Mohali: India have completely outplayed England in Mohali to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match Test series. Parthiv Patel was the hero for India in the fourth innings, the wicketkeeper scored an unbeaten 67 in his comeback Test to lead India to a 8-wicket victory against the visitors.
Alastair Cook and Co. would be really disappointed with their overall effort in Mohali. Their batting let them down in both the innings, especially on the first day in the first innings. The visitors only managed 283 in the first innings after winning the toss.
English bowlers tried their best to bring England back into the game, as they reduced India to 204/6 in the first innings. But half-centuries from R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav helped India to take a 134 runs in the first innings.
In the second innings, scoreboard pressure played its part, as England batsmen struggled to put up a challenge. Joe root (78) and the injured Haseeb Hameed (59*) were the only who impressed, as England set an easy target of 103.
India 104/2 from 20.2 overs:
That's it. India have won the third Test against England in Mohali. India go 2-0 up in the series.
India 88/2 from 17.2 overs:
Out! Rashid to Pujara, out caught by Root. The leg-spinner was bowling around the wicket and forced Pujara to play the sweep shot. The batsman top-edged it and Root grabbed the catch at short fine. Virat Kohli has come out to bat.
India 83/1 from 16 overs:
Fifty! Parthiv Patel brings up his half-century in his comeback Test in Mohali. The wicketkeeper is back into the Indian Test team after eight long years
India 48/1 from 10 overs:
Partiv Patel looks in a hurry, the wicketkeeper-batsmen has made a quick fire 29, as India are only 55 runs away from a win in Mohali
India 33/1 from 6 overs:
It's time for tea. India need 70 more runs to win the third Test and take a 2-0 lead in the Test match series. Cheteshwar Pujara is batting on 13, Pathiv Patel is on 16.
India 7/1 from 1.5 overs:
England strike early. Murali Vijay is dismissed for a duck by pacer Chris Woakes.
England 200/all-out from 90.2 overs:
Run out! James Anderson is dismissed. India picks up the last wicket and England is bowled out for 236. India have to chase down a target of 103 runs to win the thirst Test.
England 200/9 from 86 overs:
WICKETS! Haseeb Hameed has once again showed that he belongs the big stage but Mohammed Shami has scalped two wickets in an over to cut short England's possible fightback. First, he sent Chris Woakes packing and then dimissed Adil Rashid.
England 156/7 from 70 overs:
WICKET! Big wicket. Huge wicket in fact as Ajinkya Rahane takes a brilliant slip catch off Jadeja's bowling to end Joe Root's vigil. India will go into lunch break with a certainty to finish the game on day four.
England 107/6 from 47 overs:
WICKET! Jos Buttler stay in the middle comes to an end. He tried to whack Jayant Yadav over the long-on but failed as Jadeja takes a neat catch near the boundary rope.
England 78/5 from 40 overs:
WICKET! Ravindra Jadeja has wasted no time to strike on day four. He has trapped nightwatchman Gareth Batty before the wickets and England are 5 down.
Mohali: India have spun the third Test on its head on day three after the lower order’s superb batting show and England’s defensive tactics. With England still trailing by 56 runs and with the top half of the batting unit – Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes – already back in the pavilion, the Virat Kohli-led Indian side will press for victory on day four of the Mohali Test on Tuesday.
With Haseeb Hameed struggling with finger injury, Joe Root and Jos Buttler will be England’s only hope to survive day four and prolong the Test till day 5.
However, that will be a task as Indian trio of R Ashwin, Jayant Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja will be waiting to unleash the trial by spin.
All and all, India are favourites to extend their lead in the series 2-0 and wrap up the Test a day in advance.
