India vs England 2016: 4th Test, Day 3 - 5 Talking Points

The third day of a Test match often turns out to be the moving day wherein both teams tend to start thinking about the finish line. Resuming at 146/1, India had their task cut out even as a strong weekend crowd thronged the Wankhede Stadium in fervent anticipation.

England were given a huge lift when Cheteshwar Pujara shouldered arms to the second delivery of the day. But, Virat Kohli came together with Murali Vijay to carve out a 116-run stand and set the stage for a huge first-innings total. While the opener was dismissed after scoring 136, the skipper ended the day unbeaten on 147 even as India’s lead grew to 51.

Here are five of the most fascinating talking points of the third day’s play in Mumbai.

---

#5 Cook’s tactics under the microscope

Alastair Cook’s captaincy bordered on the conservative side

During their Test series against Pakistan at UAE last year, England often found themselves at sturdy positions but still could not translate them into something on the score line. The same issue has cropped up in this series as well with a reluctance to take risks coming in their way.

After failing to capitalise on a massive opportunity in Rajkot, Alastair Cook continued to cling on to his conservative approach on a day that demanded a more proactive outlook. He waited for 20 overs before bringing on the leg-spinner and inexplicably kept him on for quite a long time once the horse had bolted.

Despite defending a formidable first-innings total, the 31-year old let slip yet another possibility due to his unwillingness to rotate the bowlers.

#4 Vijay answers Kumble’s call

Vijay silenced his doubters with a timely ton

Having begun the series with an important century, Vijay threatened to fade away during the subsequent two matches. Interestingly, his record in the latter part of a Test series often pales in comparison to how he starts them.

With England’s seamers targeting him relentlessly by bowling short, he was under scrutiny. But, coach Anil Kumble had warned naysayers that ‘a big score was right around the corner’. Vijay proved him right with a critical century which helped set a solid platform for India to progress towards a decisive first-innings total.

The ease with which he unleashed the big shots after blocking numerous deliveries caught England off-guard.

#3 Joe Root’s golden arm

Root brought himself on as soon as Cook left the field

With only two specialist spin options at their disposal, the visitors’ team combination was always going to be iffy. Despite toiling long and hard, the duo of Ali and Rashid were not able to provide regular breakthroughs.

After Cook had gone off the field, stand-in skipper Joe Root brought himself on even as the hosts were getting closer and closer to England’s first-innings total. The part-time off-spinner did something which their regular spinners were unable to do. He brought the batsmen forward and reaped the rewards immediately.

With the scalps of Parthiv Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin, Root ended the day as his team’s best bowler (at least statistically).

#2 Rashid’s costly miss

Rashid had an opportunity to send back Kohli on 68

During the opening day of the second Test in Vizag, Rashid had dropped a simple catch off Kohli when he was batting on 56. Eventually, the Indian skipper went on to score 167 and extended the team total to 455.

History seemed to repeat itself in Mumbai although the chance was not as straightforward as the previous one. Following Root’s double strike, India found themselves at 315/6 with Kohli batting on 68. Enticed by a tossed-up delivery, the star batsman unfurled a strong drive which was well within Rashid’s reach.

But, the leg-spinner could not hang on and Kohli ended the day unbeaten on 147 with India’s lead growing to 51 runs.

#1 Kohli’s staggering year continues

Kohli seems to be simply unstoppable at the moment

A year which began with an ODI series in Australia has seen Kohli stamp his authority in all formats of the game. Be it Tests, ODIs or T20Is, the 28-year old does not seem flustered and continues to pile on the runs without too much fuss.

After watching his bowlers concede 400 in the first innings, he led India’s reply with a masterful century even as his series tally burgeoned past 500 runs. Showing restraint when needed and punishing the loose deliveries ruthlessly, Kohli remained in total control.

During the course of his innings, the Delhi dasher also surpassed Root in leading the run charts for 2016 across all formats.