India vs England, 1st Test, Day 3, Highlights: Visitors strike twice before stumps

Stumps, day 3: Just when one felt that India has dominated the day, England took two wickets in the final few minutes of the day to remove centurion Murali Vijay and night watchman Amit Mishra. Centuries from Vijay and Pujara has put the hosts in a strong positon.  India are behind by another 218 runs, and with Kohli, Rahane, Saha and Ashwin still left, the hosts have a great chance to consolidate on the platform set. England on the other hand improved their bowling in the 2nd and 3rd session and would aim to bowl out India as early as possible.

Pujara on partnership with Vijay: We have been batting well even in the NZ series. The communication has been really good, and we have been discussing plans. We have a decent total on the board. We didn’t want to lose too many wickets. Still  Virat  and Jinx are there, as are  Ashwin  and  Wriddhiman  are there, and they all can contribute. I think there will be a lot of turn on this wicket.(On his use of DRS to survive an lbw decision on 86) I thought it hit me on the  back leg, and thanks to DRS I survived.

Pujara: Yeah I think its a great achievement, specially the first Test at Rajkot. Great feeling after getting a 100. I had been batting well in the New Zealand series. Just wanted to continue that way. Have played a lot of first-class games here, and was looking to play my natural game. Initially I thought I would just continue playing my shots. 

OUT! Ansari removes Mishra. Two wickets in the final four balls of the day for England. Mishra goes forward to defend, edges it and Hameed takes it easily at short leg. The night watchman falls for 0.

OUT! Rashid gets rid of Vijay for 126. The leggie bowled a googly, and it bounced more than Vijay must have expected. The ball kisses the glove and Hameed catches it at short leg easily. Vijay looked tired at the end and was struggling, but a  magnificent innings comes to an end.

After 103 overs,India 309/2 ( Murali Vijay 123 , Virat Kohli (C) 19)

England have deployed close in fielders for Vijay now, one at silly mid on and a forward square leg. Kohli has a word with him and asks him to be patient, maybe? Now Bairstow is standing up to the stumps. Moeen comes back into the attack and gives 1 run off his 19th. The field for Kohli is completely different as compared to Vijay. Kohli is batting more freely now, after tickling Broad’s delivery to the fine leg fence, he cover drives Moeen for another four in the following over to bring the 300-run mark. Vijay has joined the party now, dances down the ground and hits it over the bowler’s head for a six. Woakes comes into the attack and Cook keeps a short cover for Kohli.

India cross the 300 run mark after Kohli drives Moeen through covers.

Moeen comes back into the attack.

After 98 overs,India 291/2 ( Murali Vijay 117 , Virat Kohli (C) 7)

Kohli taking his own time to get in, no hurry whatsoever. Broad and Stokes are bowling in tandem. The Indian captain finally breaks away, drives towards cover-point to get his first boundary. A loud appeal from England, as Virat tries to pull Stokes, Dharmasena says no. Cook asks Bairstow and Stokes about the review, but decides to not take it.

After 93 overs,India 278/2 ( Murali Vijay 111 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

Stokes finally breaks the partnership by removing Pujara for 124. The Rajkot crowd cheered him with their hearts out as he walked back to the pavillions. Indian captain Virat Kohli has come out to replace him at the centre. Commentators have already started talking about his past record against England.

Virat Kohli walks out.
Average vs England: 20.12 (home 31.33, overseas 13.40).
Time to change a few things.#INDvENG

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) November 11, 2016

OUT! England get the breakthrough finally. Pujara tries to cut Stokes, but the ball takes a thick edge off his bat and Alastair Cook holds on to it at third slip. Pujara walks back for 124. A brilliant innings nonetheless. 

Vijay and Pujara bring up the 200-run stand in the 90th over. Vijay tickles it towards fine leg, and they run three to get to the milestone. 

After 89 overs,India 263/1 ( Murali Vijay 104 , Cheteshwar Pujara 116)

Both Vijay and Pujara have begun the third session the same way as they ended things in the second session. They are rotating the strike brilliantly.

Ansari comes into the attack.

Vijay in 1st Test of a series since Jun 2014:
146
52
53
99
75
47
7
65
76
103* (batting)#IndvsEng

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 11, 2016

CENTURY! Vijay gets to his seventh century with a four. Bat takes the outside edge, and the ball beats the slip fielder to run away to the third-man fence.  

After 83 overs,India 242/1 ( Murali Vijay 94 , Cheteshwar Pujara 105)

A little lapse in concentration from Pujara. Woakes bowls one very full, Pujara looks to drive it powerfully but it beats his inside edge. Woakes has bowled really well today. He’s mixed his lengths pretty well.

Woakes continues….

After 82 overs,India 241/1 ( Murali Vijay 93 , Cheteshwar Pujara 105)

India going on the attack. Pujara cuts one through gully ery late for four and then Vijay charges down the track to hammer one over long off for a six. Two more singles make it 12 runs off the over. Vijay into the 90s now.

Rajkot celebrates as @cheteshwar1 hits his 9th Test Century @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/5Bs3oZAOEF

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 11, 2016

.@cheteshwar1 - what a player! Nowhere to be seen in T20, nowhere in ODIs & had to fend off best efforts to leave him out of Tests too.

— Akarsh Sharma (@Akarsh_Official) November 11, 2016

Highest batting avg for IND at home (min 1000 runs):

69.78 C PUJARA *
69.56 V Hazare
55.93 M Azharuddin
55.59 D Vengsarkar#IndvsEng

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 11, 2016

Moeen Ali continues…..

After 81 overs,India 229/1 ( Murali Vijay 86 , Cheteshwar Pujara 100)

A decent over from Woakes, just one run off it. But Pujara finally got to the three-figure mark in that over.

CENTURY for Pujara! A special occasion, a ton on the home ground. The fans are congratulating Pujara’s father in the stands. Terrific scenes. Pujara pushes it to point and scampers through for a single. Second consecutive ton for Pujara, his 9th in Tests.

England have taken the second new ball. Chris Woakes into the attack now. Pujara on 99.

After 80 overs,India 228/1 ( Murali Vijay 86 , Cheteshwar Pujara 99)

Pujara’s wait gets longer. Vijay plays out a maiden. He again had a heart in the mouth moment when a bottom edge trickled just wide of the off stump. England then wasted a review as Vijay digged one out off a faster one from Moeen, the keeper was confident of pad first but replays showed no pad at all, it was all bat.

Right then! Back after the tea break. All eyes on Pujara who is on 99. Vijay will be on strike though. Moeen Ali to start off.

Che Pujara needs to make a career-defining innings at SuperSport Park so he can call his autobiography 'Hasta La Pretoria Siempre'

— Charlie Reynolds (@cwjreynolds) November 11, 2016

Tea, day 3: A slow session, not many runs, but it belonged to India as they went wicketless. England had their moments, Hameed dropped Vijay on 66. The visitors have bowled with much more discipline and will want to continue. However, the talking point remains Pujara, who’s been on 99 since 8 balls. Will he get to his century? Stay updated with our live coverage

After 79 overs,India 228/1 ( Murali Vijay 86 , Cheteshwar Pujara 99)

On 99, Pujara plays out a Moeen Ali over, tense moments not only for him but the Rajkot crowd. Vijay from other end, decides to leave a ball off Stokes, the ball hits the inside of his willow and almost goes onto his stumps. Woof, misses a close one. Takes a single to bring Pujara on strike on the fourth ball. Loud cheers at Rajkot. Plays out another two balls and walks back to the dressing room on 99 after tea.

After 77 overs,India 227/1 ( Murali Vijay 85 , Cheteshwar Pujara 99)

Successful review for the first time in India in a bilateral series. Pujara survives on 86 and his wife goes wild in celebrations. India have passed the tough phase and are scoring more freely now. Vijay and Pujara have completed their 150-run stand. And Pujara is batting on 99.

Stokes is back into the attack.

150-run partnership comes up between Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara after running three runs in the 75th over. 

First overturned decision of this Test, out of four and joy all around in Rajkot. #IndvsEng

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) November 11, 2016

Successful review: Ansari strikes in his comeback over, Pujara tries to defend, misses it. Umpire gives it out. Pujara reviews it immediately, and the replay shows it pitched outside off, impact is also in line but the bounce takes it well over the stumps. He survives on 86.

Ansari replaces Rashid to comeback into the attack.

After 70 overs,India 207/1 ( Murali Vijay 78 , Cheteshwar Pujara 86)

The lack of runs continues. Though, Cook introduces Moeen into the attack, replacing Broad. Vijay paddle sweeps Moeen to bring up a much needed boundary for India in the 68th over. That also brings up the 200-run mark for the hosts. 11 off the last 5 overs.

FOUR! Vijay brings up the 200 for India with a paddle down the leg side!

Live: https://t.co/Q5V9CyC164 #INDvENG

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 11, 2016

Moeen comes back into the attack.

Vijay-Pujara - 13th pair to put together 2000 pship runs for India in Tests
Their avg of 64.51 per stand is the best among the 13#IndvsEng

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 11, 2016

After 65 overs,India 195/1 ( Murali Vijay 69 , Cheteshwar Pujara 83)

England have dried up the runs, two maidens followed by 2 off the third and another maiden by Rashid and Broad. Cook has deployed close-in fielders to sustain the pressure. It can help them to break this crucial partnership, important for Vijay and Pujara to be patient and play out this tough phase. Only 4 off the last 5 overs. And, it’s drinks!

Now England are dropping catches. What does Rajkot do to fielders? :O#INDvENG

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) November 11, 2016

Indian Diwali gifts followed by an English Christmas present.

Vijay dropped. #IndvEng #IndvsEng

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) November 11, 2016

After 60 overs,India 191/1 ( Murali Vijay 67 , Cheteshwar Pujara 81)

A couple of tight overs from Rashid and Woakes. But England think it’s time to change ends. Broad replaces Rashid, who comes from another end by replacing Woakes. Bizzare scenes, Pujara glances off the pads and a 100 metre race follows. Bairstow and two other fielders run towards fine leg fence to stop it. They don’t, but Bairstow wins the race! Meanwhile, Hameed drops Vijay at covers. You don’t want to do that on your debut, do you?

DROPPED! Vijay drives straight into Haseeb Hameed’s hands at cover. The latter puts it down. Broad shouts in agony. Concentration lapse from Vijay, doesn’t cost him though.

Change of ends for Rashid then, replaces Woakes from other end.

Broad comes back into the attack, replaces Rashid.

After 55 overs,India 174/1 ( Murali Vijay 62 , Cheteshwar Pujara 69)

Woakes bowled the first over post lunch and Rashid from the other end. Vijay and Pujara complete their 100-run stand in the 54th over. A half-hearted appeal in the 55th over only from Woakes, neither players nor the umpire show any interest.

100-run stand comes up between Vijay and Pujara in the 54th over.

Vijay and Pujara are back on the field after lunch. Woakes to start the first ball post first session.

As long it's not contributing to your dismissal, issue with the short ball is not a big issue. It seems that way so far with Pujara.👍

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 11, 2016

Barring those three short balls which had @cheteshwar1 all at sea, he has been completely at home this innings. Super batting

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 11, 2016

Lunch, day 3: India have dominated the session after Gambhir’s early wicket. Scoring 99 runs off 27 overs. Pujara led the charge initially by scoring 24 off 22 balls. The talking point however remained the bouncers Woakes bowled to Pujara. The local boy got hit on the helmet thrice, but for some reason England stopped the ploy which was working well for them. Since then, it’s all India. Both the batsmen have scored half centuries and look set for a big partnership.

After 50 overs,India 162/1 ( Murali Vijay 57 , Cheteshwar Pujara 62)

Cook brings Adil Rashid into the attack in the 48th over. Despite the runs Stokes has leaked, England are persisting with him. A huge appeal in the last over before lunch for lbw. Vijay went forward to defend Rashid’s googly and the ball goes on to the hit the pads. Dharmasena says not out and England don’t review it. Good call, because replays showed that it would have gone over. Looked out to the naked eye, though. And, it’s lunch!

Master plan, this! 

England's cunning plan of keeping Kohli quiet by not allowing him to bat is working perfectly.

— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) November 11, 2016

Adil Rashid comes into the attack and gives only 2 off his 3rd over.

After 47 overs,India 156/1 ( Murali Vijay 55 , Cheteshwar Pujara 58)

Vijay and Pujara stitch together a fifty-run stand. Alastair Cook introduces Ben Stokes into the attack and Pujara hits two fours off his first over. Not a bad start, eh? It hasn’t stopped! Another lovely drive through covers by Pujara against Stokes. Pure timing! Don’t know why England has stopped bowling the short balls to Pujara, he was looking uncomfortable against them. Both the batsmen scored fities, Vijay reached the milestone with a six, and Pujara with a four. Meanwhile, Stokes is getting hit right, left and centre. 12 off his last, Pujara continues the aggresive show. 25 off his 3 overs.

FIFTY! Now, Pujara gets to the milestone with a four through covers. His 11th Test fifty. He started positively by reaching 24 just off 22 balls, slowed down a bit after he got the short ball treatment, but recovered well. 

FIFTY! Vijay walks down the ground and hits it over the bowler’s head for a six. His 15th half century, a slow knock, but effective. He has a knack of performing in the first Test of a series, did that against New Zealand too with two half centuries.  

Fifty-run partnership comes up between Vijay and Pujara off 107 balls in the 42nd over. 

After 41 overs,India 114/1 ( Murali Vijay 41 , Cheteshwar Pujara 30)

First over after the drinks, and Pujara drives it hard and the ball races away to the vacant mid-on region for a four. Ansari is keeping it tight at other end. Both Ansari and Woakes have slowed down things and much is happening. In other news, James Anderson has come out as a substitute fielder.

Umm, specialist fielder or the ball polisher? 

England have a new mid-off... James Anderson.

— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) November 11, 2016

Chris Woakes has troubled Indian batsmen most. Not sure if thats a good thing for England given how pitch is still playing true. #IndvEng

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) November 11, 2016

We are back after drinks. Woakes to continue.

After 36 overs,India 106/1 ( Murali Vijay 37 , Cheteshwar Pujara 26)

The short ball ploy continues. Woakes bowls another bouncer, Pujara gets hit on the helmet. A hint of turn already, Vijay tries to work Ansari’s delivery to leg, edges it and but lands safe near covers. And it’s drinks!

41/1 in 10 overs today #INDvENG

— JSK (@imjsk27) November 11, 2016

After 33 overs,India 104/1 ( Murali Vijay 36 , Cheteshwar Pujara 25)

Broad bowls a maiden to Vijay. Pujara has come out with attacking intent and so far, he’s been succesful! Cuts Moeen to point to get his fourth boundary of the day. Follows it up with a wristy shot to wide of mid-on. Ravi Shastri on commentary calls it ’the shot of the day!’ Pujara is on 24 off 22 balls, yes you read it right! Eventful knock so far. England batted with the same aggression in the first session of day 2. Broad has started reversing it already and both the batsmen have been cautious against him. No messing around, leaving the outside off line balls alone. Cook makes the first bowling change, replaces Moeen with Ansari. And Vijay treats him with a big six over long-on! Brilliant strike which brings the 100-run mark for India. Double change for England, Woakes replaces Broad. A bit of a intense talk between Broad and Cook, the former urged the captain to bring a left arm bowler into the attack. Both the batsman are mixing caution with aggression, not allowing England to build pressure at all. Respecting the good balls and hammering the bad ones. Woakes bowls a bouncer on the last ball, Pujara takes a blow on his helmet. Woakes asks him if he’s okay, the batsman says yes.

India reach the 100-run mark after Murali Vijay sends Ansari’s delivery to the long-on stands for a maximum.

Bowling change: Ansari comes into the attack, replacing Moeen Ali in the 32nd over.

After 28 overs,India 85/1 ( Murali Vijay 28 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Alastair Cook decides to open with spin on day 3. Unexpected, but a move which makes sense in Indian conditions. Stuart Broad to bowl from the other side and strikes on first ball! Just the start the visitors would’ve wished for. Misjudgement from Gambhir, tries to work it into the leg side, misses it and takes the long walk back for 29. Pujara gets off the mark with a four in the same over, a drive to wide of mid-off. Vijay plays out Moeen in the next over. Pujara looking confident already, putting the bad ball away with authority. Flicks Broad in his second over of the day towards deep square leg for a boundary. It’s his home ground, maybe that’s the reason? Knows the conditions well. Moeen continues from other end and Pujara hits him on the leg side for another four.

India vs England: Hosts have a solid platform, but will need to bat through Day 3 – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

Not sure what shot Gambhir was trying to play off Broad. Plumb as they come. #IndvEng

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) November 11, 2016

OUT! Broad strikes on his 1st ball. Gambhir tries to work it into the leg side, misses it completely. Typical appeal from Broad and umpire says it’s out. Gambhir has a word with Vijay who asks him to not review it. Big breakthrough for England, Gambhir falls for 29, Pujara comes out at the centre. 

Day 3 is underway. Gautam Gambhir is on strike, Moeen Ali to bowl the first over.

And the visitors have more encouraging news coming in

.@jimmy9 is getting miles in his legs... hoping to return for second Test:https://t.co/z8ogQm1PC0 pic.twitter.com/CNZKDojo3v

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 10, 2016

Joe Root seems happy with the day’s play

Another strong day with two superb hundreds! @benstokes38 and @MoeenAli #class #100 #comeonengland pic.twitter.com/OO0Pm1KK9s

— Joe Root (@root66) November 10, 2016