India 98/3 at stumps on day three, lead England by 298 runs
VISAKHAPATNAM: India put themselves into a reasonably good position of strength after the third day of the second Test against England at the YSR ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium here on Saturday.
At close of play, skipper Virat Kohli (56, 70 balls) and Ajinkya Rahane (22, 54 balls) were batting as the hosts reached 98 for three in 34 overs. India did not enforce the follow-on and now have a total lead of 298 runs.
Resuming from their overnight total of 103 for five, England finished their first innings at 255 from 102.5 overs. R Ashwin cleaned up the tail, with figures of five for 67, and gave India a first innings lead of 200 runs.
India were the dominant force on the second day and they even threatened to bowl England out quickly on the third day. However, the morning saw some resistance from Ben Stokes (70, 157 balls) and Jonny Bairstow (53, 152 balls). The two played a patient and measured innings and gave some respectability to the England total. Adil Rashid (32 not out, 73 balls) contributed a bit too.
On Saturday, bowling changes were made but the England batsmen kept taking the singles and got the occasional boundary. There was a little assistance from the pitch but nothing to seriously inconvenience England.
India were quite good with their fielding on Saturday. Despite that, Bairstow and Stokes found ways to score.