VISAKHAPATNAM — A masterful century from Shubman Gill and a relentless bowling attack left England reeling as India surged toward victory on Day 3 of the second Test at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium. The visitors, chasing a daunting target of 399, lost three top-order wickets before stumps, leaving them staring at an improbable comeback.
Gill’s Redemption Innings
After a lean patch in recent Tests, Gill silenced critics with a sublime 104 off 147 balls, his third Test century and first at No. 3. His knock, laced with 11 fours and two sixes, anchored India’s second innings total of 255. "I wanted to bat through the tough periods and capitalize later," Gill said at the post-day press conference. "The pitch wasn’t easy, but once you got in, it was about trusting your game."
England’s spinners, particularly Tom Hartley (4/77), kept India in check, but Gill’s partnerships with Axar Patel (45) and Ravichandran Ashwin (29) stretched the lead beyond England’s comfort zone. Former England captain Michael Vaughan noted on social media: "Gill’s innings could be the match-winner. England’s batting lineup has a mountain to climb."
England’s Collapse Under Pressure
Chasing 399, England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach faltered early. Jasprit Bumrah removed Ben Duckett (28) with a searing yorker, while Axar Patel trapped Zak Crawley (17) lbw with a sharp turner. The biggest blow came when Ashwin dismissed Ollie Pope (23) with a classic off-spinner, leaving England at 67/3.
Key concerns for England:
- Joe Root’s form: The former captain has scored just 52 runs in four innings this series.
- Spin vulnerability: England’s batters have been dismissed by spin 12 times in two Tests.
- Lack of partnerships: Only one 50+ stand in the series so far.
Bumrah’s Fiery Spell
Jasprit Bumrah (1/20) continued his dominance, hitting speeds of 145+ kph and troubling England’s left-handers with reverse swing. His duel with Duckett was a highlight, culminating in a toe-crushing yorker. Captain Rohit Sharma praised Bumrah’s impact: "He’s a once-in-a-generation bowler. Every time he has the ball, something happens."
What’s Next for England?
With Ben Stokes (16*) and Jonny Bairstow (4*) at the crease, England need another 332 runs on Day 4. However, history is against them: no team has successfully chased 399+ in India. The highest successful fourth-innings chase in Asia remains Pakistan’s 382 against Sri Lanka in 2015.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri summed up the challenge: "England’s only hope is Stokes magic. But with Ashwin and Jadeja turning it square, even that might not be enough." India, meanwhile, need seven wickets to level the series 1-1 heading to Rajkot.
Stat to watch:
- Ashwin is two wickets away from 500 Test scalps.
- India have never lost a home Test after leading by 100+ runs in the first innings.
Conclusion: India’s Day to Lose
Barring a miraculous counterattack from Stokes or an England batting collapse, India are firmly in control. Gill’s century and the bowlers’ discipline have set the stage for a series-levelling win. As stumps were called, the Vizag crowd erupted in anticipation—Day 4 could seal England’s fate.
England’s assistant coach Paul Collingwood admitted the uphill task: "We’ve been outplayed so far, but this team thrives on challenges. If anyone can chase this, it’s us." The next 24 hours will test that belief to its limits.