India come back strongly on third day

The day’s pendulum started in England’s favour but not much as they could add just four runs to their overnight score of 281. India then started off on the right note; openers Mane and Gautam Gambhir putting up 58 runs for the first wicket before Gambhir was trapped leg before by Kyle Hogg.Mane, who scored 93, was twice the beneficiary of the slippery fingers of the English fielders. He was first dropped by Panesar at mid-on, a straight dolly of an overhead catch, off Ian Pattison’s bowling. Pattison was again the victim of his fielders’ lethargy when Ishan Ganda was dropped by Nicky Peng at backward point and Mane got a lifer the next ball when an induced edge went straight to Ian Bell at first slip. Mane made the most of the opportunities as India went into lunch at a commanding position of 127 for one.

Pattison, however, was not to be denied his rewards as he came back to run through the top order with three quick wickets. From 128 for one, India seemed to have lost the initiative at 186 for five. Alind Naidu, who was the most exciting player of the match, faltered to deceive with 30 runs. Mane rode on his luck to execute some exquisite cover drives, bisecting fielders with the precision of a surgeon. It was shocking to see umpire SK Sharma judge him out when Hogg took a low diving catch but on the bounce off Pattison’s bowling. A reluctant Mane had to leave after a brief pause when he saw no signs from the umpire referring to the square-leg umpire, Sameer Bandekar, for confirmation.India had to thank Ratra and Kashinath Khadkikar, who fashioned the all important sixth wicket valuable liaison of 141 runs, to bring them back into contention. Both batsmen going strong, it was Robert Ferley’s offspinners that got the break throughs that England needed so badly. Taking a stinging return catch aimed at his face to dismiss Khadkikar, Ferley foxed Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan for a mistimed lofted shot to Kadeer Ali. 16 runs later McGarry came back for his second spell to account for the dangerous-looking Ratra and later Mulewa Dharmichand but not before the latter chipping in with 26 more invaluable runs. Despite the good effort, Indian coach Roger Binny was not happy with the pace of the innings. “We had aimed for 320 at around the tea break so that we could really launch into an attack for one hour before putting them in,” said the coach later. With a tempting target in front, England will be in two minds whether to save the match or go for the kill. But one thing is for sure, we have a game onour hands and the morrow beholds the prospect of a good day of cricket.

SCORECARD India 257 and (2nd innings)
G Gambhir lbw K Hogg 29
V Mane c Hogg b Pattison 93
I Ganda c Peng b Pattison 19
G Rao c & b Pattison 2
A Naidu c Bell b Hogg 30
K Khadkikar c & b Ferley 65
A Ratra c Wallace b McGarry 94
V Sivaramakrishnan c Kadeer Ali b Ferley 2
M Dharmichand c Bell b McGarry 26
S Trivedi c Pattison b Ferley 7
N Agarwal not out 2
Extras (7 lb, 2 nb) 9
Total (after 83.2 overs) 378
FOW:- 1-58, 2-128, 3-144, 4-153, 5-186, 6-327, 7-329, 8-344, 9-372
Bowling: A McGarry 11-3-49-2 (1nb); J Bishop 11-1-53-0 (1nb); K Hogg 14-1-56-2; I Pattison 10-1-32-3; R Ferley 19.2-1-93-3; M Panesar 15-0-71-0; I Bell 3-0-17-0
ENGLAND 285 and (2nd Innings)
G Pratt not out 3
N Peng not out 0
Total (after 1 over) 3 for no loss
Bowling: Vidyut S 1-0-3-0