Pacer Mohammed Siraj emerged as the star performer for India as the hosts bundled out England for 319 in the first innings on Day 3 of the ongoing third Test at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Saturday, February 17.
The second session began with England at 290/5, Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes batting on 39 and 6. After lunch, the visitors' batting began to crumble. Skipper Stokes, who looked in good touch during the first session, was removed by Ravindra Jadeja for 39 at 299/6.
Thereafter, England lost another wicket in quick succession in Ben Foakes, dismissed by Mohammed Siraj for 13 at 299/7. After Foakes's dismissal, Tom Hartley was joined by Rehan Ahmed in the middle with the hope of steading England's batting.
Since Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed are handy with the bat, England were hoping for a decent partnership from them. However, Siraj was brought into attack in the 70th over and bowled out Ahmed for 6 at 314/8.
Then, Tom Hartley was walked out back to the pavilion after he was removed by Jadeja for 9 at 314/9. England's first innings eventually come to an end after Mohammed Siraj picked the final wicket by bowling out James Anderson with a yorker for 1 at 319 all-out.
Indian bowlers dominated the second session as they reduced England were 290/5 to 319/10, taking remaining five wickets in 29 runs in the first innings.
Mohammed Siraj shines with 4-wicket haul
Mohammed Siraj led the India's bowling attack with four-wicket in the hosts' first innings bowling. On Day 2, Siraj picked the crucial wicket of Ollie Pope by trapping him with LBW to break England's 93-run partnership for the second wicket at 182/2.
On the following day, Siraj picked the wickets of Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed and James Anderson to complete the figures of 4/84 at an economy rate of 4 in 21.1 overs.
Apart from Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja (2/51) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/77) contributed to India's bowling with two wickets in the first innings.
Indian bowlers were undeterred by the absence of Ravichandran Ashwin, who had to withdrew from the squad effective immediately reportedly due to his mother Chitra's hospitalization in Chennai.
India to begin second innings with 126-run lead
Team India will assume their second innings with a lead of 126 runs after bundling out England for 319. In the first innings, the hosts posted a total of 445 in 130.5 overs.
India were reeling at 33/3 but Rohit Sharma (131) and Ravindra Jadeja (112) bailed the hosts from a shambolic situation with a 204-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Ravichandran Ashwin (37) and Dhruv Jurel's (46) 77-run stand was crucial for India as it took the team past 400-run mark.
With over 100 runs lead, India will be aiming to extend the lead and set a hefty target for England to chase. Opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Rohit Sharma will take charge of India's innings before the end of second session.
