KOHLI, RAHANE LEAD RESCUE IN 3RD TEST
For the first time in series, visitors cross 300mark to end Day One at 3076
NOTTINGHAM: Down and out arriving at Trent Bridge, there was fear India’s batsmen could be rolled over by England, 2-0 up in the series after the crushing innings defeat handed out in perfect seaming conditions at Lord’s.
However, the visitors, led by skipper Virat Kohli again, showed great resilience as a batting unit despite previous failures gnawing at their confidence.
They finished on a solid 307/6 at stumps on the first day on Saturday with debutant Rishabh Pant 22 not out and promising much more. India’s lower order will look to add useful runs though the second new ball is only a few overs old.
Kohli fell for 97, a cruel dismissal short of his second century of the series and 23rd overall after leading a brilliant fightback with Ajinkya Rahane, who made 81 after being dropped on 57. Their 159-run partnership would be the launch pad if India push on and put England under pressure.
Kohli had goaded the batsmen not to clutter their mind with negativity, and as a unit, they applied themselves. The batsmen showed intent, ran sharply between wickets but still scored well.
Shikhar Dhawan, recalled in place of Murali Vija, scored 35 and raised 60 with KL Rahul (23), India’s best opening partnership of the series. They saw off Anderson and Broad, and although Chris Woakes got the ball to wobble and removed them, his third scalp before lunch was the only reckless moment for India.
Cheteshwar Pujara uncharacteristically hooked, leaving Kohli disbelieving at the other end, down the throat of Adil Rashid at long leg. At 82/3, India stared at another batting collapse.
But Kohli was a picture of calm and rotated the strike superbly with Rahane, letting his deputy to settle down. The pair ensured India added 107 runs between lunch and tea.
Rahane, like he did when set in the Lord’s Test, was sucked into driving a wide ball from Broad, Alastair Cook at first slip taking a reflex, one-handed catch.
Kohli’s batting has been at a different level, until he was sucked into nicking Rashid’s flighted leg-break to slip while looking for the boundary to get to his century.