England fightback frustrated by princely Pujara

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Pujara was the backbone of his side’s reply and batted brilliantly with the tail to bring up his first century in England, ending the day on XXX.

India had looked well set for a more substantial lead before an England fightback with the ball in the afternoon and evening sessions.

KL Rahul was removed early on from a Stuart Broad nip-backer that struck him on the pad, departing lbw for 19. Shikhar Dhawan had played impressively but shortly after drinks was persuaded to nick Broad behind to Jos Buttler.

Despite those setbacks, and some persistent bowling from England, Pujara and Virat Kohli pushed their team into a strong position, putting on 92 either side of lunch. Moeen’s introduction just before the break suggested the pitch – and Ishant Sharma’s footmarks in particular – had plenty to offer to an off-spinner bowling at right-handers, a fact that won’t have escaped the attention of Ravi Ashwin.

Kohli was removed for 47 by one angled across by Sam Curran, with the Indian captain pushing and edging to Alastair Cook at first slip and from there the tourists struggled to put together weighty partnerships.

Ben Stokes, whose contribution was set to be reduced due to a knee complaint, may not have bowled at top pace but still proved a real threat thanks to the big swing he was able to find during a seven-over spell in the afternoon. He probed away until a big inswinger struck Ajinkya Rahane on the pads. The India vice-captain reviewed and, though Hawk-Eye offered three reds, thought he might be saved by a no-ball call, but a very tight decision went in Stokes’ favour and Rahane had to go for 11.

Rishabh Pant, known for his belligerence in limited-overs cricket, was completely becalmed, the 20-year-old left-hander making a 29-ball duck – falling lbw to Moeen to take the game to tea.

Hardik Pandya (4) didn’t last long: he tried to work Moeen out of the footholes and, with the ball spitting, succeeded only in popping the ball to Joe Root at short mid-wicket.

Ravi Ashwin – so often a calm presence for India – tried an ambitious reverse-sweep to Moeen and was bowled for 1 and the very next ball Mohammed Shami played well inside a delivery that crashed into his off-stump to leave Moeen with four wickets and on a hat-trick for the first ball of his next over.

It wasn’t to be for Moeen, as Ishant Sharma offered some resistance, but the recalled England off-spinner would have his five-wicket haul eventually, with Sharma caught at short-leg by Alistair Cook off bat and pad for 14.

That left India nine wickets down still 19 behind England’s modest 246-run total, but what followed was a frustrating spell for Root’s side. Pujara, who had been restrained for much of the day, began to open his shoulders, going over the infield at every opportunity and marshalling the strike impressively. After going to a century hitting Moeen over his head, he batted for over an hour with Jasprit Bumrah – who was eventually out for 6 caught at slip off Broad – to give India a lead of 27. In such a low-scoring affair, that could prove crucial. In that context, Pujara's unbeaten 132, which came off 257 balls as he batted for almost the whole day, will live long in the memory. Batsmen on both sides struggling to deal with the moving ball this series may well take note.

The wicket of Bumrah left England’s beleaguered openers, Cook and Keaton Jennings, a tricky 11-minute spell against the new ball to negotiate. They were up to the task. This fascinating Test match resumes on Saturday with England on 6/0, just 21 behind.