TEST 1, DAY 3 REVIEW - INDIA REPLIES WITH CENTURIES FROM PUJARA AND VIJAY

Pujara and Vijay dominated the day

It was good batting display by the Indian top order despite losing an early wicket in the form of Gautam Gambhir, who added just 1 run to his tally from Day 2 and was caught before the stumps on a Stuart Broad delivery. After losing Gambhir early the responsibility was on local  boy Cheteshwar Pujara to build a partnership with Murali Vijay.

Pic credits : News Nation 

 Pujara had his wife and father in the stands to cheer and support him.
Chris Woakes tested Pujara with some neat and perilous bouncers, and though he got hit thrice, he didn't lose his ground.
Both Indian batsmen carried on well scoring their respective half-centuries.
India added 99 runs in first session with the loss of 1 wicket.

India enjoyed DRS!

The second session was a tad slow as India batted at a slow pace.
Also India enjoyed some luck as Murali Vijay was put down on 66 by debutant Hameed at cover off a Broad delivery and Pujara had a lbw decision overturned thanks to DRS, he was on 86.
Murali Vijay played spinners magnificently as he hit two sixes each off Zafar Ansari and Moeen Ali. Although, Adil Rashid troubled the batsmen with his googly.
As Pujara neared his century, nervousness grew as he played 8 balls on the score of 99 and after which the tea was called. His wife and father had to wait a bit long for the moment to come.
India added 66 runs to the total to take it to 228/1 at tea.

Shared session

After tea, Pujara took no time and played the ball for a single to reach his 8th century in Tests.
After Pujara, Vijay also completed his 7th century  in Tests. It looked like the partnership will continue for some more time, Pujara was caught in the slips by Alastair Cook off Ben Stokes' delivery on 124. Vijay and Pujara added 209 runs for the 2nd wicket and are termed as the most prolific duo since 2010.

Pic credits : Hindustan Times

Then came the skipper Virat Kohli, who took some time to settle in as he hit his first boundary after 17 balls. Both batsmen steadily progressed towards the end of the day. Just when it looked like India will end day's play on a high, England carved their way back in the game by taking two wickets in quick succession. First to go was Murali Vijay on the score of 126, on a googly from Adil Rashid and was caught at short leg by none other than Hameed, then came Amit Mishra as a nightwatchman but he also surrendered his wicket to Zafar Ansari  and got caught at short leg by Hameed on a duck.

Pic credits : The Indian Express



These two wickets meant a lot to the England team as they didn't let India go away with the day's play.

India ended day on 319/4 with Virat Kohli on 26*.  India still trail England by 218 runs and need 19 more to avoid follow-on.



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