Jaiswal ton puts India in total command against England as lead swells to 322 runs

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his second hundred of the series as India took complete control of the third test against England on Day 3 on Saturday.

Jaiswal hit 104 before retiring hurt with back spasms as India piled up 196-2 in its second innings. Shubman Gill was unbeaten on 65 at stumps, with Kuldeep Yadav 3 not out.

Earlier, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj took 4-84 to help bowl out England for 319, surrendering a first-innings lead of 126 to India.

The hosts were missing off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who picked up his 500th test wicket on Friday. He flew home to Chennai because of a family medical emergency and is unavailable for the remainder of the test.

The rules do not allow for a replacement player, unless there is a concussion or a COVID-19 case, so India will be down to 10 batters.

Despite Ashwin's absence, India claimed three wickets in the morning session as England reached 290-5 at lunch.

Joe Root was caught at second slip for 18 attempting his signature reverse ramp stroke off Jasprit Bumrah. The experienced batter appeared visibly upset at his poor shot selection.

Jonny Bairstow went lbw for a four-ball duck to Yadav. The Englishman reviewed the decision but it stayed in India’s favor.

Ben Duckett added 20 runs to his overnight score before he hit a delivery straight to cover. His brilliant 153 came off 151 balls and included 23 fours and two sixes.

The touring side then collapsed, losing its last five wickets for just 20 runs.

Skipper Ben Stokes was caught off Ravindra Jadeja at midwicket for 41.

Ben Foakes was caught at mid-on for 13 at the start of Siraj’s next over.

Jadeja had Tom Hartley stumped for nine, while Siraj bowled Rehan Ahmed (6) and James Anderson (1).

Jaiswal then took centre stage. The opening batter, who struck a maiden double hundred in the second test at Visakhapatnam, followed up with a 122-ball century.

It was his third hundred in tests. He faced 133 deliveries in all, hitting nine fours and five sixes.

India was 44-1 at tea, having lost skipper Rohit Sharma lbw to Root for 19.

Post the break, Jaiswal and Gill shared a stand of 155 for the second wicket as India took charge.

Jaiswal clubbed Hartley over long-on twice in succession. Gill batted sedately by comparison, facing 120 deliveries in all, though he reached his 50 with a six over square leg off Mark Wood.

Shortly before stumps, Jaiswal complained of a back condition and walked off the field. The break in play helped England as Rajat Patidar was out for a 10-ball duck, caught at short midwicket off Hartley.

The five-match series is level at 1-1. India won the second test by 106 runs after England beat the hosts by 28 runs in the opener.

Associated Presse