1st Test, Day 3: Rain forces early stumps after India take 95-run lead

England openers Rory Burns (11) and Dominic Sibley (9) were the batsmen at the crease, as the hosts finished Day 3 of the ongoing first Test against India at a score of 25/0 after 11.1 overs. Rain brought an early end to the proceedings with the Joe Root-led team currently trailing by 70 runs. India were bowled out for 278 in 84.5 overs in their first innings, with opener KL Rahul the highest run-getter. Rahul accumulated 84 runs from 214 deliveries in an innings comprising of 12 boundaries. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was the second-highest run-scorer, with 56 runs off 86 balls which included eight fours and a hit into the stands. Ollie Robinson was the pick of the bowlers, recording a five-wicket haul.

James Anderson surpasses Anil Kumble

However, the star of the day was undoubtedly veteran pacer James Anderson, who is now the third-highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket. Anderson surpassed legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble to achieve the unique milestone. The 39-year-old accounted for the dismissal of KL Rahul who was looking confident following a half-century. Rahul’s departure marked the English pacer’s 620th dismissal in Test cricket, surpassing Kumble who bowed out of the game with 619 Test wickets. Anderson further accounted for the dismissal of Shardul Thakur to increase the tally of wickets to 621. The English pacer registered a four-wicket haul overall, sending Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Shardul Thakur back to the pavilion.

Legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan leads the charts, having accounted for 800 dismissals. Australian cricketer Shane Warne is placed on the second spot in the list, with 708 dismissals to his credit. Glenn McGrath rounds off the top five list having accounted for 563 wickets.

England maintain momentum after fightback on Day 2

England have managed to push hard and maintain their presence in the encounter, having made a soaring comeback on Day 2. Openers Rohit Sharma and Rahul nearly struck a 100 run partnership in 37.3 overs, before the former’s dismissal opened up an opportunity for the hosts to bounce back. Anderson accounted for the wickets of Pujara and Kohli one after the other to leave the Indian batting line-up in an uncertain scenario. Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed soon after following a fine run-out by Jonny Bairstow. The momentum was maintained on Day 3, with England making amends for a collapse on Day 1.

England collapse after tea on Day 1

The hosts were bowled out for 183 in the first innings after skipper Joe Root won the toss and opted to bat. Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami were criticised following a performance not at the same level as expected, in the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) against New Zealand. Bumrah and Shami were termed as bowlers who did not prepare well for a vital encounter, which could have earned a lot of prestige for the nation. However, they brought their A-game on Day 1 of the first Test against England, chipping in with four and three wickets respectively.

Bumrah accounted for the dismissals of Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Stuart Broad and James Anderson. Shami sent back Dominic Sibley, Jonny Bairstow and Daniel Lawrence respectively. Shardul Thakur chipped in with two wickets, as Mohammed Shami completed one dismissal. The hosts were bowled out for 183, having lost their last seven wickets for just 45 runs with a flurry of wickets after tea. Root was the top run-getter for England, accumulating 64 runs in 108 deliveries with 11 boundaries to his credit. The England skipper further became England’s leading run-scorer in international cricket, during the course of the innings.