Jadeja fifty consolidates India position in Mohali test

India would eventually be bowled out for 417, gaining a first innings lead of 234.

The leg-spinner deserved minor credit for making the left-hander fetch him for an attempted big hit over long-on, where Woakes was characteristically safe under a high ball to end a 170-ball innings which had contained 10 fours and a six.

Since the series against South Africa a year ago, India have won in West Indies and beaten New Zealand to become the world’s number one test team.

India thus maintained their record of not losing a Test match at this venue for the last 22 years.

Struggling at 39/2, England promoted Jonny Bairstow to No.4 for the first time in his career but the stumper too departed after forging a brief 31-run third-wicket stand with Root.

His wicket ended the 97-run seventh-wicket stand between him and Jadeja as the duo lifted India after the hosts lost four wickets in the final session on Sunday. Just only twice, more runs have been scored for India by number seven and lower order in a Test innings – 259 vs England at The Oval in 2007 and 234 vs New Zealand at Wellington in 2014. A half-century from Parthiv Patel helped India attain the target of 103 quickly and strengthen their grip on the series.

The only wicket that would have seriously bothered them was that of Root. He’s had an altercation with Virat Kohli which continued, in a way, into the second inning. Every game, on an average we are scoring 80-85 runs (lower down the order).

India captain Virat Kohli on Tuesday said that he is happy that in a space of 12 months the questions about why the team is opting to win on “unfair tracks” have turned into how it is winning on “good wickets”.

Trevor Bayliss’ charge will resume day four 56 runs behind India, who look destined to open up an unassailable 2-0 series lead with two Tests remaining.

HASEEB HAMEED overcame the pain of a damaged finger and scored a fearless half-century – but could not stop England losing the Third Test by eight wickets.

Root was the top scorer in England’s second innings with 78 runs off 179 balls which included six hits to the fence.

After England had fought back with a clutter of wickets on day two, all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Jadeja reclaimed the initiative with impressive half-centuries.

Finally, after a dropping him a few times, Jayant fell for 55 of the bowling of Stokes to give England some breathing space.

Root, who was standing between India and victory, was dismissed for 78 by Jadeja (2/39 in 23 overs), who got one to turn away sharply as the edge was taken by an alert Ajinkya Rahane, who reacted quickly to stretch his right hand.

The Lancashire-born player won the hearts of many fans during his short India stay with Kohli terming him “a future England star”. Having so meekly surrendered the chance to set the pace in this game with their batting efforts, England took four wickets in a insane hour to reduce India to 204 for six. The pair was separated when Adil Rashid removed Jadeja in 124th over. He duly competed his half-century in 132 balls.

After ending the day 3 in a commanding position with the visitors at 78/4, the Indian spinners did not waste much time with Jadeja removing nightwatchman Gareth Batty in the second over of the day for a duck.