Chennai: Another day went England’s way in Chennai as India were reduced to 257/6, a deficit of 321, by the time stumps were drawn on day three.
England added 23 runs to their overnight 555/8 before being bowled out in the morning, after which Dom Bess and Jofra Archer troubled the home batsmen. Bess, particularly, was a thorn in the Indian side, returning with 4/55, including the key wickets of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara.
Stumps in Chennai:
A tough day for India as they slip to 257/6 at the end of day three after bowling England out for 578 🏏
The hosts still trail by 321!#INDvENG ➡️ https://t.co/gnj5x4GOos pic.twitter.com/VNWXrQoWmF
— ICC (@ICC) February 7, 2021
India will hope their overnight pair of Washington Sundar and R Ashwin, both local boys familiar with the MA Chidambaram Stadium surface, can continue to resist England well into the fourth day.
Jasprit Bumrah and Ashwin saw off Bess and Jimmy Anderson on the third morning, although there were a few frustrating runs added in the interim, before Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill took the crease. For a brief while thereafter, it seemed it would be more one-way traffic with the batsmen dominating – the duo both found the fence with classy strokes – but Archer was in prime form, especially in the morning.
He managed a hint of away seam movement, and that did it for Rohit, who was caught behind for six. Gill looked good for as long as he was in the middle, particularly with his exquisite back foot punches, but after giving the impression he was settled, he was dismissed tamely, spooning an on-drive to Jimmy Anderson at mid-on.
Kohli joined Pujara to see them through to lunch, but on resumption, Bess joined the party. Kohli played well away to one from Bess, and his inside-edge was gobbled up by short leg. When Rahane followed suit shortly thereafter, becoming Bess’s second wicket, India were in dire straits at 73/4.
It was then the value of a batsman like Rishabh Pant was driven home. India were in danger of being bogged down against the England spinners at the time, but Pant took the attack to them, with Pujara playing yang to Pant’s yin at the other end.
When Rishabh Pant is batting …#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/40Y2dd2t9M
— ICC (@ICC) February 7, 2021
Pant decided to come out to Jack Leach’s deliveries, and repeatedly tonked him over six. Pujara used his feet as well, but stuck to his strengths, driving and flicking away to find the fence. The duo quickly drained the momentum England had gained from those early wickets, and with both batsmen scoring at a good rate, India were once again comfortable.
Both brought up their half-centuries in the same over off Leach in the second session and carried on in a similar vein after tea. They brought up their 100-run partnership and looked good for another 100. However, the break came for England rather, fortunately. Pujara pulled Bess powerfully, but saw the ball rebound off the shoulder of the fielder at short leg, and pop straight to Rory Burns at short mid-wicket.
Pujara was furious for the manner of the dismissal, but England had the all-important opening. But so long as Pant was playing as he was, their total – as lofty as it was – still seemed insufficient. However, Pant holed out just nine short of a century, having struck at over a run-a-ball, and India were in trouble at 225/6.
Sundar and Ashwin then came together to attempt to fight back. They adopted a more assiduous approach than Pujara and Pant, putting on an unbroken 32* in 104 deliveries before stumps were drawn.
Brief scores: India 257/6 (Rishabh Pant 91, Cheteshwar Pujara 73; Dom Bess 4/55, Jofra Archer 2/52) trail England 578 (Joe Root 218, Dominic Sibley 87; Jasprit Bumrah 3/84) by 321 runs.
