England got rid of Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli in quick succession but R Ashwin and Wridhhiman Saha then stymied the visitors to put get India to a decent first innings total of 411-6 at lunch on day three of the Rajkot Test.
The biggest talking point was Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s dismissal, the aggressive batsman letting his left leg graze the stumps while he was attempting to Adil Rashid while on 40. The subsequent hit-wicket stunned Kohli, while the Englishmen celebrated wildly for the 28-year-old was looking well-set up until that moment.
Rahane was the other wicket of the day, getting clean bowled by Zafar Ansari on just 10 and after Kohli’s dismissal, England were smelling blood.
Due to the dogged persistence of Ravichandran Ashwin and Saha though, it was not to be as the duo made sure India crossed the 400-run mark without any wobbles.
Saha even sent one in the stands and should they stick around till tea, England’s first innings total will be in sight. The Test is still very much in the balance and with a wicket that is bouncing and turning, truly anything can happen.
