The Indian cricket team, on Day 3 of the ongoing Test against England, exposed their batting frailties not seen for long in a home Test and more so at the Chepauk stadium in Chennai which has been a fortress since 1999.
Tail-enders Jack Leach and Dominic Bess started the day for England at 555 for 8, before the visitors were bowled all out for 578 within 11 overs of the first session. With 190.1 overs at the crease, England registered the longest first innings in Test cricket since South Africa’s 190.4 overs against India in 2004/05.
When India came out to bat, the pressure levels were at a point where the hosts couldn’t afford to lose early wickets. However, their worst fears came true after openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill fell within the first 10 overs.
Team India captain Virat Kohli’s dismissal at Dom Bess’s hands kickstarted the downfall of the top-order setup and put the hosts in a state of an emergency.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant, however, revived the batting for Team India with scores of 73 and 91. Pant, in particular, earned plaudits for changing the face of the game on Day 3.
A thought right now - can this 90+ score of Rishabh Pant qualify for criticism for the manner and timing of its end? The previous ones changed the face of the game.
— S. Sudarshanan (@Sudarshanan7) February 7, 2021
There was absolutely no need of that adventurous hit. Should have probably played the situation better. #INDvENG
Team India managed to end Day 3 at 257 for six, with Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin at the crease, but they will enter Day 4 with the intention of putting up a minimum score of 300-plus.
Former players and cricket fans took to Twitter to signal out the significance of Rishabh Pant’s innings, while also talking about how Team India's batting failed to make a statement on a beleaguered day in office:
The high and lows of Pant, he will change a game on its head but in doing so will miss out on the odd personal milestone. Need players like that in your lineup. That's a good days entertainment. #INDvENG #cricket
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) February 7, 2021
Setting all things aside, Rishabh Pant got 91 today. Following up on scores of 89* 23 & 97 before this. 89* being a great Test match innings.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 7, 2021
So that’s 👍👍👍to Rishabh Pant the batsman. #INDvENG
Scoring rate of India
— sanjay18 🇮🇳 (@141Adelaide) February 7, 2021
Before pant's arrival 2.75
While Pant batting 5.1
After Pant dismissal 1.38
PANT 🔥🔥 #INDvENG
Strap yourselves in !!! @RishabhPant17 is very lively driver !! #INDvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 7, 2021
Was brilliant while it lasted from Pant. Always tougher lofting the off-spinner unlike against the left handed Leach who he was hitting for sixes for fun
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 7, 2021
Utterly appalling batting display from India today.
— Pravir Singh (@Pravir21) February 7, 2021
England have been good but not one of the 6 wickets fell to an exceptional delivery.
Pujara the only one you can't fault.
The rest gift wrapped their wickets. Mir Jafar would be proud of this meek surrender. #INDvENG
So India's Best Top 6 Batsmen Can't Even score 250 All Together.
— Mohd Aftab Alam (@MohdAft87967953) February 7, 2021
This is What Happens if you underestimate Other Teams , They Outplayed Us Both in Batting And Bowling 😭 #INDvENG
Root teasing Kohli with his Batting
— Troll Babar Trollers (@Outside_Edge) February 7, 2021
Root teasing Rohit with his fielding
England teasing India totally. #INDvsENG #Cricket
Feature Image Courtesy: Twitter / BCCI
