Day 3 is often the moving day in Test cricket and the Indian team put in a very convincing performance on the day to edge ahead in the fifth and final Test. This effort was led by opening batsman KL Rahul who showed immense powers of concentration and ability as he scored 199, and the image of him collapsing to his haunches when he was dismissed for 199 would not be forgotten anytime soon.
He was well supported by Parthiv Patel who scored 71 and the opening partnership was worth 152. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli could not quite cash in on a benign surface and were dismissed after the lunch break. However, this slide was arrested by Rahul who found good company in Karun Nair, who after a nervy start buckled down pretty well and remained unbeaten on 71 at the end of the day.
Also read: Twitter reacts as KL Rahul falls agonisingly short of double century
The English bowlers toiled hard but the pitch was devoid of any assistance and the Indian batsmen made sure that the bad balls were put away. Runs scoring was fluent and the pressure was always maintained on Alastair Cook. The hosts ended the day on 391/4 and trail England by 86 runs. They would now look to dig deep and achieve a lead on the fourth day.
Here is how the cricketing world reacted:
KL Rahul, after his defiant 199
I haven't played a lot of matches over the last couple of months, have been injured. Being in and out isn't easy. Got some runs in Bombay. Once I came here, this pitch was a good one and I wanted to make up. Tough couple of months for me. Few injuries. Missed out the NZ series when I was in good form. Looked good in Bombay, unfortunate to have missed out. I was killing myself for missing out. This (innings) will obviously be on top of the list. Now you understand why your coach tells you that one run can be important. Got to be grateful for the 199 I've got. Played a horrible shot and that's something I've to take with me. Have to live with this. Hope to make a double hundred the next time I get the opportunity. I haven't seen the videos. I've just been standing under the shower. Takes some time to sink in. I thought I'd easily get there. Have to come back stronger the next time. Going in and out with injuries is never easy. Knowing where my off-stump is is something that was missing in Vizag. Went back to the basics and spoke with Sanjay Bangar.
Other reactions from in and around the cricketing world:
Aakash Chopra
Harsha Bhogle
Dean Jones
Vikram Sathaye
Jarrod Kimber
Rahul Sharma
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