England’s Hameed to miss last two tests

India skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday credited the team’s lower order batsmen for exerting pressure on England’s bowlers after the hosts registered an eight-wicket win in the third Test at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) I.S. Bindra Stadium here.

Mohali: India have completely outplayed England in Mohali to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match Test series.

Virat Kohli, on 30 November, climbed a new high as he is ranked career-best third spot in the latest ICC rankings for batsmen. Patel hit a boundary to overhaul the target in style as India finished their second innings at 104/2. Spinners shine in England’s surrender.

The visitors have lost two straight matches, in Viskhapatnam and Mohali, after the first drawn Test to trail the five-match series 2-0. To get bowled out for 280, you don’t win many games in this part of world if you don’t get over 400.

“There is no excuse for England for the conditions or the pitch”.

Root’s departure just before lunch, to a memorable one-handed catch by Ajinkya Rahane away to his left at slip from an edged drive at Ravindra Jadeja, signalled the beginning of the end – despite Hameed’s ongoing refusal to buckle.

Pujara then joined Patel in the middle and the duo ensured that there were no more hiccups till the tea break.

In the Visakhapatnam Test, Kohli single-handedly led England demolition as he scored 167 and 81 not out to help India pummel the touring side by 246 runs. In his next over he was he was dispatched for four which ensured that India will have to bat in their second innings as England had moved their total to 137 and taken three runs lead with four wickets in hand.

Root’s departure for a valiant 78 brought Chris Woakes at the crease, and the all-rounder was unbeaten alongside Hameed at lunch.

Even in their second outing, the English top half fell apart at 78-4 on the evening of day three with batsmen forced to bat up the order after an injury to teenage opener Haseeb Hameed. James Anderson was the last wicket to fall as he was run-out by Jadeja.

Earlier, England started their second innings at the overnight score of 78/4, still trailing India by 56 runs.