India were 125 for three at stumps against England on the third day of the rescheduled fifth Test here on Sunday. Having taken a first-innings lead of 132 runs, the visitors have extended their overall lead to 257 with seven wickets remaining in their second innings. At close of play, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant were batting on 50 and 30 respectively. India bowled out England for 284 in their first innings.
Jonny Bairstow was the most successful batter for England as he smashed 106 off 140 balls. He added 66 with skipper Ben Stokes (25) before forging a 92-run partnership with Sam Billings (36). The Indians’ made 416 all out in their first innings. England resumed the day at 84 for five, with Bairstow (12) and Ben Stokes, who was yet to open his account, at the crease.
It must be said that even though the day belonged to India, the first session was definitely all about Jonny Bairstow! What form this man has been in as he notched up his 5th Test century this year and third in consecutive Test matches. Mohammad Shami was outstanding as he constantly tested the English batters all morning. Eventually, England added 200 runs to their overnight score to reach 284 with the help of small cameos from Ben Stokes, Sam Billings and Matthew Potts.
It was Mohammad Siraj who cleaned up the tail after Lunch and ended with 4 wickets in his kitty.India tightened their grip on the rearranged fifth Test against England, with an overall lead of 257 and with seven wickets in hand, despite Jonny Bairstow’s belligerent hundred on day three of the contest at Edgbaston. A charged-up Bairstow smashed a rapid 106, his third hundred in four innings, providing the bedrock for England’s 284 all out in reply to India’s 416. India reached 125-3 at stumps in their second innings with the dour Cheteshwar Pujara (50) and Rishabh Pant (30) in the middle. India are 2-1 up in the series which could not be completed last year following COVID-19 cases in the India camp ahead of the final match at Old Trafford.Right then, India have managed to get three days of this Test match in their favour and will be hoping to reach the finish line.
There is much to look forward to in this match. Can India translate their dominance into a victory? Can England fight back as they so often have done this summer? Will rain have some more role to play in this game? Two more days for all our questions to be answered. The weather is slated to be better for the last two days which is good news for all cricket lovers out there. Day 4 will begin at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT) but our build-up will begin much sooner. Till then, take care and goodbye!This article has not been edited by our staff and has been posted to keep the users updated about the sports World.
