All-rounder Ashwin puts India in cruise control

TIL Desk Sports/ Star India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin kept his team firmly on course for yet another comprehensive victory, outclassing England on all counts here at the end of the third day’s play in the third cricket Test. At stumps, England were in deep trouble at 78 for four, still 56 runs in arrears and only six wickets at their disposal.

Earlier in the day, Ravindra Jadeja smashed his way to a career-best 90 while Ashwin hit 72 as lower middle-order once again put up a power-packed performance to score a commendable 417 in the first innings, thereby giving India a healthy 134-run lead over England. A four-day finish with a 2-0 lead is looking imminent for India.

Having set up the match with a well-compiled half-century with the bat, Ashwin (3/19 in 12 overs) came back to remove rival captain Alastair Cook (12), Moeen Ali (5) and Ben Stokes (5) as India tightened the noose around England. Jayant Yadav (1/12 in 6 overs) then came in to remove first innings half-centurion Jonny Bairstow (15) before the close of play. England’s No 1 batsman Joe Root (36 batting, 101 balls) stands between India and victory.