England had run away with the game after the conclusion of day two at Headingley. Team India was already fighting the battle which was already lost after they conceded 354 runs at the halfway mark of the Test.
Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah removed the remaining two wickets of the England innings. Now it was the turn of the England pacers to replicate their first innings’ effort once again. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma came out to bat with the determination of not repeating the mistakes they did in the first innings.
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Rahul survived several close calls in the first spell and just when it looked that he has weathered the storm, he fell at the stroke of lunch. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma took the charge from thereon. Both batsmen played their shots and managed to take India without any further damage to the tea break.
In the process, Rohit had scored his fifty but fell just after the break to Ollie Robinson. Meanwhile, Pujara was batting with a quick strike rate and was looking threatening. Virat Kohli joined Pujara and both batsmen denied England bowlers to throw their wickets away.
India’s number three announced his return of form with his first fifty in 13 Test innings. Kohli also played his strokes without any hesitation and looked comfortable while batting in the middle.
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Both players scored runs at a fine pace and took India past 200 before the stumps. Bad lights forced an early stumps when India were 215/2 in 80 overs while they still trail by 139 runs. Pujara is batting on 91 while Kohli partnering him at 45.
England will take the new ball at the start of day four in Leeds. It will be interesting to see how things unfold on day four.
See how Twitter reacted to this game;
After rather two difficult days, a very good day for India at Leeds today.
A valiant display of mental strength and grit from @cheteshwar1 Pujara , a solid start from @ImRo45 and @imVkohli looking very very good as well. Looking forward to an exciting day tomorrow.#IndvsEng pic.twitter.com/PnMex5VcpR
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 27, 2021
Cheteshwar Pujara today 91 not out at the close of play.
Only once before in his Test career, he was overnight unbeaten in the 90s.
Was on 98* also against England at Ahmedabad in Nov 2012
The next day he reached 206*#ENGvIND #EngvsInd#IndvEng #IndvsEng— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 27, 2021
From being lucky to really unlucky. Whatever it is he has played very well. Deserves more @ImRo45
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) August 27, 2021
He’s had a few anxious moments, but this has been a splendid half century by #RohitSharma : mature, responsible, skilful and including some lovely front of the wicket drives
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 27, 2021
Jarvo back again. Last match he was on the field as India's 12th man, today he came out to bat for them #ENGvIND #Cricket pic.twitter.com/cGrCUsOWeP
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) August 27, 2021
Has been criticised unfairly at times, but what a vital innings displaying amazing concentration and mental strength from Pujara today. And Rohit Sharma once again proving why he is extra special, adapted brilliantly curbing his natural game. #IndvsEng pic.twitter.com/N7J4sgij7O
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 27, 2021
Much like England in 2019, when they made 67 in the 1st innings, India's 78 was an aberration
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 27, 2021
