Stokes catches Kohli after India fightback

Rishabh Pant on Saturday became the first Indian batsman to open his Test cricket account with a six.

Both Hardik Pandya and the test debutant Rishabh Pant have taken on the field after the departure of Kohli and Rahane.

A day of fluctuating fortunes ended when James Anderson, England´s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, struck with the new ball to have Hardik Pandya (18) caught by Jos Buttler at second slip.

In the third Test for a change, Indian openers were looking comfortable while facing England’s pace attack.

Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Lokesh Rahul started the innings promisingly, perhaps not so assuring for five day contest, before Chris Woakes downsized the first partnership of India to 60.

England all-rounder Chris Woakes has gone from strength to strength since his emphatic return after injury in the Lord’s Test, where his show with bat and ball won him the Man of the Match award. Resuming the day on 307 for 6, India could only manage to add 22 runs to their overnight total.

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane gradually redeemed the disaster; slowly they added 159 runs in the fourth wicket.

Pant walked in to bat after Kohli was dismissed on 97 by Rashid. England have a good selection headache on their hands. However, it seems he did what he was selected for by removing Indian captain from the crease.

Kohli remained, seemingly certain for his second ton of the series, only to be tempted by Rashid into edging a drive to Stokes at slip.

After Chesteshwar Pujara’s departure, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane handle the reins of India. On Saturday, Rahane chose to ditch the drive and was prepared to look ugly to make a stance.

Chris Woakes took all those wickets en route to figures of three for 75 in 20 overs.

Kohli averaged 60 in the first two Tests, yet not one of his team-mates managed to post a single score in excess of 33. Batting first was the best way for England to control a game they only need to draw to deny India overall victory in this Specsavers series.

There was no more than a solitary boo when Stokes was brought on to bowl, followed by polite applause.

However, Rishabh Pant looked promising with a refreshing approach in his debut Test so far..

# WICKET! Pant sent off by Broad’s delivery.

“Definitely, I was not getting too bogged down after the first Two Tests”. Anderson and Broad bowled a tad short and the ball didn’t swing much in the first hour of play as India were well placed at 43-0. Fit-again Jasprit Bumrah is likely to play his first Test on English soil, replacing Kuldeep Yadav, who played as the second spinner at Lord’s. Virat Kohli still around!