Rahul, Jadeja fifties frustrate England on another rain-marred day

SCORECARD

The third day was called off early as well due to persistent rain and only 49.2 overs of cricket was possible. England ended the day on 25/0, still 70 runs behind. With only two days left in the match, both teams would be hoping to exert their dominance tomorrow.

England could only deliver 11 balls at the start of Day 3 before rain began pelting down. After a 30-min break, the morning session resumed, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant brought India closer to parity.

Pant (25) went about his business as the known aggressor. He smashed Ollie Robinson for a four and six on back-to-back deliveries but lost his wicket on the next delivery, giving Johnny Bairstow a simple catch at cover.

Rahul, who was battling at 58* then, was joined by Ravindra Jadeja in the middle. Rahul and Jadeja stitched together a partnership of 60 runs in 113 balls to take India in lead.

Rahul looked good for a hundred but after Lunch, James Anderson provided England the much-needed breakthrough and in the process snaring his 620th Test wicket despite a couple of dropped chances early on. The wicket took him past Anil Kumble as he became the third-highest wicket-taker in the longest format. Rahul’s knock of 84 came in 214 deliveries that set up the innings for India to post a handy lead.

Jadeja went past 2000 Test runs with a classy straight drive off Sam Curran’s bowling who went wicketless. The dashing India all-rounder played some fantastic shots and brought up a quick fifty but perished soon after while attempting to go big off Robinson.

India’s tail waged a good battle fattening the lead. Mohammad Shami (13) hit a couple of good shots but the real entertainment came from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Bumrah clubbed Curran for a 4,6,4 in the 82nd over that made England even more desperate to wrap up the proceedings.

Root was forced to bring Robinson back into the attack and he successfully put an end to the 26-ball 33 run partnership. The tenth-wicket partnership helped India take a competitive lead of 95 runs.

In the few overs that were possible before rain put a stop to the day, England added 25 runs on the board with both the openers Rory Burns (11*) and Dom Sibley (9*) still at the crease.