New Delhi:
India looked well placed on Day 3 after they ended the day at 319 for 4 in reply to England's dauting first innings total of 537. Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara notched up brilliant centuries to steer India to a respectable score. The Indian batsman capitalized on a flat Rajkot wicket which dint offer much assistance to the spinners.
Gambhir and Vijay started off the proceedings on Day 3 in good fashion before experienced England seamer Stuart Broad trapped Gambhir Leg-before.
Pujara then strung a good partnership with Murali Vijay to take India out of danger and avoid any possibilities of being handed the follow-on. Pujara and Murali then notched up centuries to pile on the runs for India.The English struck back in the last moments of the post tea session to get rid of Pujara and nightwatchman Amit Mishra in quick succesion.
England had posted a mammoth total of 537 in their first innings. It is their third-highest ever in India. Visitors managed this huge score as they looked adept to counter Indian spinners and looked in great command over them.
The English batsmen also capitalises on two dropped catches, especially Saha dropping Ben Stokes on 61, he went on to score a century after that.
As far as Indian batting was concerned, openers Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijay gave a steady start to the Indian innings as they posed a partnership of 63 runs at stump on day 2.
Now it is up to Indian batsmen to capitalise on the batting track at Rajkot and try to get as close as possible to 537 run mark.
All eyes will be on India’s star performer Virat Kohli as fans expect to see him score a big one. Also while chasing such a huge score the openers are also expected to make a big partnership.
Let’s see how things unfold on day three of the first test.
Live Score: India vs England, 1st Test, Day 2
India vs England, 1st Test, Day 2
Here are the live updates:
# India ended Day 3 at 319 for 4 in reply to England dauting first innings total of 537. Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara notched up brilliant centuries to steer India to a respectable score.
# Zafar Ansari to Mishra, out Caught by Haseeb Hameed!!
# A tired dismissal to short leg. England claw back in the final few minutes. Vijay c Haseeb Hameed b Adil Rashid 126(301)
# Stokes to Pujara, out Caught by Cook!! The partnership has been broken. The bowling change works immediately for England. Stokes strikes off his first delivery of his new spell.
#Murali Vijay also notches up his Test century
#Cheteshwar Pujara notches up his 9th Test century
#India are 228/1 at lunch in their first innings in reply to England's 537
#Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara continue to pile up the runs post Lunch
#India are 162/1 at lunch in their first innings, trail England by 375 runs
#Vijay and Pujara scores half century consolidating Indian innings
#Vijay and Pujara string a half century partnership
#Pujara and Vijay going strong for India
#Cheteshwar Pujara batting on 25, looking solid
#Gambhir out early in the day, LBW by Struat Broad, India are 104 for 1
#Gambhir and Vijay come out to open on Day 2
