Team India is in the commanding position with a lead of over 400 runs on Day 4 of the ongoing third Test at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Sunday, February 18.
India resumed their innings at 196/2 in 51 overs on the board, with Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav batting on 62 and 1, respectively. The pair steadied hosts' ship in the first hour of the opening session as they took the team past 300-run lead.
Kuldeep Yadav displayed his confidence while batting as he smashed his first international six off Tom Hartley's delivery in the 54th over of India's batting. His six left everyone in awe and also received applause from the dressing room.
Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav frustrated England bowlers with their batting as the pair kept scoreboard ticking and increasing India's lead after bowlers bundled out visitors for 319 in the first innings.
Shubman Gill misses out on a century
Shubman Gill looked good touch throughout Day 3 as well as in the first session of Day 4. The right-handed was set for the second consecutive century of the series but he fell just nine runs of completing the century due to mix-up with Kuldeep Yadav
Shubman Gill was on 91 at non-striker's end when Kuldeep hit the towards mid-on. The latter ran few steps before backing out for a quick single. Gill almost reached the middle of the pitch but too late to go back as Tom Hartley whipped the bails off.
Following a nine-ball duck in the first innings, Shubman Gill redeemed himself with his impressive batting in the second innings but the right-handed batter was disappointed for failing to convert his 90s into a century.
In the Vizag Test, Shubman Gill managed to silence his critics with a brilliant innings of 104 off 147 balls to help India set a hefty target of 399 for England to chase.
Yashasvi Jaiswal takes England bowlers to cleaners
Yashasvi Jaiswal returned to batting after he was walked out after suffering back spasms on Day 3 of the Rajkot Test. Jaiswal was looking to form a good partnership with Kuldeep Yadav until the latter was dismissed by Rehan Ahmed for 27.
Thereafter, Yashasvi Jaiswal was joined by Sarfaraz Khan in the middle to carry on India's batting. Jaiswal is free of back spasms as he took on England bowling attack. Even Sarfaraz played few knocks to take India's 400-run lead.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan ensured no further fall of wickets as India posted a total of 314/4 in 82 overs at the end of first session. Jaiswal unbeaten at 149 while Sarfaraz scored 21.
For England, Rehan Ahmed, Joe Root and Tom Hartley picked a wicket each.
