Murali Vijay smashed his eight Test hundred to put India in the front seat at lunch on Day 3 of the fourth Test against England at Wankhede. The hosts are standing tall at 247 for two after the first session.
After domineering the last session of Day 2, India made a dismal start, having lost Chesteshwar Pujara on the very second ball of the day. The Saurashtra lad misjudged the line of Jake Ball’s delivery completely, resulting in dislodging of the bails. The dismissal brought smiles back on face of English players.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x54v2ju_pujara_fun
Indian skipper Virat Kohli then along with Vijay did not waste time before freeing their arms. Both played pleasing drives down the ground, middling most of the them. England however stuck to Jake Ball and Ben Stokes early, before handing the red cherry to Moeen Ali.
Without hindering the wickets tally on score-sheet, Moeen was found leaking runs on the other end too. As Murali Vijay was approaching his hundred, captain Virat Kohli was seen happily glancing the bad balls cross the boundary line.
After eluding few deliveries, Vijay brought up his eight Test hundred, though not in the most convincing manner. The crowd and the dressing room gave him a standing ovation and Virat Kohli hugged him in amusement. Alastair Cook along with his team-mates were seen appreciating his feat too.
Adil Rashid, England’s highest wicket-taker (18) in the series so far, entered into the frame and trapped the centurion in-front of stumps. Not to his likeliness, the decision was reviewed and later overturned as the bat was seen touching the ball first before falling onto the pads.
India clearly dominated the first session, as the pair brought up their 100-run partnership too for the third wicket. The hosts ended session, at 247 for two, still trailing behind 153 runs.