India vs England: 1st Test (Day 3 & 4) Review

As the game resumed on day 3, India looked more in control as they caused the English some serious problems with the ball. From 9/1 at the end of day 2, the Indian bowlers went on to dish out some real damageto the hosts as they found themselves 7 wickets down for only 87 runs. The Indian bowlers would have liked to exploit the situation by bowling them out before the hundred run mark. India dropped Sam Curran catch which proved to be really costly as he went on to score an explosive 63 off just 65 balls. This gave England the much needed boost as they went on to put a 180 runs between them and India in addition to the 13 runs lead in the first innings.

Chasing a total of 194 runs, India never really looked comfortable at the crease as the Indian batsmen were dismissed one after the other, shifting the momentum in England’s favour, again. Dinesh Karthik turned out to be the partner Kohli had been looking for, as they stabilised the Indian innings before the end of the day’s play. 110/5- India’s score at the end of day 3, needing another 84 runs to win the match.

It was not going to be easy for India on day 4, especially the first half an hour of the day. As expected, India lost quick wickets, including Kohli and Karthik. HardikPandya managed to put up a fight with his important 31 of 61, but it was too little too late as the Indians got bundled up for merely 162, losing the first test by 31 runs.