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After getting outplayed on the first two days of the ongoing third Test against England, Team India bounced back on Day 3. The visitors picked up England’s remaining two wickets quite early to bundle out the hosts for 432 runs, conceding a lead of 354 runs.
India lost opener KL Rahul early, but Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara showcased exceptional defensive skills to stand tall against England’s bowling in cloudy conditions. Rohit smashed a classy half-century and looked set to cruise through, but an inswinger from Ollie Robinson ended his innings for 59 runs.
After Rohit’s dismissal, Pujara and Indian captain Virat Kohli steadied the innings and added crucial runs in the final session to reduce the deficit. Pujara scored his second fifty of the series and kept the scoreboard ticking. The pair took India to 215/2 after 80 ove𒈔rs, still trailing by 139 runs, with Pujara batting on 91 and Kohli on 45, not out. The duo has put together an unbeaten stand of 99 runs for the third wicket.
For England, Robinson picked up a wicket for 40 runs in 18 overs with 4 maidens. Similarly, Craig Overton bagged a scalp for 35 runs in 1🥂7 overs, including six maidens๊.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Delighted for . How well he has played!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Mental fortitude at its best ❤️
— DK (@DineshKarthik)
After rather two difficult days, a very 𝐆good day for India at ♛Leeds today.
A valiant display of mඣental strength and grit from Pujara , a solid start෴ from and looking very very good as well. Looking forward to an exciting day tomorrow.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Proper day of Test Cricket .. 👍👍
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
Confident booster inning fr🃏om and the way has started leaving the ball outside the off,seems like big one is jus💫t around the corner
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Cheteshwar Pujara today 91 not out at the close of play.
Only once before in his Test career, he was overnight unbeaten in the 90s.
Was on 98* also against England at Ahmedabad in Nov 2012
The next day he reached 206*— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman)
Excellent to see the fight. Most assured and have looked all series. England will have the new ball i꧟n the morning and it could be a very critical first two hours of play. Also was excellent. He has been the most assured all series.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar)
🏟️🏏 STUMPS, DAY 3 ~ It was delightful to watch Cheteshwar Pujara and our skipper, Virat Kohli, continue the assault against the English bowlers. They have♛🌱 hardly set a foot wrong today 😎
📷 Getty •
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy)
Pujara goes to his first fifty of the series with a pull for four off Overton. It's taken 91 balls – spritely, by his standards. A second important second-innings contribution in a row.
— Husky Trades (@Huskky_Trades)
A strong fightback from India on day 💎three as they close 215 for 2 with Cheteshwar Pujara 91 not out alongside Virat Kohli on 45*. Rohit Sharma earlier made a hard-fought 59 👏
— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC)
Bไest Pujara and Kohli have batted this series so far. Assured in defence, also scoring runs at every opportunity. Of course, very long way still to safety still. First priority is to see through the day
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
3rd Test, Day 3: STUMPS
Despite still trailing by 139, the last 2 sessions of today belonged to thanks to Rohit, Pujara and ಞKohli.
Hopefully the same form and m♉omentum will continue tomorrow as well! 🤞🏻
🇮🇳: 215/2
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers)
Multiple pats on the back, slaps to the hand from Virat Kohli and the entire dressing-room🅷 on th♊eir feet with big smiles tells you this knock of Pujara’s meant as much to the Indian team as it did to him
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)
//twitterꩲ.com/benjonescricket/status/1431304542986067969
India came ready for battle today! What a day! What a fight! Pujara and Kohli partnership looking good thus far. Puji playing long, as India needs and💙 he’s bringing up the runs. Rohit played awesome earlier. How good’s Test cricket? See yas tomorrow 😄
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB)
Well done Pu🍬jara, and skip. Long way to go but the fight is there to see. More of it tomorrow please.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh)
Root's shoulders down. I had warned them before the day. End of England's hopes coming tomorrow.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer)
Day of Pujara, highest score in Tests since 2019 Jan – India under pressure and Pujara stands tall – 91* runs from 180 balls including 15 fours. Important day 4 awaits for Pujara.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Excellent 99* partnership ꩲbetween Pujara (91*) & Kohli (45*) as India end a good day on 215-2, trailing by 139
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA)