England need domination on day four- lead by 171 runs

By Brain Thomas

Trailing by 56 runs with all 10 Wickets in hand on a good subcontinental type of pitch helped India to be the happier team at the end of day 3 , and the lead of 171 runs with 7-second innings wickets in hand seems picture perfect.

Rohit Sharma made his first overseas ton, which eluded him in the Oval Test. With 127 runs to his credit, he displayed his crisp cover drives off the English seamers and punches off Mohin Ali, to prove that he is now a full-fledged opener in the Red ball version.

Cheteswar Pujara made a brilliant 61, however, the team management will discuss him giving his wicket to Oliver Robinson in the same over as Rohit Sharma.

Rohit got carried away when he was on 127 and India on 236 for one wicket when he played into the hands of the crafty Ollie Robinson only to be caught by Woakes, but he set the tone for India’s come back in this Test.

Pujara gave the Englishman their third wicket in the same over hence a few concerns for the visitors on 237 for 3 wickets, however, Kholi and Jadeja took India to close on 270 for 3 wickets, which is good reading in compared to their batting display in the last three innings on English soil.

India lost their first wicket for 83, but all credit to Rohit and Pujara for a well-mended 143 run partnership, for the second wicket.

India dominated all three sessions, taking Lunch on 108 for one wicket, and enjoying the tea break on 199 for 1 wicket, and ending the day on 270 for 3 wickets, Kholi on 22 and Jadeja on 9 looks good reading from an Indian perspective.

What will day 4 offer at the Oval? India do have 2 batsmen in Ajinkya Rahane and Rishab Pant in the bank, and if Kholi and Jadeja spend a bit more time at the wickets on day 4, they could bat England out of the game.

The worry is the day 4 pitch, if it aids the English seamers and India lose quick wickets, then the flood gates open for England to cash in.

In conclusion, today is decisive for both teams. Even though the Indian fans feel its tilted more towards an Indian win, the truth is the match is still in the balance.
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