ENG vs IND: India lead by 171 runs before bad light stops play as they lose both Rohit and Pujara

Apart from the two quick wickets in the last session of both the well-set players Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara, it was India’s day through and through as they made a total of 227 runs in the day losing just three wickets and now have a lead of 171 runs with two days still left in the fourth Test against England at the Oval.

The day started with Rohit and KL Rahul resuming their tough work in the middle from 43/0 as both batsmen now eased into their innings. Rohit Sharma survived another dropped catch while Rahul found his reprieve through DRS after being given out LBW on the field.

Both batsmen blunted the new ball and did the hard job of just tiring out the England bowlers and making sure India got through the deficit without any hiccups, however, James Anderson had other ideas as he dismissed KL Rahul for 46 as India still trailed by 16 runs.

Cheteshwar Pujara, on the other hand, who came in at the score of 83/1, looked to score runs from the start and any ball, which was in his playing arc was dispatched to the boundary by India’s No 3.

That’s a 150-run partnership between @ImRo45 & @cheteshwar1 

Live – https://t.co/OOZebPnBZU #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/mEh551Cgi7

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 4, 2021

Pujara had twisted his ankle while taking a run during the innings, but once the physio attended him and he was able to resume his innings, the 33-year old got more aggressive and was using his feet especially against the off-spinner Moeen Ali, playing pull-shots, upper-cutting Chris Woakes.

Rohit Sharma was his defiant and resolute best. After scoring the first 50 gritty runs in 145 balls, a more aggressive Rohit was on the show as he notched up next 50 runs in just 59 balls and brought up his first-ever Test century outside India with a six off Moeen Ali.

 for HITMAN

First away Test ton for @ImRo45 

He also breaches the 3K Test-run mark.#TeamIndia #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/KOxvtHQFGB

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 4, 2021

After tea, Pujara also reached his milestone bringing up an excellent half-century but both of them fell in quick succession to England’s best bowler of the series, Ollie Robinson.

However, skipper Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja ensure India didn’t lose any more wickets and got through their team to the end of the day, before bad light stopped play 40 minutes before the scheduled time.

That’s Stumps on Day 3 at The Oval!#TeamIndia move to 270/3, leading England by 171 runs. @ImRo45 @cheteshwar1 

Captain @imVkohli (22*) & @imjadeja (9*) will resume the proceedings tomorrow on Day 4. #ENGvIND

Scorecard  https://t.co/OOZebP60Bk pic.twitter.com/C9yfQNK1vF

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 4, 2021