Article Detail

Kolkata Knight Riders

about a year ago

A clinical bowling performance by England ensured Team India were bundled out for 78 runs in the first innings of the third Test match at Headingley in Leeds. In reply, England powered by an unbeaten opening partnership of 120 runs between Rory Burns (52*) and Haseeb Hammed (60*) ended the day with a 42-run lead.

The duo looked in absolute control as they blunted the bowling unit with their assured footwork and stroke-play to propel England in a commanding position.

On a wicket conducive for seam movement, Virat Kohli backed his batting unit to get runs on board and set up the game after winning the toss. However, they were rattled early in the innings as they lost KL Rahul, in the first over of the day to James Anderson. The 39-year-old wreaked havoc by picking the prized wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli to derail the innings.

After tottering at 21/3, the visiting side staged a mini fightback with a 35-run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane for the fourth wicket. However, twin strikes by Ollie Robinson on either side of lunch resulted in India losing half their side with 58 runs on the board.

With runs hard to come, Rohit tried to take on the rising delivery and endured a soft dismissal as his attempted pull ballooned in the hands of short mid-on for 19. Immaculate bowling along with aggressive captaincy resulted in the Indian team losing their last six wickets for 20 runs.

With the game firmly in control of the home team, India will have to produce something magical in order to stage a comeback in this clash.