At the close on Day Three, India were 196 for two, with Gill unbeaten on 65 and Kuldeep Yadav as nightwatchman for the second time in the match, on three. The home team have an overall lead of 322, and with a lot of batting to come, they hold all the aces even in the absence of Ashwin.   
 
In recent times, Root has been severely criticised in the English media for dumping his traditional batting method and adopting the much-touted Bazball, which has affected his consistency. He has played 139 Test matches and has over 11,000 runs, thus has no need to change his batting style. He is the one on whom the team rely to get them a big total. His cheap dismissal for the fifth straight innings in the current series had an adverse effect on the fortunes of the team as he gave a window of opportunity to the Indian side. But credit goes to the home bowlers, who took full advantage of that and raised their hands in the absence of their star off-spinner.

Also Read: Ton-up Ben Duckett puts England in control, propelling visitors to 207 for two

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For once, Kuldeep Yadav bowled the way one would expect him to, with the type of talent he possesses. After the departure of Root, he first removed Jonny Bairstow LBW with a peach of a delivery and then had Duckett (153) caught off a loose shot. From thereon, England were caught in a dilemma of traditional batting versus Bazball and kept losing wickets as Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj cleaned up the remaining six wickets. Siraj, who looked ordinary on Friday, was very impressive with a four-wicket haul, while Kuldeep and Jadeja had two apiece. Of course, Ashwin was not there after claiming a wicket on Friday. But, it was Bumrah’s lone strike early in the morning when he foxed Root to play that outrageous shot which started the England slide. In India’s second innings, skipper Rohit Sharma did not last long and fell to Root. But Jaiswal produced his second century of the series after having made 209 in the previous game at Vizag. With 435 from six innings, he is the highest run-getter in the series from either side and is not finished yet as he can come out to bat today if he recovers from the back spasm.

Patidar falls cheaply

Rajat Patidar, who had lost his wicket on five, playing a loose shot in the first essay, was dismissed in a similar manner for the same score in the second and as he walked back to the pavilion, disappointment was writ large on his face.

India still have a lot of batting to come and with England seemingly determined to fight it out, it remains to be seen if the game will enter the fifth day on Monday or finish on Sunday itself.

Brief scores
India 445 & 196-2 (Y Jaiswal 104 retd hurt, S Gill 65') v England 319 (B Duckett 153, B Stokes 41, O Pope 39; M Siraj 4-84, R Jadeja 2-51, K Yadav 2-77)