India’s rock-solid batsman Cheteshwar Pujara rued the fact that the hosts had some soft dismissals on Day three of the ongoing Test match against England on Sunday. Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed off the full toss when England captain Joe Root took a one-handed blinder while diving to his left. Rahane was dismissed soon after Virat Kohli’s dismissal and it put the hosts under pressure.
Cheteshwar Pujara didn’t had the rub of the green on his side as the ball ricocheted off short-leg fielder Ollie Pope’s shoulder and went straight to Rory Burns who took an easy catch. Shubman Gill had timed the ball to perfection against Jofra Archer but James Anderson took a great catch while diving to his left.
Rishabh Pant looked ominous during his knock of 91 runs but he was dismissed when he tried to attack Dom Bess and holed out to Jack Leach. India is currently 257-6 and the hosts still need another 121 runs to avoid the follow-on.
The Virat Kohli-led team is trailing by a massive margin of 321 runs and they are under the cosh as the pitch will get difficult to bat on the final two days of the match.
On the other hand, England’s fielding has been top-class and the visitors were able to convert even their half-chances.
“We have had some soft dismissals. The way I got out and how Jinks (Ajinkya Rahane) got out. Ash and Washington are batting well. There is a bit of spin but still a good pitch to bat on. Tomorrow will be crucial,” Pujara said in the post-play press conference.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant played in a fearless manner during his blistering knock of 91 runs as he took the attack against the opposition bowlers. The left-hander was able to hit the ground running and thus it allowed Cheteshwar Pujara to bat more freely. Pujara and Pant added 119 runs for the fifth wicket but the former had a unlucky dismissal.
Pujara had a paltry strike rate of 29.20 on the Australian tour but he scored a fine knock of 73 runs at a decent strike rate of 51.05 in the first innings.
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