INDIA SHINE ON DAY ONE
Mohali, Nov. 26: Jonny Bairstow’s composed 89 helped England survive some atrocious top order shot-making and reach 268/8 at close of play on the first day of the third Test against India on Saturday. Alastair Cook won an important toss but the tourists conceded much of the advantage with poor shot selection and could have been in a deeper hole but for India’s poor catching and Bairstow’s dogged resistance. The keeper-batsman featured in 50-plus partnerships with Ben Stokes and the recalled Jos Buttler to revive England, who are 1-0 down in the fivematch series. Adil Rashid was batting on four at stumps with Gareth Batty, replacing the injured Zafar Ansari, yet to open his account. Wary of batting fourth on a spinning track, Cook asked the hosts to
bowl but his top order were unable to vindicate the decision at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.
Paceman Umesh Yadav drew first blood when he got Haseeb Hameed caught for nine at gully with a delivery that kicked up off a length.
Home captain Virat Kohli introduced spin in the 13th over and Jayant Yadav responded by dismissing Joe Root for 15 in his second over.
England’s batting mainstay fluffed a pull shot across the line and was trapped leg-before to a perfectly
innocuous delivery from the off-spinner.
Cook, meanwhile, led a charmed life at the other end with Ravindra Jadeja failing to pouch an edge and Ravichandran Ashwin spilling a sitter. Mohammed Shami was the luckless bowler on both occasions.
Ashwin redeemed himself 10 minutes later with his very first delivery, which Cook edged to wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel. Cook made 27 but his dismissal came from a rash shot chasing a wide delivery. Shami finally tasted success when he bounced out Moeen Ali for 16.