Late wickets boost England, India 319-4 at stumps on Day 3

Late wickets boost England, India 319-4 at stumps on Day 3

17:04 Late wickets boost England, India 319-4 at stumps on Day 3:

STUMPS - DAY 3

India 319-4 (108.3 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

A late boost for England as India lose two quick wickets in the space of four deliveries to be reduced to 319 for four in 108.3 overs at stumps on Day 3.

Captain Kohli was unbeaten on 26 and looked visibly disappointed as he made his way back to the dressing room.

Vijay and Pujara hit centuries as India dominated with the bat before the two wickets just before stumps.

Vijay hit a gritty 126, while Pujara hit a fluent 124 as the duo put on 209 runs for the second wicket to lead India's strong reply with the bat.

England will be lifted by some assistance for the spinners late in the day and they would be hoping to make it count on the fourth day.
16:59 Vijay dismissed for 126, India lose 3rd wicket:

India 319-4 (108.3 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Woakes has toiled hard on this wicket, conceding just 38 runs in his 23rd over and has been one of England's best bowlers even though he has not bagged a wicket.

He sends down another tight over, with an overthrow giving away the single to Kohli to deny him a maiden over.

Leg-spinner Rashid replaces Moeen with around 10 minutes left for stumps.

Kohli plays a nice drive through the covers and is content with a single as Vijay is too tired to come back for two runs.

That proves vital as Vijay gloves the googly from Rashid and is caught at short leg after a gritty innings of 126.

Vijay fails to read the variation from the leg spinner as he goes back and looks to defend but the extra bounce takes the gloves, offering a simple catch to Hameed at short leg.

Vijay, who hit nine fours and four sixes in his 301-ball knock, was instrumental in India's dominating performance with the bat on Day 3.

Ansari to bowl the final over of the day. The first ball is short as Kohli hits it to sweeper cover for a single to get off strike and bring nightwatchman Amit Mishra on strike.

But Mishra lasts just two balls as he is also caught at short leg for a duck.
16:47

India 315-2 (106 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Kohli takes a few steps down the track to Broad, who bowls a bouncer which is defended. He tries another bouncer later in the over but this time Kohli stays back before nudging it fine on the leg side for a four and keeps strike with a single from the last ball of the over.

Kohli in his element as he slaps a wide half-volley from Moeen through the covers for a four to bring up India's 300, in the 102nd over.

Meanwhile, Vijay comes down the track and crashes it over long-off for the fourth six of his innings.

England's over rate has been quite dismal with 15 overs left to be bowled at the scheduled close of play, which means we will have 30 minutes of over time to make up for some overs.

Woakes bowls a short ball which Vijay nudges to fine leg and Kohli makes him come back for the second. Vijay has batted for more than six hours at the crease and would be satisfied with his effort that has seen India come up with a strong batting performance.

Moeen from round the wicket is making Kohli drive through the leg side but has three fielders in place to stop the Indian captain's trademark wristy flick.

Kohli, though, steers a slightly wide delivery through thirdman for two runs before he finally gets the gap at midwicket but only for a single.


16:23 Vijay, Pujara hit centuries as India dominate Day 3:

India 292-2 (100 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

After facing 10 dot balls in a row, captain Virat Kohli finally gets off the mark with a single on the leg side off Stokes in the 94th over.

With Kohli out in the middle, England bring in pace bowlers from both ends. Broad gets one to bounce just a bit more as Kohli somehow manages to defend it on the off-side.

Stokes tempts Kohli with a wide outswinger which he reaches out to and drives away from his body for a boundary. He will need to be careful with that shot, and not fall in the trap which England have set for him.

Kohli turns the fourth ball from Broad through the leg side for a single and Vijay clips it through midwicket as Kohli calls him back for three runs. Surely if it was Pujara, they would be content to stroll for a couple but Kohli brings in some urgency in the running between the wickets.

Stokes attempts a short ball to Kohli who goes for a pull shot but misses it as wicketkeeper Bairstow dives to his left to take the catch but umpire Dharmasena turns down the appeal for caught behind.

Kohli then fails to make most a full toss, hitting it straight to Ben Duckett in the point region as he misses out on some easy runs.

Interesting field placing from England as they employ three fielders close in on the leg side at short mid-on, short midwicket and short square leg for Vijay, who is facing Broad. Vijay drives a full delivery straight but it is stopped by the fielder at short mid-on.

England now have the wicketkeeper standing up to the stumps, this is more mind games than just tactics, trying to play on Vijay's mind.

Kohli lofts Moeen over midwicket but gets just a single with a fielder placed at deep midwicket.

India have reached 292 for two in 100 overs, trailing England by 245 runs.

15:44 Pujara dismissed for 124, India lose 2nd wicket:

India 277-2 (92 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

It is all too easy for the Indians as runs are coming quite easily with no threat at all from any of the bowlers.

Vijay shows his prowess as he hits Rashid back over his head for a straight four as it bounces just once before hitting the ropes.

Change of ends for Stokes works for England as he strikes with the wicket of Pujara, who is caught at wide slip by Cook after a fine innings of 124.

Pujara, who hit 17 fours in his 206-ball knock and added 211 runs for the second wicket with Vijay, tries to run it to thirdman for a single but ends up hitting it straight to Cook, who does well to hold on to a sharp catch.

New batsman Virat Kohli, who had to wait a long time with his pads on, successfully defends the remaining five deliveries of the over.
15:30

India 271-1 (90 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Left-arm spinner Ansari comes into the attack. Pujara will look to play a few more shots now that the hundred is out of the way. He shows some intent as he paddles Ansari fine on the leg side for a four.

In some positive news for England fans, James Anderson is on the field as a substitute for captain Alastair Cook who has gone off the field with Joe Root taking over as the stand-in skipper in his absence.

He makes a bowling change as Adil Rashid comes into the attack to replace pacer Woakes. His first over of the new spell goes for three singles before Pujara hits Ansari through the off-side for a couple.

Ansari slides on the pads as Pujara twice in the over glances the left-arm spinner for a couple of runs and a few deliveries later hits the same shot, this time finer for three to raise the 200-run stand for the second wicket as India continue to plunder the runs to reach 271 for one in 90 overs.

15:24 Pujara, Vijay hit centuries as India dominate with the bat:

India 252-1 (84 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Moeen to share the new ball ahead of Broad and Stokes. He bowls a wide delivery as Pujara cuts it through thirdman for a four before he takes a single.

Vijay comes down the track and lofts Moeen straight down the ground, over mid-off for his third six to take his score into the 90s.

Pacer Broad comes on from the other end, replacing Moeen, who bowled just one over with the new ball and was hit for runs.

Vijay flicks the fourth delivery through midwicket for a four and then steers the next ball past the slip fielder for another boundary to bring up his century in some style from 254 balls.

14:44 Pujara hits century to push India forward on Day 3:

India 229-1 (81 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Welcome back to the post-tea session with Moeen Ali bowling the first over of the final session.

Vijay defends the second ball as it stays low and hits the bottom of the bat before passing close to the stumps.

He is hit on the pads off the final delivery as umpire Kumar Dharmasena turns down the appeal but the England players have asked for the DRS.

That was a strange appeal as Vijay hit it firmly off the middle of the bat but the England players went up for the LBW but since they would anyways get two reviews back after the over. As per the rules, both teams would get their two reviews back after 80 overs.

England have taken the second new ball straightaway after 80 overs with India's score on 228 for one.

Pacer Woakes comes back and facing him is Pujara, who has been stuck on 99 for quite sometime now.

Pujara drives Woakes into the covers for a single to bring up his century, his ninth in Tests, from 169 deliveries.

His father Arvind finally gets up his from seat and sports a smile as a section of the crowd throng to shake his hands and congratulate him.

Pujara was positive right from the start, hitting his century from 169 balls, going past his partner Vijay (86), who was unbeaten on 25 when he arrived at the crease.
14:18 Pujara unbeaten on 99, India 228-1 at tea:
TEA - DAY 3

India 228-1 (79 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Pujara will have to wait for his century for a bit longer as he goes into the tea break on 99 not out, while Vijay has played a solid knock of 86.

India have made a strong reply with the bat to reach 228 for one in 79 overs, trailing England by 309 runs.

The duo have put on 160 runs for the second wicket from 329 balls so far to keep the England bowlers at bay on a flat wicket in Rajkot.

The session belonged to India, as they scored 66 runs in 29 overs in the post-lunch session without losing a wicket as England's bowlers toiled hard on the third day.

India will hope to continue their good performance in the post-tea session and continue to build their total.
14:16 Pujara unbeaten on 99, India 228-1 at tea:

India 228-1 (79 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Two singles for Pujara in the 74th over bowled by Moeen takes him into the 90s. In the next over, Pujara cuts Ansari through point for three runs to take his score to 94 and just a hit away from his century.

Pujara makes most of some width from Moeen as he again hits through thirdman for two runs and then turns the last ball of the over to deep midwicket for a single.

A change in the bowling as Stokes comes back with just four overs to go for the second new ball.

A quick single to Pujara at mid-on takes him to 99 with Vijay giving him good support by rotating the strike quite regularly.

The whole stadium is cheering for their local lad Pujara as he sits a run away from his hundred. Every delivery from Moeen is greeted with a huge roar before a dot ball plays spoilsport.

Pujara shows great composure to defend a maiden over, not giving into the temptation of trying anything in the quest to get to the landmark.

With just a couple of minutes left for the tea break, Stokes could possibly bowl the final over of the post-lunch session.

A close shave for Vijay as he looks to leave the ball at the last minute but gets an inside edge which goes very close to the stumps.

He flicks the fourth ball on the leg side for a single to bring Pujara back on strike as the crowd start their cheering again.

Two balls left for tea and Pujara is not a hurry as he defends the fifth ball from Stokes and blocks the last ball which is short on the off-side for another dot ball to stay unbeaten on 99.
13:42 DRS saves Pujara as India cross 200:

India 210-1 (71 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Off-spinner Moeen comes back into the attack after a long break, he had previously bowled in the morning session.

Vijay and Pujara pick a single each before the former paddle sweeps the fourth ball fine for a four on the leg side to take India past the 200-run mark, in the 68th over.

It will be spin from both ends as Rashid continues and he has bowled quite well, to bowl tight from his end and keep up the pressure from his end on a pitch which looks totally dead.

Vijay is looking to be positive against Moeen as he goes for the sweep but mistimes it and is lucky it falls safely behind square on the leg side for two runs. Once again Vijay and Pujara miss out on the chance to steal an extra run as they settle for two runs when they could have picked up three.

After a good spell, Rashid makes way for left-arm spinner Ansari. The young left-arm spinner strikes Pujara on the pads and the umpire instantly accepts the appeal and rules it out LBW.

DRS saves Pujara!

Pujara takes the review with the replays showing that the ball missed the bat and hit him high on the back leg. The ball tracking shows that the ball would have bounced over the stumps which means Pujara gets the reprieve with his score on 86.

Team India will be happy that they finally embraced the DRS else Pujara would have made his way back to the dressing room and no one more excited than Pujara's wife Puja.

Pujara cut the next ball to deep point for a single to take his score to 87 and Vijay plays a similar shot for one to the same fielder.

13:10 Vijay, Pujara drive India forward on Day 3:

India 193-1 (64 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

The plan of Broad to bowl at the cracks outside the off-stump and produce everything nearly works. Vijay (66) drives on the up but the young Hameed fails to take a sharp catch diving to his left at short cover to give the Indian opener a lifeline. He turns the next ball on the leg side for a single to get of the strike.

Rashid bowls a beauty to Vijay, getting good turn and bounce to beat Vijay, who was looking to defend.

England looking to build some pressure with a few tight overs, using pace and spin in tandem.

Broad looking to bowl it wide of the off-stump and force the Indian batsmen to have a go and try to force it through the heavily packed off-side cordon, including six men in catching positions.

Pujara, who was dismissed for a couple of times after scoring fifties against England, looks keen to carry on to score a big century.

He is batting on 82, while Vijay is on 68 as India reach 193 for one in 64 overs.
12:50

India 190-1 (59 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Rashid bowls one down the leg side as Pujara glances it fine off his pads for a four to raise the 100-run stand for the second wicket.

The two Indian batsmen have settled down nicely and it would take a mistake from them for England to get a wicket at this stage, and their only hope rests now with the reverse swing.

A slight width from Woakes as Pujara steers it through the point region for a couple to take his score into the 70s, while Vijay is happy to bat steadily on a patient 63.

A few overs from Rashid before Alastair Cook takes the surprise decision to take off the leg-spinner as he is replaced by Broad, the only wicket taker for England so far.

Broad looking to bowl to a heavily packed off-side field but Vijay will hardly be bothered as he defends everything bowled at him, not willing to do anything fancy.

Change of ends for Rashid but no change of tactics for Pujara. The first ball is overpitched as the right-hander plays another elegant drive through the covers for a four.

Vijay gets three runs courtesy of overthrows as Stokes has an unnecessary got at the stumps to stop a single but ends up giving away two more runs.

The last ball is tucked fine on the leg side by Pujara as wicketkeeper Bairstow gives chase along with two others but fails to stop the boundary as Pujara takes his score into the 80s.
12:25 Vijay, Pujara hit 50s to lead India's strong reply:

India 167-1 (53 ovs) vs England 537 | Scorecard

Pacer Chris Woakes to resume the action after the lunch break. The first ball is on the pads as Pujara turns it on the leg side for a single and Vijay picks a single on the off-side from the third ball before his partner takes one two balls later.

Rashid, who bowled a good probing spell before the lunch break, will continue. Pujara again looking busy as he picks a single on the off-side from the first ball before Vijay defends the next four balls and then hits the last ball on the off-side for one.

Vijay showed great patience at the start of Day 3, taking his time to get his eye in and he looks to follow the same formula yet again as he plays out another maiden over from Woakes.