Four is a necessity, five is a luxury. That’s been conventionally the case with India’s bowling attack, especially while playing at home. In the absence of one of the five — the 500-wicket man R. Ashwin who had to fly back home midway through the game due to a family medical emergency — the other four shouldered the burden.
Promising opener Yashasvi Jaiswal then opened his shoulders with panache to virtually bat England out of the game. On a day that was dominated by India all through the day, India had England on the mat at the end of the third day’s play at the Niranjan Shah Stadium.
Riding on the bowling quartet’s magic, led by Mohammed Siraj’s best bowling figures at home, India folded England’s first essay for 319, with the visitors managing to add 112 runs for the loss of eight wickets to their overnight total. Riding on Jaiswal and Shubman Gill jam before the opener had to retire due to backache, India finished the day at 196 for two. With a hefty lead of 322, India will hope to set a gargantuan target.
