Following a thrilling opening session of play, India maintained their strong form and got off to a flying start in the second session of the third Test against England on Saturday.
Rohit Sharma started the practice with Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja at each end. The strategy paid off as both bowlers took wickets off consecutive deliveries.
Ben Stokes attempted to escape the shackles by smashing Ravindra Jadeja over long-on, but lacked timing. Jasprit Bumrah positioned himself under the ball and made a superb catch to eliminate the England captain.
The hosts struck again with their second ball, when Mohammed Siraj sent a delivery into wicketkeeper Ben Foakes from the opposite end. The ball appeared to halt on the right-hander as he chipped it straight into Rohit Sharma’s clutches at mid-on.
Here’s a video showing both dismissals:
England’s 45-minute interval after lunch on Day 3 proved disastrous, as they were swept out for 319. Mohammed Siraj was India’s best bowler, with figures of 4/84.
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The hosts were clearly on the back foot at the close of Day 2 with England on 207/2 at Stumps. Things became worse for India when Ravichandran Ashwin had to retire from the remaining Test owing to a family medical issue.
The hosts needed to demonstrate character to halt England in their tracks, and that’s exactly what they did. The opening session was interesting, with India conceding only 83 runs and taking three wickets, and what followed after lunch was a bowling riot.
England could only add 29 runs to their total at lunchtime before losing their final five wickets, giving the hosts a big first-innings advantage of 126 runs. Such a performance in Ashwin’s absence will boost Rohit Sharma and his team’s confidence and momentum.
