India vs England first test day Three: Performer of the day
Dec 13, 2017 at 1:43 PM
India resumed their innings on the third day on an overnight score of 63/0.
It wasn’t a good start for the Indian team as Stuart broad struck early and dismissed Gambhir lbw.
Walked in the local boy Cheteshwar Pujara who knew the pitch better than anybody else.
He was coming in with a back of some good form against the New Zealand.
Pujara looked positive with his approach and started scoring runs with a good strike rate.
He got some quick boundaries for India and Showed hopes of a good innings. Murali Vijay on the other end was Comfortable Leaving the balls outside off,knocking few singles.
He did go after Moeen Ali for few sixes down the pitch but otherwise was comfortable just knocking around.
Soon he got to his fifty which was followed by a fifty from Pujara who was scored it quickly enough.
Coming down the track he tackled the spinners with ease.Both Looked settled out there at the stroke of lunch.
After play resumed both players got in a groove and looked very comfortable nurdling the ball around.
Vijay was so calm out there the commentators gave him a nickname ‘the Monk’.
Well, he did look that composed out there. But was still hitting that occasional six dancing down the track.
Their Partnership soon crossed the 100-run mark. The England bowlers looked Frustrated out there,Broad did create A chance for them as Hammed dropped Murali Vijay and he looked the most frustrated man out there.
What made things worst was the overturned decision of Pujara’s wicket as he went for DRS after given out by the on-field Umpire!
As he entered the 90s, the crowd got behind him cheering and waiting.
But Pujara made them wait longer as he remained on 99 at tea.
As play resumed after tea,Pujara completed his century and there was very well appreciated by the crowd.
His family too was present there who were looking the happiest among all.
Soon Murali Vijay got to his hundred, a much-needed one for him.He played a very Important knock today.
Though his strike rate was on the lower side, he made sure that he doesn’t throw his wicket away.
Soon the duo completed their 200 partnership. Both batted brilliantly the whole day and made sure India give a strong answer to England.
But unfortunately for Pujara who was gearing up for a big innings edged one to Cook and the skipper made no mistake.
The partnership was finally broken after 67 overs and after adding 209 runs.
Murali Vijay continued his innings until he lost some concentration and nudged one to Hameed who grabbed it this time
.
Unlucky for him but he did play a very special innings, hanging in there tiring the England bowlers.
Actually, both players were performers of the day but need to give more credit to Vijay as he batted for the stumps and longer time.
At the end of the day, India are at 319/4.