IND vs ENG: 4th Test, Day 3 Talking Points – Ashwin, Kuldeep put India in command

England had a golden chance to dominate the game on Day 3, which started with India still trailing by 134 runs in their first innings, with three wickets to spare. However, they failed to seize the initiative. Kuldeep Yadav and Dhruv Jurel added 34 runs to India’s overnight score before James Anderson dismissed the former. The eight-wicket partnership yielded 76 runs. Debutant Akash Deep came out to join Jurel and they added 40 crucial runs together. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 307 and Jurel was the last batter to be dismissed for an individual score of 90.

England took a 46-run lead and would have hoped for a solid second innings to set India a stiff target. However, the Indian spinners ruled the roost and bowled them out for 145. India cruised to 40/0 in eight overs in their second innings, chasing a 192-run target.

Talking points from Day 3:

1. Kuldeep Yadav registers best Test figures against England

Kuldeep bowled only 12 overs in the first innings. He was the least-used frontline bowler for India. However, things changed drastically in the second innings as Rohit put his faith in the left-arm spinner and he didn’t disappoint. The 29-year-old bagged four wickets, including the wickets of top-scorer Zak Crawley and the dangerous Ben Stokes. Kuldeep ended with figures of 4/22 in 15 overs, his best in the longest format of the game against England.

2. Dhruv Jurel continues to impress

Dhruv Jurel saved India from a precarious position with a gritty knock. He registered his first fifty for India and was eventually dismissed for 90 off 149 balls. He hit six fours and four sixes in his innings. Dhruv’s temperament under pressure earned rich praise from the experts on commentary. The talented wicketkeeper-batter helped India to reduce the deficit in the first innings to just 46 runs.

3. Ashwin ties Anil Kumble with the most five-wicket hauls by an Indian in Tests

Ashwin has joined Anil Kumble on the top of the list of Indian bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls (35) in Tests. Rohit gave the Tamil Nadu spinner the new ball and he didn’t disappoint. Ashwin accounted for the wickets of Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Ben Foakes, and James Anderson to finish with figures of 5/51 in 15.5 overs. The veteran off-spinner became the first Indian to complete 400 Test wickets in Asia.