The warm up game between India and Leicestershire saw the visitors take complete control of the match. India ended the day at 364 for 7 with a lead of 366. Every Indian batsman and bowler got a good work out on the 3rd day with Virat Kohli finding some form with the bat. Rohit Sharma did not bat due to testing positive for COVID 19, the likes of Kamlesh Nagarkotti, Navdeep Saini and R Sai Kishore too got a run out with the ball for the county side.
Kohli’s stylish shot against Jasprit Bumrah –
India began the day with overnight batting pair of Bharat and Vihari at the crease. Kohli came out to bat at number 7 and looked dominant right from the start. The Indian team had chosen to give the likes of Iyer and Jadeja batting practice, which gives a fair indication that the two could start the Birmingham test. The moment of the day came when Kohli played amazing shot off the back foot off Bumrah for an uppish drive for 4. The stroke showed the kind of confidence Kohli is in as he is trying to come back into the groove.
Bharat and Vihari fall early –
Shubman Gill had scored 38 quick runs before falling to Navdeep Saini on Friday. Saturday saw the overnight pair of Bharat and Vihari take strike. With the score reading 101, India lost Vihari for 20 off 55 balls as Will Davis had him caught by Sam Bates. Bharat then became Saini’s 2nd wicket when he was caught by Bumrah for 43.
Indian team give Iyer and Jadeja two chances to bat –
Iyer and Jadeja were both given two chances to bat, something which we haven’t seen before. Shreyas Iyer who has been out of sorts with the bat scored 62 off 89 balls with 11 fours. He was dismissed by Nagakotti caught by Evison, left hander Jadeja is batting on 56 off 77 balls with 10 foursx. Nagakotti bowled with pace and knocked the stumps of Thakur who scored 28 off 38 balls. Pujara looked set for a big score before he stepped out to hit Kishore and was stumped by Bates. Former India skipper Kohli scored 67 off 98 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes before falling to Bumrah.