India close on 125/3 and extend their lead to 257 on Day 3 of the rescheduled Test against England

[sweep_shot]

India lose their 3rd wicket.

They are effectively at 209/3.

[sweep_shot]

Danger man Pant.

England need to get him out quickly.

[sweep_shot]

If Pant stays at the crease for 20 overs, India should win it.

This guy plays like Afridi.

[JaDed]

Is it me or the pitch has deteriorated?

[Ab Fan]

Pant plays like Sehwag, not Afridi.

[JaDed]

If Pant stays at the crease for 20 overs, India should win it.

This guy plays like Afridi.

Can you be specific as to which test innings of Afridi is similar to Pant’s?

[sweep_shot]

Can you be specific as to which test innings of Afridi is similar to Pant’s?

I meant same mindset.

I think you forgot about 2005 Kanpur massacre. Also, he scored 141 in Test against India (Pakistan went on to win the game).

[MP2011]

If Pant stays at the crease for 20 overs, India should win it.

This guy plays like Afridi.

Its an insult of Pant to be mentioned in same sentence as Afridi.

[James]

India in the box seat but England putting up a fight. Much better bowling from Stokes thus far than his other recent efforts.

[MP2011]

I think you forgot about 2005 Kanpur massacre.

lol, that came in an ODI.

[sweep_shot]

lol, that came in an ODI.

He also scored 141 against India in India (Test).

Anyway. I was referring to mindset. Same mindset.

[sweep_shot]

India - 86/3.

Leading by 218 runs.

[sweep_shot]

Pujara survives. That was close.

Umpire's call.

[MP2011]

Good that Pant is keeping the scoreboard ticking.

[Champ_Pal]

Good that Pant is keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Vihari can learn a thing or two from Pant.

[Varun]

What do we make of Pujara?

Has he booked his place for some more tests?

Or was he never dropped like Rahane in the first place?

[Mp812]

Considering the fact that England chased well in last 3 test matches vs NZ , a score of 350 may not be safe. But the 'bazball' approach will sometimes backfire and a big margin loss is as good a reality as is an extraordinary succesful chase.
Besides Indian bowlers are ingood rhythm and pick up wickets regularly.
The first test of this series ended in draw but at 50 for 1 chasing 190ish score ,India probably would have won that one and the series before this 'rescheduled ' test

[Nikhil_cric]

Wth? Everytime the ball stops swinging, umpires keep checking the ball. Conspiracy against India

[Manunited18]

Its an insult of Pant to be mentioned in same sentence as Afridi.

LOL, afridi was a brainless slogger!

[jnaveen1980]

Every 10 overs or so they change the ball. This is not right.

[jnaveen1980]

40 overs 4 times ball changed. Even Nasser Hussain had to read the rule book that ball cannot be changed just because it doesn't fit the circular thing.

[James]

India playing well.

400 and they will be >95% safe.

[Manunited18]

Every 10 overs or so they change the ball. This is not right.

The new batch of dukes are having big issues up and down the country in first class cricket, so it's a continuation of issues on to the test arena.

[Mp812]

The new batch of dukes are having big issues up and down the country in first class cricket, so it's a continuation of issues on to the test arena.

Made in China Dukeballs perhaps

[Devadwal]

Disgraceful approached by aggressive England team under Brandon

[Mp812]

Ideally India would be hoping they can bat atleast till lunch on day 4 to feel safer. But Root,Stokes and Barstow can chase 400 in current form...so fun times ahead. Having said that the Indian bowlers are a quality bunch compared to NZ bowling recently so it wont be easy for the Englishmen either

[Ab Fan]

England bowlers started complaining as they started feeling that the match and series is running away from them.

[jnaveen1980]

The new batch of dukes are having big issues up and down the country in first class cricket, so it's a continuation of issues on to the test arena.

No. Nasser just showed t hat there is nothing wrong with this ball. This should not have been allowed by umpires.

[Manunited18]

That's been a long delay! Surely if pujara has issues he needs to go off

[Manunited18]

No. Nasser just showed t hat there is nothing wrong with this ball. This should not have been allowed by umpires.

Mark butcher Corrected Nasser to explain the issue to him.

[jnaveen1980]

Mark butcher Corrected Nasser to explain the issue to him.

As long as India gets to use a new ball every 10 oves we have no problem. Let us see.

[Saj]

257 lead, 7 wickets in hand.

The game is in India's hands.

Only another Bairstow/Stokes miracle can take England to victory.

[Smbhayi]

Pujara - Pant last five partnerships
53
148
61
119
50*

[JaDed]

Pujara - Pant last five partnerships
53
148
61
119
50*

Such different personalities , I wonder what are the stats of Dravid -Sehwag partnerships

[Marathonrunner]

Solid batting by Team India . Need to win this one

[Smbhayi]

Such different personalities , I wonder what are the stats of Dravid -Sehwag partnerships

I believe they've some biggest partnerships..

[Justcrazy]

India will win this , no way England can comeback

[Firebat]

Pujara, Pant fatten India's lead after Bairstow masterclass

An unbeaten 50-run stand between Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant put India in a commanding position at the end of day three after Jonny Bairstow's brilliant hundred.

The summer of Bairstow continues

After a circumspect start last evening, Jonny Bairstow was back at his obliterating best in the morning session of day three. Right off the bat, he took the attack to the Indian bowlers, putting them on the backfoot. It wasn't long before he brought up his half-century and he was galloping towards a three-figure score at the rate of knots. Bairstow also overtook Australian Usman Khawaja to become the leading run-scorer in 2022, with over 850 runs. His intent gave a real impetus to the England innings. For the most part, Bairstow looked unstoppable with only rain forcing him from scoring as an early lunch was taken. A slight delay after the lunch break due to a wet outfield, but when play resumed, Bairstow raced to his fifth Test century in 2022 – the most in this calendar year in men's Tests.

Stokes' luck finally runs out

Like Bairstow, skipper Ben Stokes also walked out with an aggressive mindset. But his intention to take on the bowling also created some opportunities for the bowlers. He was first dropped by Shardul Thakur, when he shimmied down the track against Shami, only to miscue his shot badly. Later, Indian captain, Jasprit Bumrah put down a sitter at mid-off as Stokes attempted an aggressive shot against Thakur. Off the very next delivery, Stokes was finally dismissed for 25 as Bumrah took a blinder, with Thakur having the last laugh.

Shami catches the big fish as Siraj wraps up England's tail

After a few overs of Bumrah bowling from one end, and Thakur from another, the India captain brought Ravindra Jadeja's spin into the action as the visitors kept their search for a wicket on. Shortly after, Mohammad Shami was handed the ball for the first time in the afternoon session, and he did not disappoint. On his first ball, he delivered an outside-off full-length delivery, tempting centurion Bairstow to drive on, only to edge it into the hands of Virat Kohli at first slip. Shami on his hunt for a wicket caught the biggest fish of the innings, bringing in some much-needed joy in the India camp. The England batter, on his way back, received a standing ovation from the Edgbaston crowd for his innings of grit – a 140-ball 106 (14 fours and two sixes).

Bairstow's wicket sparked England's collapse courtesy of Mohammed Siraj. From 241/7, England were bowled out for 284, with a first-innings deficit of 132 runs. Siraj first had Stuart Broad caught behind by Rishabh Pant for 1, then he had Sam Billings bowled for 36 before wrapping up the England innings with Matty Potts' wicket, who was caught by Shreyas Iyer at second slip.

Pujara fight helps balloon India's lead

After the innings break, India openers Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara walked out to bat while England handed the new ball to veteran pace ace James Anderson. Gill, for the second time in the match, fell prey to Anderson, caught at the second slip by Zak Crawley. India 4/1 in 0.3 overs. After an early hiccup, Pujara and Vihari took India to tea at 37/1.

Vihari departed soon after the tea break and Virat Kohli's stay at the crease did not last for long either – a fasntastic delivery from Stokes bringing about his downfall as Root lapped up a sharp catch at first slip.

Pujara was his usual patient self and despite surviving a couple of close calls and a nasty blow to his fingers, brought up his 33rd Test fifty. His partner Rishabh Pant continued in the same aggressive fashion he employed in the first innings and together the duo helped India's lead past 250.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2665889?sf167007413=1

[dravidthewall]

Credit where it is due.Pujara played well today .scored 50 runs ,when other side wickets were falling .Hold the ship at one end ,ensure no more collapse.Guy perfectly suited for test cricket Sheer determination,took nasty blows in body.

[Manunited18]

Pretty embarrassing to be honest. India have turned up here undercooked missing their best 2 top order bats yet England have been througly outplayed. England have along way to go to get back up there with the best.

[Saj]

Schedule hours of play for day 4:

1030-1230 1st session
1230-1310 Lunch
1310-1540 2nd session
1540-1600 tea
1600-1800 3rd session
30mins to complete the overs
98 overs to play

[James]

England played superb cricket against New Zealand with bat, ball, and in the field & fully deserved their 3-0 victory.

This match has been a steep learning curve for them however. Though it has not been all bad. Bairstow’s form and Anderson being evergreen are big positives to take away. Plus young Potts looks like a keeper.

Although it doesn’t take the shine off their recent success, this experience is a useful reality check for England. I think the Test will end in the next 3-4 sessions with a convincing result for India, a win by perhaps 200+ runs.

England v South Africa in a few weeks looks like it could be a very close and exciting series.

[Buffet]

If Pant stays at the crease for 20 overs, India should win it.

This guy plays like Afridi.

There are no similarities between Pant and Afridi.

[sweep_shot]

There are no similarities between Pant and Afridi.

I was referring to mindset. Afridi used to go after bowlers from the get go (just like Pant).

Afridi of late-90's and early-2000's.

[JaDed]

I was referring to mindset. Afridi used to go after bowlers from the get go (just like Pant).

Afridi of late-90's and early-2000's.

Pant doesn’t go after bowlers from get-go.. even in the first innings he didn’t.

[sweep_shot]

Pant doesn’t go after bowlers from get-go.. even in the first innings he didn’t.

He went after the bowlers very quickly during 1st innings. India were something like 100/5 and Pant started to counterattack.

Afridi used to have a similar role. Counterattacking/pinch hitting.

[Buffet]

I was referring to mindset. Afridi used to go after bowlers from the get go (just like Pant).

Afridi of late-90's and early-2000's.

Pant does not do that.

[Buffet]

He went after the bowlers very quickly during 1st innings. India were something like 100/5 and Pant started to counterattack.

Afridi used to have a similar role. Counterattacking/pinch hitting.

All counter attacking batsmen are not pinch hitters. Afridi used to often slog without picking a good ball to slog. Many great batsmen including Ponting, SRT have slogged, but they used to pick a ball to slog and didn't try on every ball. Pant does not slog like Afridi otherwise it will be impossible to score so many away tons outside Asia.

To put it in perspective, If Pant manages to get two more tons in SENA then he will be among the top 5 Ton's scorer in SENA from entire history of Asian batsmen. If I am not wrong, he has a few around 90 score as well. Someone with mentality of Afridi will never come close to making it near top 5 ton scorer in SENA.

Pant and Afridi are totally different batsmen in all aspects. Just like SRT and Kalu were different batsmen despite both being aggressive opener. One was pinch hitter and other was not.

[PakLFC]

India has won this one. Only baarish can save the England

[Mp812]

India has won this one. Only baarish can save the England

That would be miracle but still tragically funny. Thats because then rain would have saved England escape with a draw in the first and fifth test of this series but still would loose series 2 to 1. Tragic and hilarious at same time

[Ab Fan]

Pant has done really well for us and ensured that the fragile middle order doesn't get exposed by batting at no.5. Hopefully, if he can bat one hour longer today he will be able to make a difference and put us in a commanding position.