IND against ENG, First Test: On Day 3, India pulls ahead thanks to a valiant 87 from Ravindra Jadeja

At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, India’s all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja struck a fierce 87 to give the hosts a commanding lead over England in the first Test of their five-match series.

With 87 runs off 180 deliveries, including two sixes and seven boundaries, Jadeja helped India collect 436 runs in the first innings. The hosts’ first innings gave them a 190-run advantage over England.

With Jadeja and Axar Patel in the middle, India had a 175-run lead at 421 for 7 on Day 3. At the beginning of the day, Jadeja was 81 years old, and Axar was 35.

First Test Day 3 between India and England: Live score and updates

Against pacer Mark Wood, the top-ranked Test all-rounder in the world opened the day with a fast single off the first ball. With Axar at his side, he continued to keep the scoreboard moving, but Joe Root finally got the better of him in the 120th over.

After Root hit his first ball, Jasprit Bumrah was bowled for a golden duck by Rehan Ahmed, who then dismissed Axar Patel to leave India needing just 436 runs in 121 overs.

DAY 2: INDIA TAKES THE LEAD

Day 1 of the match saw the hosts bowl out England for 246 runs, with three wickets each taken by Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Day 1 saw India get off to a fast start thanks to openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma, with Jaiswal reaching his half-century quickly. After Jack Leach dismissed Rohit, the 22-year-old proceeded to score 80 runs off 74 deliveries until Joe Root caught and bowled him.

Before Shreyas Iyer left the game with 35 runs off 63 deliveries, Shubman Gill contributed with a 23-run innings off 66 balls. KL Rahul was bowled out by rookie Tom Hartley for 86 runs off 123 balls, missing out on a well-earned century despite hitting eight boundaries and two sixes.

Before Jadeja and Axar Patel attacked the visitors late on Day 2, KS Bharat hit 41 runs, which helped India finish at 421 for 7 at stumps.

Of their five-match series, this is the first Test. India has defeated England twice in the last 12 years and has not lost a home Test series. It’s interesting to note that Alastair Cook’s England squad from 2012–13 was the last team to defeat India at home.