Pujara, Kohli find form as India end day three on a steady note

SCORECARD

England resumed the proceedings on Day 3 at 423/8. They started confidently with Craig Overton smashing Mohammad Shami for back-to-back fours in the first over of the day. However, the bowler had the last laugh as he trapped Overton in front in his next over for 32. The last-wicket pair of Ollie Robinson and James Anderson failed to inflict further damage and Jasprit Bumrah dismissed the former to wrap up England's innings on 432; the hosts securing a massive lead of 354 runs.

India needed a patient start and their openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul gave them just that. Both Anderson and Robinson tested the India openers, drawing edges, forcing them to play forward. Rahul was given out lbw in the 10th over off Robinson but Rohit urged his partner to take a review, which resulted in Rahul getting a reprieve on 6.

The England bowlers continued with their attacking approach and while the India openers managed to survive for most of the session, things unravelled towards the end as Overton got Rahul in the final over before lunch, thanks to a terrific one-handed catch diving to his left by Jonny Bairstow in the slips.

The second session proved extremely vital for the visitors. Shrugging off Rahul's loss before lunch, Rohit paired with Cheteshwar Pujara to put up a defensive display, frustrating the England bowlers. The India opener survived a lbw review on 35 but managed to hang on. He also brought up a hard-working half-century, his second-wicket stand with Pujara also crossing fifty. Anderson and co kept bowling tighter lines and lengths but the duo survived, strengthening their hold on the match, scoring 78 runs in the session without losing a wicket.

The hosts had the perfect start to the final session as Rohit Sharma was adjudged lbw off the bowling of Ollie Robinson. Sharma reviewed the call and the replays showed that the ball was just touching the stumps, as England celebrated a massive wicket.

Pujara though continued building up his innings, looking fluent while bringing up his half-century. He was joined by skipper Kohli and the pair looked assured at the crease, displaying their best form in the series so far, taking their partnership over the fifty run mark.

With the light quickly fading, the umpires called time on the day with India's score at 215/2, trailing England by 139 runs. Pujara will resume day four at 91* with Kohli on 45*.