India beats England in 3rd test, leads series 2-0

India captain Virat Kohli on Tuesday lauded the lower-order batsmen after India’s 8-wicket victory over England in the third Test match at Mohali. So whatever happens in Mumbai and Chennai, England have averted the worst fate prophesied for a team little versed in the ways of consistency or Asia.

Joe Root was unbeaten on 36 at the close with nightwatchman Gareth Batty on nought and the touring side face an uphill battle to save the match at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.

Teenager Hameed, 19, who is batting with an injured finger on his left hand, came out to bat at number eight.

Haseeb showing character was a positive but it has been a frustrating four days.

All-rounder Moeen Ali is also a good option. Jayant Yadav scored 55 including five boundaries.

The introduction of Ben Stokes would work a treat England as Ashwin (72) skewed a drive to point off the fifth ball of the allrounder’s first over. The original decision was overturned on DRS review.

But Hameed delayed the inevitable and showed that he is one for the future with correct technique and a temperament to match with it. India are poised for victory, may be more than one day to spare. It is still a decent pitch. England lost their sixth wicket of Jos Buttler (18) at 107 in 46.4 overs.

“To play like that (with an injury), that was a very special knock”.

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Ravindra Jadeja removed a gutsy Joe Root just before the break with England only 22 runs ahead of India.

Starting from overnight 271-6, Ashwin and Jadeja took India past 300.

Anderson and Hameed stuck together for an annoying 10th wicket partnership before Anderson foolishly ran himself out for 5 leaving Hameed high and dry on 59 not out. “We got motivated by that actually”, he said. It didn’t happen. They played well. Credit to India, they outplayed us.

Jadeja added 80 runs for the eighth wicket with Jayant Yadav.

The Roses alliance appeared to represent England’s last realistic chance of delaying India significantly, and Root completed a skilful and determined 147-ball half-century when he clipped Jadeja past midwicket for just his third boundary. Kohli had entered the best-of-five series against England at 15th place on the ICC List and has soared on the basis of 405 runs so far.

Shami made it two wickets in four balls when Adil Rashid top-edged attempting to pull his second ball only to be pulled swiftly from the attack with one wicket needed to end England’s innings.

“Our lower order has been consistently scoring runs and it bodes well for the team”.

England head coach Trevor Bayliss was equally impressed with Hameed: “He keeps awesome everyone with his attitude – you wouldn’t have known it (the finger) was broken in the dressing room”. He asked me for the fields he wanted. I knew I could make up the strike rate after facing 60-70 balls.

“We’ve got a few names in our mindset for sure but we’ve got to get together and chat as a selection group over the next 24 hours”, the Australian said.

Patel reached his half-century off only 39 balls.

Indian players had shaken his hand at the end of the England innings.