After being shot out for 78 on Day 1 and chasing leather on Day 2, India put up an improved show on Day 3 of the Leeds Test. They finished the day on 215/2, with Cheteshwar Pujara on 91 and Virat Kohli on 45. With two days left, India need another 139 to save the innings defeat. It is a long way ahead, but they have taken the first step.
In the morning, Indian bowlers took just 20 balls to capture the last two English wickets. Mohammed Shami (4-95) claimed his fourth wicket of the innings when he got Craig Overton plumb in front. A review did not help Overton. Jasprit Bumrah (2-59) then dismissed Ollie Robinson to finish the English first innings for 432.
The Indian openers began cautiously, adding just 16 runs in the first 10 overs. K.L. Rahul managed to overturn an LBW with a referral. Rohit Sharma looked the more confident of the two; he even hit a six off Robinson over the slips.
Just when it seemed that the duo would survive the first session, Rahul edged Overton. Jonny Bairstow dived in front of Joe Root to take a brilliant one-handed catch at second slip. Lunch was taken at that moment. India were 34/1.
Pujara joined Rohit after lunch. He started with three fours off the first 10 balls he faced, seizing advantage of rare lapse in line from James Anderson and Overton, who tried to bowl too much on the stumps at this point. India added 78 in the second session without losing a wicket, as Rohit brought up a fifty.
Pujara started the post-tea session with a boundary second ball, but India lost Rohit to Robinson next over. The review confirmed the umpire’s call.
Pujara soon hit a four through square leg to register his first fifty of the series. Kohli began quietly before opening up with a flick past square leg and a flowing drive through extra cover in the same over from Anderson.
As the light deteriorated, Root used himself and Moeen Ali for 11 overs. By then both batters were set, and they got quick runs to take India to 215/2 in 80 overs. They walked off the moment for bad light the moment Root claimed the second new ball.
Brief scores: India 78 (Rohit Sharma 19; James Anderson 3-6) and 215/2 (Cheteshwar Pujara 91*; Craig Overton 1-35) trail England 432 (Joe Root 121; Mohammed Shami 4-95) by 139 runs.