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Preview: England rode on a strong batting performance in their first innings to secure an upper hand on the second day of the first cricket Test match against India here on Thursday. Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Moeen Ali struck centuries to spearhead England’s charge as the visitors finished their first innings at 537 runs. India were 63/0 at stumps in reply to England’s challenging first innings total. [caption id=“attachment_3100056” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Alastair Cook and Virat Kohli. AP[/caption] Indian openers Gautam Gambhir (28 batting) and Murali Vijay (25 batting) were at the crease at the close of the day’s play at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Both Gambhir and Vijay have hit four boundaries each. Stokes was the highest scorer for the visitors with 128 while Root scored 124. Ali, who was on 99 at close of play on Wednesday, completed his century before being dismissed for 117. Jonny Bairstow missed out on what would have been a well-deserved half-century as he scored 46 runs in a 57-ball innings that included five boundaries and a couple of hits into the stands. For India, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja returned figures of 3/86 and pacers Mohammed Shami (2/65). Star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (2/167) and pacer Umesh Yadav (2/112) however proved expensive. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra (1/98) bagged one wicket. Resuming at the overnight score of 311/4, Ali and Stokes continued to score at a decent clip, producing a 62-run partnership. Ali, who completed his century with a single off Shami, could not last long after reaching the landmark as the pacer soon had his revenge with a superb incoming delivery that sent the off-stump tumbling. Ali tried to leave the delivery after misjudging the bounce and had to pay the price. Ali’s departure did nothing to contain the visitors’ scoring rate as Stokes and Bairstow added 99 runs between them to pile up the hosts’ woes. Bairstow fell to a rash shot as he tried to hit a wide-ish ball from Shami through the off-side, but only managed to edge it to Indian wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha. Although Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid were dismissed cheaply, Zafar Ansari produced a patient 83-ball 32 to bolster the England total. By the time Stokes was caught behind off Yadav’s bowling a short while before tea break, the visitors already had a challenging total on the board. (With inputs from IANS)
India vs England, 1st Test, Day 3, Highlights: Visitors strike twice before stumps
England rode on a strong batting performance to secure an upper hand on the second day. Can India fight back? Follow our live blog for regular updates.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
150-run partnership comes up between Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara after running three runs in the 75th over.
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.