ball takes the edge and flies to third man boundary. Can add this again that he has been really unlucky in this Test. The last-ball boundary will surely hurt him.

FOUR! Lovely on-drive from Cook as he leans into it.

FOUR! Shami draws Moeen Ali to play through covers, ball flies between the slip and gully for a boundary.

Shami continues

After 20 overs,England 38/1 ( Alastair Cook 16 , Moeen Ali 8)

Jadeja back on. The second ball hits the rough, beats Cook, hits Pant’s legs and flies in the air. There is slip, leg slip, short mid-wicket, short leg and Moeen Ali comes out and flicks it to deep mid-wicket. Does not go for a boundary but shows the intent of the batsman.

Jadeja back into the attack.

After 19 overs,England 34/1 ( Alastair Cook 15 , Moeen Ali 5)

This is Shami’s 7th over on the trot. And in every over, he has looked inches away from a wicket. Ishant checks the ball with umpire Wilson, showing the seam to him. We have seen two balls being changed already in last two days after going out of shape.

Shami continues.

After 18 overs,England 32/1 ( Alastair Cook 13 , Moeen Ali 5)

Bumrah continues. England have lead of 72 runs now. If India don’t pick wickets now, things are going to get worse for the visitors.

Bumrah continues.

After 17 overs,England 32/1 ( Alastair Cook 13 , Moeen Ali 5)

Shami continues. Beats the edge almost on all occasions. Lovely spell of bowling from this guy. sadly, the wicket column does not do justice to the quality of bowling.

Shami continues

After 16 overs,England 32/1 ( Alastair Cook 13 , Moeen Ali 5)

Bumrah back on. Bowls three deliveries from over the wicket and then shifts to round the wicket. Getting a good shape. Moeen is happy to stand and defend everything which comes in to him, it is the outswingers which are beating his bat.

Bumrah is back on

After 15 overs,England 32/1 ( Alastair Cook 13 , Moeen Ali 5)

Shami continues to grind hard. Continues to pitch it on the off stump line, trying to make Cook do that one mistake.

After 14 overs,England 32/1 ( Alastair Cook 13 , Moeen Ali 5)

Jadeja resumes and has been hit for a boundary on the second ball. Comes back well. Moeen is looking in attacking mode with lead into 70s. Also, a chance for India to pick a wicket.

Lowest batting average for England openers in a home Test series of five Tests:

12.77 – Adam Lyth v Australia, 2015

18.11 – Keaton Jennings v India, 2018*

20.33 – Graham Gooch v Australia, 1989

FOUR! Moeen Ali sweeps this full delivery from Jadeja for a boundary.

Jadeja continues.

After 13 overs,England 28/1 ( Alastair Cook 13 , Moeen Ali 1)

Shami has clean bowled Jennings to end his misery of a series.He did not know where his off stump was and did not cover it before leaving the ball. An embarrassing way to get out really for an opener. Shami, on the other hand, was elated. He has been grinding it hard in the middle.

Moeen Ali, left handed bat, comes to the crease

India waste a second review pretty much like the first… not sure who is convincing the skipper to take such shocking reviews and in authority why he cannot put his foot down and say no… ridiculous. 

And just as I type this. Shami takes matters into his hands and bowls Jennings.

OUT! After years of struggle, beating the batsmen, the bat, the edge of it, Shami slants one in to Jennings, who misjudged it and offered a leave, the ball took the top of his off stump. He walks back to dressing room. Shami has a wicket. Jennings b Shami 10(38)

Shami continues.

After 12 overs,England 27/0 ( Alastair Cook 13 , Keaton Jennings 10)

Jadeja continues. He is bowling on the rough now. The ball pitches on the rough, comes in to Cook and thuds his thighs, appeal made and denied. Kohli goes for DRS in more in hurry than in excitement. The impact is outside the off stump. That’s the second review lost. Bad, bad, captaincy.

Jadeja continues

After 11 overs,England 27/0 ( Alastair Cook 13 , Keaton Jennings 10)

Shami continues to pitch it around the off stump channel. Jennings is standing a little bit outside the crease to negate the swing.

India begin post tea with a silly review. Jennings standing outside off and somehow Kohli was convinced enough to review it. Not sure how.

Shami to bowl from the other end.

After 10 overs,England 23/0 ( Alastair Cook 13 , Keaton Jennings 10)

Huge appeal on the second ball of the over Jadeja’s delivery thuds Jennings front pad as he tries to sweep. Umpire turned it down but Kohli half-heartedly went upstairs only to get disappointed. India lose one review. This is not a very good start after the Tea.

Alright players are back in field. Jadeja to bowl to Jennings.

After 9 overs,England 20/0 ( Alastair Cook 13 , Keaton Jennings 7)

TEA!

Too good from Shami in the last over before Tea. Runs in from round the wicket and keeps on beating Cook. Thankfully for cook, the ball keeps missing the edge as well. The last ball he defended well. England ahead of India by 60 runs. We will returns in some time after Tea. Quickly go and grab your cup too!

Shami to bowl, probably the last over before Tea.

After 8 overs,England 18/0 ( Alastair Cook 12 , Keaton Jennings 6)

Jadeja into the attack. Bowls round the wicket to Jennings with one forward short leg, slip and leg slip. He evades it well, takes single by tap to on leg side. Same is the plan for Cook. And Cook to squeezes a single on the leg side.

Ravindra Jadeja, left-arm orthodox, brought into the attack

After 7 overs,England 16/0 ( Alastair Cook 11 , Keaton Jennings 5)

Okay so Shami has been given the ball. Exciting over as lovely cover drive from Cook but just for a couple on the first ball and then a boundary on the next ball. Shami comes back stronger and beats Cook. Slip cordon appeals but umpire turns it down. Two dots to finish the over.

FOUR! Typical of Alastait Cook as he hits one through the mid-wicket for a boundary off his pads.

Mohammed Shami, right-arm fast medium, brought into the attack

After 6 overs,England 10/0 ( Alastair Cook 5 , Keaton Jennings 5)

Jennings gets three through the mid-wicket on the first ball. Cook keeps on defending and then takes a single off the last ball. England now lead by 50 runs.

Ishant continues

After 5 overs,England 6/0 ( Alastair Cook 4 , Keaton Jennings 2)

Bumrah continues. Changes angle for Jennings. Comes from round the wicket. He takes a single and gives strike to Cook, who finally opened his account with a boundary on the second last ball of the over.

FOUR! Short ball, coming round the wicket, on the thighs, Cook flicks it to backward square leg for a boundary.

Bumrah continues

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

Ishant continues. He consistently bowls in the offstump channel for the first three balls and then tries the inswinger coming from round the wicket but does not find the right line. Goes full on the final ball Cook flashes the blade, Gully stops it. It looked as if the ball was in air for a good time.

Another standing ovation for Cook and this is indeed the last time he has come out to bat for England. You have to start wondering what is chaseable here? 250 and it could be England’s game. India have to keep it to 220-odd to make sure they are favourites for the chase.

Ishant Sharma continues.

After 3 overs,England 1/0 ( Alastair Cook 0 , Keaton Jennings 1)

Bumrah continues. Another maiden from him as Jennings struggles find answers to his deliveries.

Alastair Cook batted for around 615.7 hours in his career before the beginning of this Test. He needs 76 more runs to get into the list of top-5 Test run-getters.

Bumrah continues.

After 2 overs,England 1/0 ( Alastair Cook 0 , Keaton Jennings 1)

Ishant begins another spell. Comes from round the wicket to Jennings and the second ball of the over almost trapped Jennings in front of the stumps. Height probably saved the left-handed batsman. One run on the last ball gets England and Jennings off the mark.

Ishant Sharma, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

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

Cook gets a standing ovation from the crowd at The Oval. Indian captain comes up to him and shakes his hand. Great gestures around but there is a match to be won and focus instantly shift as Bumrah thuds Cook’s thigh pads with a ball slanting across.

Alastair Cook walks out to bat, for the one last time, in England whites. Jennings by his side. The whole of Oval has risen to applaud for The Chef. 

And Bumrah, who had enough with the bat in hand, finally has his sweetheart in his hand, the ball.

Ravindra Jadeja’s last 10 Test innings:

86*, 20, 4*, 5*, 9, 22, 70*, 15, 63, 54*

40-run lead only for England. Superb showing from the Indian lower-order for once, and showing what could have been with a little more application and perhaps a better batsman at number six as well. Just look at what Buttler has done throughout as well. Shows India’s failures again with Pandya, DK and Pant.

After 95 overs,India 292/10 ( Ravindra Jadeja 86 , )

That’s it. Jadeja been defending in the over and shows great character with the bat but on the last ball, tries to take an impossible single and gets Bumrah run out. India fall short of England total by 40 runs and this is a huge advantage for England. 

We will be back with England’s second innings in a while. Stay tuned.

OUT! This is pathetic. Jadeja tries to take an impossible single on the last ball, taps the ball to leg side and runs, before Bumrah could reach the non-strikers’ end, the throw reaches the stumps. India all out for 292. Bumrah run out (Broad/Bairstow) 0(14)

Moeen Ali bowls from the other end.

After 94 overs,India 292/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 86 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Root throws ball to Broad to have a go at Bumrah. But the Number 11 from India has somehow survived this over. Great resilience with the bat from somone who is not at all good with the timber in hand. Rahanes, Rahuls and Dhawans need to take a look.

Alright, seeing Bumrah on strike, Root has thrown ball to Broad.

After 93 overs,India 292/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 86 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Moeen Ali is back as well. This is so good to see from Jadeja as he quietly defends one ball after the other. The second last ball of the over was a beautiful off spinner, beat Jadeja but it does no damage.

Moeen Ali brought back too.

After 92 overs,India 292/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 86 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Alright so Rashid has been brought back into the attack. The new ball has not provided much prudent. The partnership is now of 31 runs. Bumrah defends the last ball of the over with a heavy defence. The ball did not even bounce from the ground. A happy Bumrah smiles large. This is by far his best outing with the bat for sure.

Both Bumrah and Ishant have put a price on their wickets in this series. Shami hasn’t. Don’t see why he should be demoted to no.11 going forward.

Rashid brought back into the attack.

Jadeja putting on a serious show. Some cracking strokes and helped by the new ball. Farming the strike really well too. Trailing by less than 50 now. This could be a game-changing innings, and already is a career-shaping knock as well.

After 91 overs,India 291/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 85 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

This is a scorecard which dazzles the eyes. 49 by Kohli, 56 by Vihari and now Jadeja into 80s. While the Kohli score is not surprising, the other two scores were least expected.

How well has Jadeja played here. Got in, braved the first few overs and now with the tail, playing exactly how you should be playing. Hitting boundaries and then taking singles on the last ball. This is ingenious stuff from him and we cannot believe this is the same batsman who invented new ways to get out in critical situations.

FOUR! What ingenious batting this is from Jadeja, short ball and Jadeja puts is through the mid-wicket for a boundary.

Anderson continues.

After 90 overs,India 282/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 76 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Broad continues and he is toying with Jadeja with that offstump line. He pitches one short and the Rockstar rocks back to hook it for a boundary. Takes the single off the last ball, keeps the strike.  Deficit is now 51. This is really getting interesting.

FOUR! Short stuff from Broad, Jadeja hooks it to fine leg for a boundary. Gold dust this is for India.

After 89 overs,India 275/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 71 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Alright Anderson charges in with the new ball, shaping it in to Jadeja from round the wicket. The plan backfires really as Jadeja hits a cruel straight six. He taps the ball to third man to get a single and keeps the strike for the next over. Poor bowling from Anderson, good stuff from Jadeja. Deficit is now 57.

SIX! This will HURT Anderson. Full in length and Jadeja shows his T20 skills. He picks it from the length and hits it straight over the bowler’s head for a six.

Anderson continues and this time has new ball in his hand.

After 88 overs,India 268/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 64 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Right so, Broad comes in and the second new ball has been taken. Bumrah on strike and he almost ran Jadeja out on the first ball as Jadeja ran as the ball went past Bumrah to Bairstow, thankfully before the ball reached at the non-strikers’ end, Jadeja was back. Believe it or not, but with the technique that Bumrah has, he has been able to negate Broad with the new ball. Bumrah will remember this one over as one of the best batting displays of his career.

Second new ball taken.

After 87 overs,India 268/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 64 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Jimmy is back, to finish this for England. Jadeja takes two, driving one through the vacant extra cover. A short discussion between Root, Anderson and Broad whether to take the new ball or not and they don’t take it. Jadeja takes a two again as Anderson fires one on his pads. The last ball saw some excitement as Jadeja, taking huge risk, puts it between the first slip and fourth slip to get a boundary to third man.

FOUR! Jadeja, taking huge risk, puts it between the first slip and fourth slip to get a boundary to third man.

Alright, Jimmy Anderson is back into the attack

After 86 overs,India 260/9 ( Ravindra Jadeja 56 , Jasprit Bumrah 0)

Jadeja scored his fifty and then looked for boundaries. Sadly, this is also what Shami thought but he is not as capabale a hitter of the ball as Jadeja and eventually has perished doing the same. England need just one wicket to finish the India innings.

OUT! And Shami perishes trying to up the run-scoring. He hits is straight into the hands of Stuart Broad at long-on. India now 9 down. Shami c Broad b Adil Rashid 1(5)

Ishant gone early in the session, but Jadeja gets to dust off his sword and twirl it around. Been a while, rightly, and he is ecstatic. Done no wrong and no harm to his case as lone spinner in Australia. India have a problem of plenty in pace and spin in bowling department. What a time! Now only if the batsmen can… well, bat.

Most 50s without scoring a century in Test cricket for India:

16 – Chetan Chauhan

9 – RAVINDRA JADEJA*

9 – Rusi Surti

FOUR! Short ball and Jadeja rocks on back foot, to pull it through the midwicket for a boundary.

Rashid continues

After 85 overs,India 254/8 ( Ravindra Jadeja 51 , Mohammed Shami 0)

Superb effort from Jadeja to get to his fifty. He did not get chance in this series and when the chance arrived, he grabbed it with both the hands. Four wicket haul in first innings and then this knock. Not to forget, always a livewire in the field.

FOUR and FIFTY for Jadeja.  That’s a superb effort from Jadeja. Cuts the ball through the point region for a boundary. Gritty knock. Kohli is applauding in the dressing room.

After 84 overs,India 250/8 ( Ravindra Jadeja 47 , Mohammed Shami 0)

250 up for India and Jadeja too nears his fifty. Guess, he should start hitting big ones post his personal milestone as the tail cannot be trusted to stay there for long.

After 83 overs,India 249/8 ( Ravindra Jadeja 46 , Mohammed Shami 0)

Huge appeal on the first ball for LBW. Jadeja survives as he showed the bat to the umpire. However no involement of bat the replay shows. It further shows that the ball could have gone on to hit the stumps but the umpire’s call would have saved him. 

Ishant however is back in the hut, caught by the keeper. Spinners have done their job. Would be advisable if pacers come on again and finish the tail.

OUT! That’s the end of Ishant Sharma. A loopy off-spinner, takes the edge of Ishant’s bat and goes into gloves of Bairstow. Ishant c Bairstow b Moeen Ali 4(25)

Moeen continues.

After 82 overs,India 246/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 43 , Ishant Sharma 4)

Rashid continues and there is no venom in his bowling. Ishant comfortably playing him. Too much emphasis again from Rashid on the rough as he bowls to Jadeja. No damage yet made.

Rashid continues.

After 81 overs,India 244/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 42 , Ishant Sharma 3)

Moeen continues. Ishant carries on defending the ball. The trend of the last-ball single continues too. Three from the over.

Moeen Ali continues.

After 80 overs,India 241/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 41 , Ishant Sharma 1)

Ishant Sharma faces the first ball after Lunch. Rashid with the ball. Ishant knows how to deal with such situations. He takes single again off the last ball, will again be on strike in the next over.

Back from LUNCH!

Ishant faced Rashid.

First session of each day’s play in this Test:

Day-1: 68/1 (28)

Day-2: 106/1 (25)

Day-3: 66/1 (28)

After 79 overs,India 240/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 41 , Ishant Sharma 1)

That’s LUNCH. 

Ishant Sharma has taken a single off the last ball and will be facing the first ball after lunch. In total, a good session for India. Had Vihari’s wicket not fallen, they would have been in a good place. But now only time will tell how much resilience Ishant and Co can show and support Jadeja. We will be back soon.

Wicket at the wrong time. Vihari is gone and disappointed to go. Review couldn’t show if he had edged it but no evidence to over turn the decision. Thing is third umpire took his time to make the decision unlike the last Test, when it was done quickly at first look. 

What matters now is Vihari kept India in the hunt and now it is down to the tail again to make a match of this.

Moeen Ali continues. Should be the last over before LUNCH.

After 78 overs,India 238/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 40 , Ishant Sharma 0)

Rashid continues. Ishant manages to negate him with his own set of technique. The good thing is that Jadeja is giving him strike, trusting in his abilities.

Rashid comes into attack

After 77 overs,India 237/7 ( Ravindra Jadeja 39 , Ishant Sharma 0)

A gritty innings from young Hanuma Vihari came to an end in the last over. It was Moeen Ali with the breakthrough and England will be relieved to see the back of Vihari, who was growing in confidence with the every ball he played. Ishant Sharma has come in now and Jadeja will have to start scoring quickly as he cannot trust tail to hang in there for a long time.

OUT! That’s it from Vihari in this innings, the rough around the off stump has got better of him, the ball spun in and Vihari leaned into the defence but the thin edge went straight into Bairstow’s gloves. Umpire Dharamasena called it out from the word go. Vihari went for DRS but to no avail. Hanuma Vihari c Bairstow b Moeen Ali 56(124)

Moeen Ali replaces Stokes

After 76 overs,India 234/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 56 , Ravindra Jadeja 36)

Curran has come in and this will be a different kind of challenge now for Vihari and Jadeja. Curran will create a different angle for Vihari. He has negated that angle well in this over however.

Sam Curran introduced into the attack.

After 75 overs,India 231/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 55 , Ravindra Jadeja 34)

Stokes continues. Vihari and Jadeja continue to impress. When the day began today, it was certain that by now Vihari and Jadeja will not be batting. But they have reminded us that cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties.

Stokes continues.

After 74 overs,India 230/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 55 , Ravindra Jadeja 33)

Moeen Ali continues. Targets rough but Vihari plays a pre-meditated sweep as if he has done it so many times in England in last so many Tests. Tells you about his confidence at the moment. For a change, it is India’s lower order which is changing the course of the match.

FOUR! Fullish ball, turning into Vihari but he goes for a sweep shot and the ball races away to mid-wicket for a boundary.

Moeen Ali continues.

After 73 overs,India 224/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 50 , Ravindra Jadeja 32)

Stokes continues and he has been welcomed by a slash from Jadeja through the point. Shot of intent this is. The good thing about this partnership has been the way the two have not wasted the opportunities to score runs whenever the chance is there.

FOUR! This is a slap of a shot, outside the off stump ball, he slashes it through the point for a boundary.

Stokes continues.

After 72 overs,India 220/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 50 , Ravindra Jadeja 28)

Moeen Ali comes into the attack. This time the rough will create issues for right-handed Vihari but he has grown in a lot of confidence now. The deficit is still 112 runs. India should target making it come down under 100.

Fifty-plus score in the debut innings by Indian players (Debut in England):

Rusi Modi, Lord’s, 1946

Rahul Dravid, Lord’s, 1996

Sourav Ganguly, Lord’s, 1996

HANUMA VIHARI, Kennington Oval, 2018*

Maiden half-century from Hanuma Vihari. Superb knock, great composure and brilliant mindset to score a few runs with lower order batsmen. Looks a very good find, and his bravado yesterday against the darting ball vs Anderson/Broad cannot be forgotten. Never mind the selection debate, he has done a job for the team. Book those Australia tickets?

Moeen Ali comes into the attack, replaces Adil Rashid.

After 71 overs,India 220/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 50 , Ravindra Jadeja 28)

What a moment this is for Hanuma Vihari, scores fifty on debut. He has shown great application and resilience with the bat and has reaped benefit for the same. He has also showed other Indian batsmen how to do it. Huge appeal on the last ball of the over for catch as Jadeja was beaten all ends up, umpire says no, Root opts for DRS but replay shows no edge.

Just wow. Hanuma Vihari has scored his maiden fifty in debut innings. This is a great sign of a solid Test batsman coming in to India ranks. A top-class innings from the 24-year-old.

After 70 overs,India 219/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 49 , Ravindra Jadeja 28)

Rashid continues. This has been a good batting performance from the two in the middle. Fifty run stand has been achieved between the two. It will be fitting if Vihari gets his fifty as well.

Rashid continues.

After 69 overs,India 216/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 46 , Ravindra Jadeja 28)

Stokes continues. The ball has been changed as it has lost its shape. This has happened for second time in India innings. But the highlight of the over was Vihari’s beautiful cover drive. He nearing to his maiden fifty on his maiden Test innings.

FOUR! This is beautiful from Vihari, he stands still, maintains balance and hits a beautiful cover drive. This is fine piece of batting.

Stokes continues.

After 68 overs,India 210/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 41 , Ravindra Jadeja 27)

Rashid continues and he continues to pitch on the rough outside the off stump. Feel he is giving too much emphasis to the rough area.

After 67 overs,India 207/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 39 , Ravindra Jadeja 26)

Ben Stokes comes into the attack. So no wickets for the first two bowlers of the day and one battle has already been won by the two batsmen.

Ben Stokes replaces James Anderon.

After 66 overs,India 207/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 39 , Ravindra Jadeja 26)

Rashid continues with a slip and short leg in place to Jadeja and comes round the wicket. He defends it well. Vihari is targetting the rough and firing it in at the same spot.

Hanuma Vihari’s last five FC scores:

148, 0, 54, 4, 68

He is grinding it out at Kennington Oval today in his debut match.

Rashid continues

Testing spell from England pacers first up, but Vihari and Jadeja have weathered the storm. A couple of edges too but didn’t go to the slips or fell short. Luck has been with India this morning and they are past 200. Still trail by 128 runs so it is about batting as long as possible.

After 65 overs,India 205/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 38 , Ravindra Jadeja 25)

Anderson continues. Has been given a longer spell than Broad. He has changed his angle to Jadeja, coming over the wicket now, which is in a way a psychological win for Jadeja. Takes a single off the last ball after tapping it to leg side. Going good, India here.

Anderson continues.

After 64 overs,India 204/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 38 , Ravindra Jadeja 24)

Rashid comes into the attack. Solid defences from Vihari to cope him. This is an interesting move from Root. Could be done to ask Jadeja to go after him in order to score some quick runs. Let’s see how Jadeja plays him.

Adil Rashid replaces Stuart Broad.

After 63 overs,India 204/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 38 , Ravindra Jadeja 24)

Two boundaries in the last Anderson over. One of the shots was not too convincing yet runs are runs. And the boundaries will irritate the bowlers. Guess it is time to change the bowlers for England. 200 up for India as well.

FOUR! Jadeja edges and the ball races away to third man for a boundary as the three slips watch on.

FOUR! Jadeja opens the face of the bat very late, and keeps the bat very close to his tummy, the ball runs away for four from the wide of third slip.

Anderson continues.

James Anderson needs three wickets to become the highest wicket-taker among pacers in the whites while Stuart Broad needs three wickets to go past Kapil Dev’s tally of 434 Test wickets. 

Who will achieve the milestone first?

76 balls faced by Hanuma Vihari. Came at a crucial stage and literally weathered the James Anderson storm. This has been a very impressive knock and never mind the debate over Karun Nair’s non-selection, he has definitely made a case for himself going ahead. Some times luck just favours who take the opportunity, and Vihari looks set at the moment.

After 62 overs, India 196/6 (Vihari 38, Jadeja 16)

Broad hit for a beautiful cover from Vihari. Then the edge pierced the two slip fielders and went for another boundary. Vihari should not have gone for this shot but he has two boundaries in the over.

FOUR! Edge off Vihari’s bat, pierces the two slips and goes for a boundary.

FOUR! Too wide and full from Broad, Vihari leans into the cover drive and fetches four runs for the country

Broad continues

After 61 overs, India 186/6 (Vihari 29, Jadeja 15)

Anderson continues. Continues coming round the wicket to Jadeja who is looking with every passing delivery. Ten overs have been played today and Inda have not looked too troubled.

Anderson continues.

After 60 overs, India 186/6 (Vihari 29, Jadeja 15)

Broad continues. One needs to admit that Jadeja is showing great resilience with the bat. He is leaving the ball well. And scoring singles whenever possible.

Broad continues.

After 59 overs, India 185/6 (Vihari 29, Jadeja 14)

Anderson continues. Keeps it simple and straight, bowling outswingers to Vihari. Vihari has been able to cope well against him so far.

Anderson continues.

After 58 overs, India 185/6 (Vihari 29, Jadeja 14)

Broad continues. Vihari tried to take an impossible single for Jadeja, came back in time. It goes on to reflect a bit of India’s plan that is to keep rotating the strike. But they will have to be careful with the running as both of them have not played together.

Broad continues.

After 57 overs, India 184/6 (Vihari 28, Jadeja 14)

Anderson continues. Vihari has looked good in this innings. His start was wobbly but he came about good. Looking solid at the moment. Has played 63 balls till now and with Jadeja, needs to continue the grind.

Anderson continues.

After 56 overs, India 183/6 (Vihari 27, Jadeja 14)

Broad continues. Jadeja hits a boundary on the last ball. That will give him some motivation going in this innings.

FOUR! On the legs of Jadeja and he flicks it in his typical style for a boundary to backward square leg.

Broad continues

After 55 overs, India 178/6 (Vihari 26, Jadeja 10)

Anderson continues. From round the wicket, bowls that line outside the off stump and keeps on taking it away from Jadeja, who has left well in this over. Yet the danger of him playing a silly shot looms large. This is a big test of Jadeja, the batsman, who has failed to live up to the batting potential in Tests so far.