England sniffing victory, thanks to KP and Monty

For the first time in 8 days of cricket in India, England looked to be in front as Day 3 dawned upon us. England ended the day on top as well, sniffing a victory, thanks mainly to Kevin Pietersen’s brilliance and their spin duo of Panesar and Swann.

First Session started with both Cook and KP inching closer to their centuries. Indian bowling looked largely ineffective and inconsistent. Cook was prodding patiently and KP looked in audacious touch. Cook reached the milestone first, with a drive through wide mid-off, off Harbhajan Singh. This century was his 4th in 4 tests as captain, the only player to have done that.

KP reached his ton in Harbhajan’s next over with a reverse sweep. India even tried the option of Yuvraj Singh against KP, but KP was in his zone today. The breakthrough finally came through a lovely flighted delivery from Ashwin. It caught the edge of Cook’s bat, and he was gone for 122. Bairstow came in next, and the new ball was taken. KP kept going on till lunch, but Bairstow couldn’t last the distance. He was gone for 9 just at the stroke of lunch as Gambhir took a smart catch at silly point. At lunch, England were 298-4, with KP unbeaten on 138*.

Post Lunch Session started off with Samit Patel joining KP. Patel was tested with some short stuff from Zaheer, without much damage though. KP was at his belligerent best and reached his 150 with a four and six off consecutive balls of Ojha. Samit Patel was having a few nervy moments against the spinners. Ojha finally found Patel’s edge, as Kohli caught him at gully for 26. Next in was the man in form, Matt Prior. India were looking to tighten the noose. And tighten they did, with Ojha picking up his 5th wicket as he had KP caught behind for 186. This innings would easily rank among KP’s best.

Broad joined Prior and with the lead at 56, India looked to wrap up the innings quickly. The alliance didn’t last long, as Prior was needlessly run-out for 21. Swann joined Broad but the partnership lasted just 3 balls, as Pujara pulled of a blinder at silly point to dismiss Broad for 6 and Harbhajan finally got his first wicket. Anderson came in and went in a jiffy as Bhajji caught his pads in front of the stumps. Next man in was Panesar. He struck a boundary and was dismissed the very next ball for 4 with Ashwin getting his second wicket. England were all out for 413, with a healthy lead of 86 runs. Early tea was taken.

The Final Session of the day got more cheers for the visitors. India would have hoped for Sehwag to chop the deficit away. Panesar had different ideas though as he had Sehwag caught at slips by Swann after scoring just 9. Swann then took matters into his own hand, and removed the man who has been the biggest thorn in England’s flesh. Pujara was gone for 5, to a smart catch from Bairstow at short leg. Sachin came in next and did not last long either. Panesar got his second victim as he caught Sachin plumb in front of the stumps. India were reeling at 56/3 and England’s spin twins were all over the Indian batsmen. Up next, Kohli made a huge blunder of gifting England his wicket, as he knocked a full toss from Swann straight down mid-off’s throat. Comeback man Yuvraj Singh also failed in his trial by spin and was gone for 8, as Bairstow took a much easier chance this time off Panesar. The captain walked in next, with an extremely difficult task ahead. He, along with Gambhir, managed to erase the deficit.

However, Panesar’s dream match continued as Dhoni nicked one to first slip for 6. Dhoni’s demand for a turning track was clearly backfiring. Ashwin was in next, and India were hoping for yet another rearguard innings from him. Gambhir meanwhile was playing an invaluable innings at the other end through all the carnage. Ashwin tried to break the shackles with some lofty hits but holed out to cover, trying to attempt a big hit off Panesar. Ashwin made 10, and Panesar completed his 5-wicket haul, his 2nd of the match. Harbhajan walked in for the last over of the day as Gambhir reached his well-crafted half-century with a backfoot drive off Swann. India eventually finished the day on 117/7, with a lead of 31 runs.

England will be looking to wrap up things in the morning session tomorrow. India will be hoping for Gambhir and Harbhajan to extend the lead to around 125-150 runs, and hope for the spin trio to cast their wizardry on the English batsmen.