A gritty knock by England’s keeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow and few dropped chances handed England some breathing space as they finished the first day of the third Test in Mohali on 268/8 on a day dominated by India’s bowlers.
India’s pacers and spinners combined well as they sent England’s top-order back to the hut with just 87 on the board. However, India failed to make the good start count as Bairstow (89) combined well with the lower order to help the visitors post a decent score at the end of the day’s play.
India, however, did get their man in the final half hour as spinner Jayant Yadav dismissed Bairstow leg-before-wicket 11 runs short of his century. The breakthrough, though, came after nearly two anxious sessions where Bairstow rebuilt England’s innings with help from Jos Butler (43) on a rather dry wicket at the PCA stadium.
England though were aided by some sloppy fielding from the Indians, who have been prone to flooring a few in this series so far. Saturday was no different. England skipper Alastair Cook was dropped twice, once at third slip by Ravindra Jadeja and then by Ravichandran Ashwin at mid-wicket. Fortunately for the home side, Ashwin redeemed himself and had Cook caught behind soon after.
Bairstow, too, got a reprieve, as stand-in keeper Parthiv Patel dropped him off Jayant Yadav towards the fag end of the day. Luck once again favoured India as Bairstow misjudged the turn the very next ball and was trapped in front of the stumps.
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