Wow. Just wow. When the game started yesterday, nobody and I will say nobody would have predicted what's to happen tomorrow. England won the toss, selected to bat and were dismissed for 112 as Spin bowling did the damage, then India came out to bat and finished the day 13 runs behind England at 99/3. Today Extraordinarily 17 wickets fell as spin bowling once again proved to the damage dealer for both India and England.
At the start of the day,some sensible Batting was seen as India soon took the lead with the score at 113/3 and then lighting strucked again. Jack Leach got two quick wickets of both Rahane and Sharma and soon India were down to 115/5. Sharma scored a brillant 66 run knock.
However the headline grabber in the second innings was England Captain Joe Root. Known for his great batting skills he decided to bowl himself. This was not the first time he was bowling as a part timer.
In an instant he not only strucked once or twice but thrice as he got the better of Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel picking up three quick wickets without giving away a run as India were soon hanging by a threat at 125/8.
He picked up the last two wickets as well as he finished with an outstanding figures of 5-8 in 6.2 overs as India were dismissed for 145 in 53.2 overs with a lead of 33 runs.
It was evident that the pitch was favouring the spinners. Yesterday's star man Axar Patel picked up yet another 5fer whereas his spin partner Ravichandran Ashwin picked up 4 with the third spinner Washington Sundar who picked up the last wicket in just his first over of the entire game as England were bowled out for mere 81 in 30.4 overs.
The target setted up for India was of 49 runs as England has regained a lead of 48 runs. With two over still to go before the Dinner break, Indian Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill made it clear that they want to finish it as quick as possible. They duo added 11 runs in the first two overs before going to bat after a 40 minute dinner break to finish the game off in 7.4 overs scoring 49 and remaining Unbeaten as India won by 10 Wickets.
With this win, India cannot lose the series now and another win or a draw in the last test match would be enough for qualification for the World Test Championship. England with this loss cannot qualify now but can give a helping hand to Ashes rival Australia if they win the last match and draw the series 2-2.
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