Back in Trent Bridge, India got over the line, their all-rounder in Hardik Pandya bagged a five-wicket haul and then notched up a fifty. All-round contributions are few and far in between for India and on a tour when scores have been low, England have somehow managed to sneak ahead primarily because their lower-order had managed to wag just about enough to edge ahead.
The roles were slightly reversed on day 3 at the Oval. India were miles behind when the day started, Hanuma Vihari and Ravindra Jadeja started with caution and even as Vihari was dismissed, Jadeja kept the belief with the tail and dragged the Indian innings along. First with Ishant, then with Shami, and then finally with Bumrah, Jadeja played the innings the Indian team has been yearning for.
Out came the sword celebration
He sliced down the deficit down to 40, which was still significant, but nowhere as close to what could have been. In the process, out came the sword celebration, but then there was s sense of calm to everything he did after it.
"He's an exceptional cricketer, a dangerous cricketer – with bat, ball and in the field – we would probably be reasonably happy he's only just played in this last game," England assistant coach Paul Farbrace told reporters after the day's play.
"He's a fantastic cricketer and he showed that again today – dangerous with the ball, gets important wickets, brilliant in the field and a high-quality batter," he further added.
He then came on and got rid of Moeen Ali in the second wickets and now has five wickets in the match so far. There is substantial rough on the pitch just outside the off stump of the left-handers and Virat Kohli would hope he does what Moeen Ali did to them in Southampton.
"I will give my best in both aspects batting and bowling. I want to become a trusted member of the team and I can fulfill the allrounder slot well because I have done it before in the past. It isn't anything new to me," Jadeja had said after day 1 and on Sunday, September 9, he did his bit to walk the talk.
