India, who have not lost a Test series on home soil since 2012, amassed 436 in their reply to England's first innings 246
But Pope dug his heels in, hitting 17 fours in a 274-minute masterclass to produce arguably his finest knock even though India are confident of going 1-0 up in the five-match series
Rehan Ahmed was keeping Pope company on 16 with England finishing the third day on 316-6, putting them 126 ahead with four wickets in hand
The tourists had risked a defeat inside three days after India, having built a lead of 190, reduced England to 163-5 in their second innings in the second session of the day
England vice-captain Ollie Pope produced an unbeaten 148 but India remained on course for victory in the opening Test at the end of day three at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Saturday
Right then, England leads by 126 runs and will be looking to go past the 200-run mark if they want their bowlers to have a chance to get India all out before that as there are still 2 days left in the Test match. India will be looking to regroup as a bowling side and will be looking to execute the plans better. Day 4 will begin on Sunday at 9.30 am IST (4 am GMT) but you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. Cheers!
Zak Crawley is down for a chat. He says that they are very happy and Ollie Pope played a wonderful knock and a few more runs and it could be a tricky chase. Adds that the process was to play good cricketing shots and on his dismissal he says that Ashwin bowled a good ball and there's nothing he can do about it. Mentions that the lines the bowlers bowled allowed them to go for the reverse sweep more and ends by saying that they would have taken a lead of 100 runs but will now look to add 40-50 more runs.
India finds itself reflecting on missed opportunities and areas for improvement in their performance. While the day witnessed commendable efforts from the Indian bowlers, the team would have aspired for a more productive outcome, both in terms of wickets taken and runs conceded. Throughout the day's play, the Indian bowling unit struggled with consistency, proving to be expensive at times and failing to apply sustained pressure on the English batters. Additionally, lapses in fielding, falling below international standards, compounded India's challenges, with missed opportunities, such as the dropped catch of Ollie Pope by Axar Patel at point, proving costly. Furthermore, the bowlers' inability to maintain pressure and restrict boundaries allowed England to build momentum, posing a significant challenge for India's quest to regain control of the match. Notably, Ravindra Jadeja's uncharacteristic tally of seven no-balls further added to India's woes, highlighting the need for greater discipline and focus in their bowling efforts. With the Test match hanging in the balance, India recognizes the importance of a proactive approach on the field from the onset of play tomorrow. The team will be eager to rectify their shortcomings, striving for improved bowling accuracy, tighter fielding, and enhanced focus to create opportunities and mount a spirited comeback in pursuit of victory.
As the sun sets on the third day of this gripping Test match, the equilibrium of the contest remains delicately poised, with England emerging as the dominant force, posting a formidable total of 316/3 in 77 overs and securing a crucial lead of 126 runs. Today belonged unequivocally to England, who exhibited resilience and determination reminiscent of a champion team. Commencing their resurgence by swiftly dismissing the Indian side in the opening hour, England then showcased their batting prowess, defying the challenges posed by the experienced Indian bowling attack to establish a commanding position in the match. At the forefront of England's resurgence stands Ollie Pope, whose masterful innings of 148 runs off 208 balls epitomizes excellence and grit, currently in support of the promising Rehan Ahmed. With their sights set on extending their lead beyond the 200-run mark, England's performance today stands as a testament to their perseverance and skill.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rehan Ahmed, A single to end and that will be Stumps on Day 4! This is tossed up outside off, Rehan Ahmed gets on the front foot and plays it away through extra cover for a single and England end with 316/6 on Day 4, having a lead on 126 runs in the bag.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rehan Ahmed, Just holds it back a touch and bowls it on off stump, Rehan Ahmed reaches out to defend but gets a bit of an inside edge onto the pads.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rehan Ahmed, Full again and on middle and leg, Rehan Ahmed strides forward to make the block.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rehan Ahmed, Tossed up full around off, Rehan Ahmed blocks it off the front foot.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rehan Ahmed, FOUR! Way too short and put away! This is dragged down over middle stump and turning in, Rehan Ahmed rocks back and pulls it away to deep square leg for a boundary.
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Ravichandran Ashwin to Rehan Ahmed, Ravichandran Ashwin comes in to bowl the final over of the day and starts with a flighted one around off. Rehan Ahmed leans right on and pushes it back to the bowler.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ollie Pope, A bit too full and offering width, Ollie Pope drives it away nicely and in front of square on the off side for a couple of easy runs. The lead currently stands at 121 runs.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ollie Pope, Flighted delivery, a bit fuller and around off, Ollie Pope keeps it out.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ollie Pope, Tossed up around off, Pope leans on and defends it to the off side.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rehan Ahmed, Flighted ball around off, Rehan Ahmed pushes it out on the off side for one run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ollie Pope, No ball! Ravindra Jadeja oversteps yet again and this is getting highly frustrating for the bowler and the captain. On the stumps, worked away past mid-wicket for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rehan Ahmed, Floated up on the stumps, Rehan Ahmed leans on and flicks it away in front of mid-wicket for a quick single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rehan Ahmed, Tossed up full and around off stump, Rehan Ahmed gets on the front foot and blocks it out on the off side.
Jasprit Bumrah to Ollie Pope, Slows it up now and bowls it around the top of off stump, Ollie Pope holds back and just jams the ball out on the off side.
Jasprit Bumrah to Rehan Ahmed, Back of a length around off, punched away off the back foot to point where Mohammed Siraj misfields and allows the single.
Jasprit Bumrah to Rehan Ahmed, Good stop by Shubman Gill! Full and on the legs, flicked away to the left of short mid-wicket where Gill dives down and gets both hands to it.
Jasprit Bumrah to Rehan Ahmed, Good length in the channel and just straightening a bit, Rehan Ahmed plays inside the line as the ball zips through to the keeper.
Jasprit Bumrah to Rehan Ahmed, Goes wider on the crease and angles it back in on a fuller length onto the stumps, Rehan Ahmed keeps it out with a straight bat.
Jasprit Bumrah to Rehan Ahmed, Hard length over middle, this one jags back in a bit and beats the bat of Rehan Ahmed to hit him on the thigh pads.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ollie Pope, Drifted into middle and leg, Ollie Pope blocks it down the pitch.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rehan Ahmed, Dragged well short and outside off, cut away easily off the back foot past point for one and Ravindra Jadeja lets out a grunt as he isn't happy with the ball he just bowled.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ollie Pope, Too full on middle, Ollie Pope drives it along the ground to long off and picks up another single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ollie Pope, Tossed up around middle and leg, gripping a bit, Ollie Pope blocks it off the front foot.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rehan Ahmed, Flatter one, just short of a length, Rehan Ahmed backs away and dabs it down in front of square on the off side for one more.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ollie Pope, Full on middle, Ollie Pope stays leg side of the ball and leans on to stroke it away down to long off for a single.
Jasprit Bumrah to Rehan Ahmed, Hard length over middle, Rehan Ahmed gets pressed onto the back foot but jams it out on the off side.
Jasprit Bumrah to Rehan Ahmed, Beaten! A touch fuller and on the fifth stump line, sliding straight on, Rehan Ahmed looks for the expansive cover drive but gets beaten past the outside edge.
Jasprit Bumrah to Rehan Ahmed, Good-length ball on middle, angling in and staying a shade low, Rehan Ahmed stands tall and punches it toward mid-wicket.
Jasprit Bumrah to Ollie Pope, Good length, angling back into the off stump, Ollie Pope stays on the front foot and taps it in front of point for a single. 300 comes up for England now.
Halt! Jasprit Bumrah gets a sprain on the right knee and receives treatment and some fluids to ensure that he can continue.
Jasprit Bumrah to Ollie Pope, Short and dragged well outside off, Ollie Pope fetches the ball and pulls it down to mid on.
Jasprit Bumrah to Ollie Pope, FOUR! Jasprit Bumrah comes back into the attack and gets hit for a four right away. A gentle loosener to begin with as this is bowled fuller and on the legs, Ollie Pope clips it away with good timing and gets it past square leg for a boundary.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rehan Ahmed, Beaten! Full and around off, turning away sharply, Rehan Ahmed looks to block down the pitch but the ball beats the bat and keeps low as well.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rehan Ahmed, Flatter delivery on the fifth stump line, Rehan Ahmed leaves it alone.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ollie Pope, Pushed through a bit quicker on off stump, Ollie Pope leans on and edges it away with soft hands past silly point for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Rehan Ahmed, Tossed up on off stump, Rehan Ahmed makes a bit of room leg side and goes inside-out over the cover region. There is a sweeper in the deep and it will only be a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ollie Pope, Floated up on off stump, yet another reverse sweep that is nailed down toward third man for a single.
Ravindra Jadeja to Ollie Pope, Half a shout for LBW and catch but nothing doing says the umpire. This is floated up around leg stump, slower through the air and turning away, Ollie Pope looks to defend but misses and the ball goes off his pads to Rohit Sharma at first slip. The replays clearly show that it did pitch outside the leg stump.
Axar Patel to Rehan Ahmed, Play and a miss! Shorter one outside off and angled in, Rehan Ahmed looks to rock back and cut but is beaten by the extra bounce.
Axar Patel to Ollie Pope, Full and straight, knocked down the ground to long on for a single.
Axar Patel to Ollie Pope, Tosses it up around off stump, Ollie Pope leans right ahead and strokes it away wide of long off for a couple of runs. The lead now goes past 100 runs for England.
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