England vs India, 3rd Test Day 2: 5 Talking Points

India are in the driver's seat after the second day's play at Trent Bridge, finishing on 124 for 2 in their second innings taking a lead of 292 runs. They find themselves in such a scenario thanks to a sensational bowling performance, led by Hardik Pandya, whose five-wicket haul bundled England out for 161 in their first innings.

Earlier in the day, though, India lost their last four wickets for 22 runs getting bowled out for 329, but their bowling made up for that and have ensured that their side is in prime position to win the game.

Here are the five talking points from the day:

#5 India start strong with the bat, again

Before going into the bowling, one must speak a bit about how the batting in the second innings. After taking a lead of 168 runs, it was imperative for India to start well again with the bat.

That they did, thanks to Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul, India got that and they ended the day in a commanding position.

#4 Was Joe Root out?

Was this a clean catch? Decide for yourself!

It's a question that will be asked over-and-over again: Did KL Rahul cling on to the catch that sent Joe Root back?

After much deliberation, the decision was sent back to the third umpire and he clearly felt it was clean. Root went back to the pavilion, shaking his head vigorously even as India celebrated in the background.

The decision ensured that after Cook fell early, Root too could not get a big score and that decision arguably turned out to be a major turning point in England's first innings.

#3 Rishabh Pant shines with the gloves

Pant was excellent behind the stumps

India decided to punt on Rishabh Pant in this Test to man the wicket-keeping duties and on his first day as a gloveman, the 20-year-old had a dream time behind the wickets, claiming five catches to start his career off to the most incredible start.

The management got in Pant after Dines Karthik did not quite deliver in the first two Tests and if Pant can contribute with the bat in the second innings, then he would be the firm favourite to start in the remaining matches as well.

#2 Alastair Cook endures yet another poor outing

Cook fell for a low score again on Sunday

For the last 12 years, a lot of players have come and gone in the England cricket team, but the one man who has stood tall through every up-and-down has been Alastair Cook.

But on Sunday, the left-hander endured yet another poor outing with the bat, scoring just 29 runs before falling to Ishant Sharma.

Cook's record in Test cricket may be second to none in the history of English cricket, but on current form, there might be an odd whisper in the dressing room about his future and how long a rope he could be in red-ball cricket for England.

#1 Hardik Pandya steals the show with the ball

Pandya's sensational spell derailed England completely

There has been some talk about Hardik Pandya and his role in the present side. General conception has been that he was a batsman who could bowl and India were not quite getting what they sought from him as an all-rounder.

On Sunday, however, he showed that when he was in rhythm, he could be a real handful with the ball, picking up his maiden five-wicket haul and helping India get a lead of 168 runs.

It was a stunning spell of bowling which completely derailed the hosts and put the visitors in command in the game.