England was rewarded with four late wickets on the third day of the Nagpur Test after a determined batting display by India captain MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
The pair shared a 198-run partnership with Kohli scoring the third Test century of his career before Graeme Swann trapped him leg-before for 103. Dhoni was just one run short of a registering his own century when he was caught short by an Alastair Cook throw from mid-off. Dhoni became the first international captain to be run out on 99 in a Test match.
The wickets of Ravindra Jadeja and Piyush Chawla also fell in quick succession as the hosts ended the day on 297 for eight, 33 runs behind England.
According to Sky Sports, England top-order batsman Jonathan Trott said he was delighted that his team’s patience paid off.
“They [Kohli and Dhoni] played unbelievably well for five hours, and credit to them for that,” said Trott. “But we stuck to our guns, kept the pressure on them and eventually we got a breakthrough and were able to push on.
“It changes things massively. It’s a credit to the guys for sticking it out for five hours, not getting a wicket, and then coming back into the game and evening it out.”
The late dismissals put an end to India’s hopes of pressing on for quick runs today and renewed the tourists’ chances of edging closer to a series win.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2012.
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