England’s Robinson bags five, India take lead

The third day of the 1st Test between India and England was heavily affected by rain as only 49.2 overs of cricket were possible.

Resuming on 125 for 4, India were all out for 278, taking an important lead of 95 runs on day three.

Batting conditions were far from ideal as India added 153 valuable runs during the day in testing conditions.

K L Rahul top-scored with a classy 84 while Ravindra Jadeja made 56.

The day started with India 58 behind with Rahul and Rishabh Pant in the middle.

As expected, Pant went for his shots. A few came off before he chipped one to short cover to be dismissed for 25 in 20 balls, off Ollie Robinson.

Interestingly, he became India’s highest run-getter in Tests this year.

Ravindra Jadeja came in at No. 7 and played his all-rounder part to perfection.

Along with KL Rahul, he added 60 runs for the sixth wicket.

Jadeja’s invaluable 56 contained 8 boundaries and a six and couldn’t have come at a better time.

More importantly, they managed to blunt Anderson and Robinson who were England’s key bowlers.

KL Rahul got a life when Joe Root dropped him off Anderson but two boundaries later, Anderson induced a snick that went straight to the keeper.

Jadeja fell trying to clear the field off Robinson and holed out to Broad.

Shardul Thakur didn’t last long, falling for a duck.

At that point, India were just 22 ahead with three batting bunnies to follow but Shami, Siraj and Bumrah stuck around and frustrated England, putting on 73 runs for the last 3 wickets.

Jasprit Bumrah even hit a six and made his top score (28) in Tests. 

KL Rahul was the pick of the Indian batsmen.

Rahul had been picked for this tour as a back-up middle-order batter but a shin injury to Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal’s concussion ensured his entry into the XI as an opener.

Anderson creates history

Veteran England pacer James Anderson surpassed Indian spin legend Anil Kumble’s tally of 619 Test wickets.

Anderson achieved the feat when he removed a well-set KL Rahul on 84, caught by wicket-keeper Jos Buttler.

Only Sri Lankan spin great Muttiah Muralitharan (800 Test scalps), and Australian wizard Shane Warne (708 wickets) are now ahead of Anderson, who is playing in his 163rd Test.

England pacer Ollie Robinson picked up his maiden wicket-haul.

When play was called off, England were at 25/0, trailing India by 70 runs.

Scores

England 183 and 25/0

India 278 all out in 84.5 overs (K L Rahul 84, Ravindra Jadeja 56; Ollie Robinson 5/85, James Anderson 4/54).