STUMPS – DAY 3
India 297-8 (130.1 ovs) vs England 330
India scored 210 runs for the loss of four wickets in 90.1 overs on the third day. The post-tea session proved to be a game turner as far India was concerned. They did not lose a single wicket in the first two sessions but four wickets after tea.
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Thursday 19 Dec. 2024
In the post tea session, India lost four wickets for 70 runs in 30.1 overs. They were well placed at 269 for four at one stage before Kohli lost his wicket after scoring 103. Jadeja (12), Dhoni (99) and Chawla (1) fell in quick succession in the space of seven overs to give England a slight edge after the third day.
England will be looking to polish off the remaining two wickets early on Day 4 and then look to bat as long as possible. England strike in the final over of the day to cripple India further and seize the initiative somewhat. Chawla was beaten all ends up as Swann got one to spin sharply beating his forward defensive push to bowl him for one.
England took more than 76 overs to get the first wicket of the day but ended the day with three quick wickets, including two in the last two overs of the day.
Meanwhile, India have suffered a big blow minutes before stumps. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is run out for 99. He tried to steal a quick single to the covers but was found short by a whisker.
Just wondering why Dhoni had to take such a big risk two overs before close of play. That wicket will impact India big time as they needed Dhoni’s wicket on Day 4 if they had to go past England and take a sizeable lead.
But Dhonie deserves plaudits for a wonderful knock of 99, having batted for 397 minutes, hitting eight fours and a six during his 246-ball knock.
Virat Kohli now has the most number of centuries in international cricket in 2012 says Mohandas Menon on Twitter. “Most intl 100s in 2012: KOHLI 8, Cook 7, Amla/Dilshan 6, Clarke/Pietersen/Samuels/Sanga 5”
Rajneesh Gupta adds further: “Virat Kohli has now scored most runs in international cricket (Tests / ODIs/ T20Is) in 2012, goes past M Clarke’s tally of 2088.”
BBC’s Jonathan Agnew writes: “Can’t imagine Kohli has celebrated a 100 quite like that before. Magnificent innings. 289 balls. Like Dhoni, massive concentration.”
Simon Wilde of the Times believes Kohli is the man to captain India next. “Kohli reaches a terrific hundred. He needed that. It only confirms that he is the man who should lead India next.”
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle: “that is as good a hundred as any you will see. given recent scores virat will remember this a long time. can be very proud of it.”
Ayaz Memom: “Virat breaks lean spell in style. The Adelaide century i consider better for quality of batting but the pressure in this innings greater.”
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