England Dominant through Jofra Archer and Young off-spinner Dom Bess

 

India v England - Day 3 - 1^st Test, Chepauk, Chennai

England Dominant through Jofra Archer and Young off-spinner Dom Bess

India was 505 behind at 73/4 with Rohit 6, Gill 29, Virat 11 and Rahane 1 back. But for Rishabh Pant`s counter attacking 91 and Cheteshwar Pujara`s solid 73 India is in a bit better position at the end of third day. Still 321 runs behind at 257/6 with local boys Washington Sunder 33 and Ravichandran Ashwin 6 at the crease. India still need 122 more runs to avoid follow on, though England may opt to bat again, instead of enforcing one. As England had already bowled 74 overs. And apart from keeping the bowlers fresh, England would prefer India to face the music on a deteriorating 5^th day pitch.

Earlier in the morning England`s last 2 wickets added 23 more runs to make it 578. Joy of wrapping England innings within around 10 overs did not last longer for India as Jofra Archer sent both the openers back by 10^th over. Rohit in just 4^th over, caught behind.  Shubman Gill was playing with quite ease and stroking the ball quite nicely, but failed to keep on drive, all along the ground.1-19, 2-44. Young off spinner Dom Bess struck in 25^th and 27^th over to send back Virat and Rahane. Virat at forward short leg and Rahane by flying dive to his left by Joe Root. 3-73, 4-74. Rishabh Pant started bit cautiously. But as soon as left arm spinner Leach was introduced in the attack,  Pant broke loose and hit him for couple of sixes in the same over. Batted with his usual flair. Pujara also flourished in his company and took the advantage of some disturbed England attack. But lost his wicket on 73 to a long hop, with the shot coming off forward short leg fielder to be caught easily at mid wicket. Duo added 119 runs to give some respectability to the total.5-192. Pant dominated Leach with couple of more sixes. But failed to Bess while trying to lift him over mid off. 6-225. Both spinners have started getting quite good assistance from the third day pitch. So it is going to be quite an uphill task for India to come back in the match to save later on fast deteriorating pitch of 4^th and 5^th day.