India vs England, 1st Test: Key takeaways from Day 3
What's the story
The England cricket team is on top against India in the ongoing first Test match. After managing 578/10 in the first innings, England have India under the mat. At stumps on Day 3, the hosts are 257/6 Dominic Bess was terrific with the ball as India fought back with a 119-run fourth-wicket stand between Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant. Here are the details.
Pujara
Pujara shows sheer application in a positive knock
Pujara was playing beautifully before a bizarre dismissal sent him back. The classy batsman struck 11 fours in a 73-run knock. With India reeling at 73/4, Pujara showed application and played some glorious strokes. He used his feet well against the spinners. He hit his 29th half-century in Test cricket and raced to 6,184 runs.
Pant
Pant glitters with a 91-run knock
Pant was at his best and played aggressively. He was on the go from the start and attacked the England bowlers. The southpaw never allowed Jack Leach to settle down. He hit nine fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 103.41. However, just when India needed him to rally on, another aggressive shot saw him lose his wicket.
Fielding
England's fielding deserves praise
India were sloppy on the field, however, the same cannot be said for England. James Anderson showed age is just a number after diving low and forward at mid-on to complete the catch of Shubman Gill. Ollie Pope was superb, taking a reflex catch at short leg, dismissing Virat Kohli. Root's dive with his left hand outstretched to dismiss Ajinkya Rahane was a stunner.
Bess
Spinner Dom Bess shows his quality
Dom Bess was terrific and claimed four wickets to jolt India's progress. His tossed-up delivery that spun in sharply saw Virat Kohli pressing forward and pushing at it. The length ball saw Kohli get dismissed. Moments later, he got Ajinkya Rahane out as well. Bess also broke the partnership and got key wickets of Pujara and Pant. It was a strong display.
Team India
Indians guilty of poor shot selection
Rohit Sharma was dismissed by a Jofra Archer beauty but several wickets were lost due to poor shot selection. Shubman Gill got a steady start but being too aggressive hurt him. Rahane failed to dispatch a full toss and the ball stayed in the air which saw Root pulling off a blinder. Meanwhile, Pant tried to charge down the wicket and lost his wicket.