🏏England tour of India 2024: 5th Test: 07 - 11 March 2024 - Day 3🏏 - Page 35

That was a very good contribution from Bumrah and Kuldeep. Nearly 50 runs.

Another good day for India with two centuries and two half centuries.

Cheers..

Originally posted by: Rosyme

Kuldeep is an excellent and ever dependable all rounder. He has replaced Hardik Pandya although he bowls spin.

Well said👍

If India didn't do well enough to take long strides in this game, this unbeaten 45-run stand has sure dragged England further. Kuldeep Yadav has looked more assured than many of the England batters in the entire series. Bumrah blocked his way initially and managed to nudge around to get some runs too. Rohit and Gill set the first session on fire with positive cricket as both completed their hundreds. Devdutt Padikkal never looked like he was debut as he notched up a fifty but the habit of hanging back to not so short balls eventually got him. Sarfaraz got set and then unleashed in typical fashion. England made a comeback with 4 wickets for 25 runs but Kuldeep and Bumrah frustrated them to stretch India's lead past 250. Stokes bowled a dream ball to Rohit when he bowled for the first time in international cricket since last year's Ashes Test at Lord's. Anderson got one close to 700. Bashir was the pick of the bowlers though with 4 wickets and Hartley joined the party late.

STAT: Kuldeep and Bumrah have batted for 18 overs together so far. England’s last six partnerships collectively lasted for 14 overs yesterday.

Shubman Gill: It was my first time that he's (talking about his dad) watching me play (in an international game). It was his vision (to play Test cricket) and I'm hoping that he is proud of my effort today. I thought the ball wasn't doing much at that time and instinctively I wanted to go over the top (talking about the six he hit against Anderson) and put some pressure on him. I feel good every time I go out to bat and today I missed out on that ball (the one he got dismissed). I didn't sight that ball properly, but I do feel good every time I go out to bat and hopefully I convert these starts into a big one. I think it would be better for both of us to keep that chat between us (when asked about the conversation between him and Anderson after the latter was taken for a six).

Devdutt Padikkal: I just wanted to be ready (talking about the debut blues), I got the message the previous day that there is a possibility that I could play. These opportunities are rare to come and I was ready and prepared for this challenge. I was a bit nervous going in, but I wanted to make sure that I wanted to use that energy in a positive way. It was a bit challenging at the beginning (when I walked out to bat), but I wanted to put my head down and build a partnership with Sarfaraz. It's a special feeling (getting his debut Test cap) no matter what the circumstances, to live in that dream is something special. At the start I was a bit tentative (while batting) to get going, but once I got my eye in it got much easier. There was a bit of reverse and those are two (Anderson and Stokes) top quality bowlers you are facing. It was challenging, but I wanted to get used to the wicket. It was challenging the last couple of years, because of my health issues (had problems with his gut health) which are well-documented, so when you are sitting at home and not doing anything, it surely wasn't a pleasant feeling, but I wanted to make the most of the opportunity whenever it comes. It's always great to have familiar faces (while on debut), especially Rahul sir mentioned that in the first 10-15 minutes you will have nerves, but go out and enjoy it. Those words definitely helped me. I felt we could have batted a bit better, could have carried on a bit better in the last session. We have 3 quality spinners and they will definitely come into play (tomorrow).

Sure India's lead is massive. But if England needed a place to do Bazball in India, they can't ask for anything more than the conditions here in Dharamsala. They put on a shocking batting display in the first innings. But the pitch is still pretty good to bat on and there is nothing really unplayable yet for the spinners. Sure India's spin quality is of a different level, but if they can get off to a flier like they have done before in this series and get Rohit to spread the field, they can fight back. This needs a lot of mental strength though. Do they have it in them for one last effort with the bat on this long tour?

Padikkal played well in his debut

Rishab Jain: Kuldeep Yadav has really been very impressive in this series. He has been excellent with ball & shown great determination with the bat.

Shadab: With this series India proved we have good bench strength for Home Tests. We need to create similar bench strength for Away tests as well.