The Cricket played in the India-England Test Series continues to amaze me. It is so difficult to predict which way the winds will blow. No team is prepared to give an inch, and if at all they do, they raise their game to claw back. India was struggling at Lunch on Day 2, but made a resounding comeback and by the end of Day 3, thanks to Siraj’s peach of a delivery, may just be ahead in the game.
A chequered bowling performance from England, 5 dropped catches, and some belligerent batting from India was the story of Day 3 as India marched ahead in an attempt to win the match and very deservedly draw the series. England, requiring 374 runs to win, closed out the day at 50/1, setting up a pulsating chase on Day 4.
His tired body notwithstanding, Siraj produced a great delivery to knock over Zak Crawley on the last ball of the day. Ben Duckett and Crawley had done well to see off the Indian attack in a tense hour in the evening. But Siraj’s inswinging yorker just caught Crawley off guard. The ball went under his bat and hit the off stump, prompting huge celebrations in the Indian camp. India is not leaving without its pound of flesh, and England will have to play out of its skin to win this one.
Earlier in the day Yashasvi Jaiswal and Akash Deep thwarted the English attack and recorded a 107-run partnership, which pulverized the England attack, with Akash Deep making a career best 66 and Jaiswal notching up his second ton of the series. Akash Deep showed yet again his grit and tenacity, and what an India Cap means to him. This partnership will be one of the highlights of the series without doubts.
Though Shubman Gill and Karun Nair fell cheaply, Jurel, Jadeja and Washington Sundar batted briskly and with great intent to snub the English bowlers. Jadeja scored a 50 yet again, and Washington Sundar, in the form of his life, belted 4 sixes to reach his half-century too and give India a massive 373-run lead over England.
It is up to the Indian bowlers now to win this and level the series. England are renowned chasers in the Bazball era, and since they bat deep, a thrilling day of cricket awaits us. It still could be anybody’s game, with India just having a tiny edge.
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