The outcome of the match depended a lot on India's remaining second innings. On the third day of the game, where the match was stopped due to bad weather, when India's score was 3 wickets for 270 runs with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja remaining unbeaten on the crease. India's lead becomes 171 runs and there are still 2 days left in the match and visitors would definitely like to set a big target from here for the host.
What will England’s strategy be from here?
India’s first wicket fell in the form of Lokesh Rahul at the score of 83 runs when wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow caught Lokesh Rahul off James Anderson’s ball. After this, England had to wait a long time for the next wicket when Rohit Sharma and Chesteswar Pujara added 153 for the second wicket to bring India back into the match. This partnership also includes the century of Rohit Sharma, who answered many questions with one of his best test innings.
India’s score was 236 runs for 1 wicket when the hosts were almost on the back foot of the match. The game was progressing towards the end of the day and England were looking for a wicket, which was given by Ollie Robinson in the same over who had earlier removed Rohit Sharma and bringing England back to the match by dismissing Chesteswar Pujara after five balls of same over to left India with 236 runs for 3 wickets by the end of over. India then ended the third day’s play at 270 for 3 when the game had to be stopped due to bad weather and light and could not resume later, due to which the third day’s play had to be stopped before the regular overs.
What will be England’s policy from here when India’s lead is 171 runs in tomorrow’s game and they still have 7 batsmen left. While England would like to strengthen their hold in the match by taking out the remaining wickets of India as early as possible, on the other hand it is only their batting from here for India that can decide their victory or will take them to the brink of defeat if the rest of the wickets fall early with the start of tomorrow's play.
India's batting has once again changed its course when Ravinder Jadeja has been sent out to bat before Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant little surprised everyone that is this decision right when you are at such a crucial juncture of the match. On the other hand, Virat Kohli once again not giving a chance to a player like Ashwin, indicated a lot of things about his mindset of favouritism towards the players.
