Ton-up Kohli piles on the agony for England
- by Cecil Buchanan
- in Sports
- — Aug 22, 2018
However India still have the upperhand as England need another 348 runs in their pursuit of 521.
But no side have made more to win in the fourth innings of a Test than the West Indies' 418 for seven against Australia at St John's, Antigua, in 2003. England 1st innings: 161 & 23 for no loss in nine overs (Keaton Jennings 13 not out; Alastair Cook 9 not out).
Earlier, starting at the overnight score of 124 for 2, India had ideal conditions for batting on a humid and warm day and Kohli and Pujara looked to grind and play for time with no hurry whatsoever.
Their chief tormentor was paceman Pandya who took five for 28 in just six overs, the best figures of his test career, including a wicket with his first ball, as England conceded a first-innings deficit of 168.
But Root then fenced an edge to second slip off Bumrah, KL Rahul holding his fifth catch of the match away to his right.
Buttler and Stokes were therefore plunged into the crisis without a run between them, with England perhaps already effectively five down if they decide not to risk Jonny Bairstow's fractured finger, but they dug in impressively.
More news: Drake Makes Surprise Visit To Girl In Hospital Waiting For Heart TransplantAn x-ray revealed he had suffered a small fracture to his left middle finger. "It's a huge moment for me", he said. "But to show you can do it for your team is the biggest thing".
That was something of a positive end to a hard day for England, who dropped both Kohli and Pujara and lost wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow to a fractured finger. But the duo ensured that no wicket was lost in the first session.
I haven't scored too many this season.
He was timing the ball sweetly from the first Test itself, and I don't think anyone can play a cover drive like he does, particularly in England.
Skipper Virat Kohli struck his 23rd Test ton, his fourth slowest century coming off 197 balls, to guide India tothe massive score.
Three years ago, in 2014, Virat Kohli managed just 134 runs in the entire Test series against England.
More news: Donald Trump says ‘most likely’ to meet North Korea’s Kim againOn the other hand, England assistant coach Paul Farbrace rued the catches that England have dropped so far in the three Test matches. The TV replays showed that Bumrah had overstepped.
But having got to the landmark, Kohli was out shortly afterwards when he missed a legside flick against all-rounder Woakes and was lbw for 103.
Pandya, now starring with the bat, extended India's lead to 500 with a straight six off leg-spinner Adil Rashid and he had made a run-a-ball 52 not out when Kohli finally called a halt. But I also hope Root has learned something from watching him bat, because you'd never know if Kohli was on 27 or 87.
Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara admitted that he was under pressure to score runs and credited his county stints for providing him the confidence to bat in English conditions and overturn his poor form during the third Test here.
At lunch, Jos Buttler (19 batting) and Ben Stokes (3 batting) were the unbeaten batsmen.
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