The last time India took first innings leads in excess of 100 in each of the first three Tests of a home series was against Sri Lanka in 1993/94 (293, 310 & 239). They’ve got to score lots of runs in the second essay because the pitch is a belter and England have developed a reputation for going after the targets in the fourth innings no matter how tall they are.
India have a golden opportunity to well and truly run away with the game if they bat long, and they’re sitting pretty at the moment, having crossed 100 at the cost of just a single wicket. The lbw appeal against Rohit Sharma looked very close to the naked eye and the review earned England the important wicket. Joel Wilson’s expression is not decipherable under those dark sunglasses, but he has got another umpiring decision wrong in the Rajkot Test.
Earlier, India were simply outstanding with the ball and in the field today and the circumstances of this performance made it even more impressive. They were down in the dumps last evening after taking a shellacking from Ben Duckett and were staring at a long toil. That didn’t come to pass though because India, despite being handicapped by the withdrawal of R Ashwin, turned up today with an inspired bowling effort. The visitors were sent packing for just 319 after being 224/2 at one stage earlier today.
Joe Root gets the opening wicket against India 💥
DRS ✅#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/q6sjNTyZav
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) February 17, 2024
