Virat Kohli and his 2016 just keep on getting better and better. Resuming the day on an unbeaten 147, the maestro from Delhi went on to heap further misery on the English bowlers with the help of Jayant Yadav, as India entered lunch on 579 for 7.
Kohli reached his third double century of the year before the end of the session as he and Yadav added 128 runs in 29 overs without losing a wicket. Their current partnership stands at 215 runs, and is the highest eighth-wicket partnership for India, surpassing Azharuddin and Kumble’s previously shared record of 161.
Yadav, batting on 92, also helped himself to a slice of cricketing history, as he bagged the highest score by an Indian no. 9, surpassing the legendary Farukh Engineer, who previously held the record with 90.
The post-lunch session promises to be interesting, with India almost certain to declare once Yadav reaches his maiden hundred or gets out before reaching that milestone. England, almost having been batted out of the test, will have to play for time now as it would be nigh’ impossible for the visitors to gain a substantial lead in the third innings and again make the hosts bat in order to try and skittle them out.
India lead the five-test series 2-0 and only need to avoid defeat here to clinch the series.
Brief Scores:
India 579/7 (Virat Kohli 212 not out, Murali Vijay 136, Jayant Yadav 92 not out; Joe Root 2/31) lead England 400 by 179 runs
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