Former Indian cricketer and team director Ravi Shastri has predicted that England will find it extremely difficult to stage a comeback from their current situation in the game as well as in the series.
England have already lost one match in the five match series, struggling at 78/4 at stumps on day three of the third Test at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali on Monday. The first match ended in a draw.
“It would be difficult for England to make a comeback in the game and in the series. India will comfortably win this five-match series,” Ravi Shastri said while participating in Cricket Ki Baat on India TV.
“First one hour of Day 4’s play would be crucial for the visitors to survive,” Shastri added.
Shastri also remarked on Virat Kohli’s gesture during the match when Ben Stokes was dismissed to an Ashwin delivery. “Virat Kohli’s attitude and aggression on the field makes him special,” Shastri said.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli hit back at Ben Stokes after seeing the England all-rounder fall just minutes before the close of play on day three. Kohli put both fingers to his lips to replicate Stokes’s gesture he did the day before.
India's off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin led from the front, claiming three wickets to reduce England to 78/4 at stumps.
After conceding a 134-run lead in the first innings, England kept losing their top order -- skipper Alastair Cook (12), Moeen Ali (5), Jonny Bairstow (15) and Ben Stokes (5) -- in quick succession, to still trail by 56 runs.
Joe Root, who opened the innings in place of injured Haseeb Hameed, was unbeaten on 36 along with night-watchman Gareth Batty (0) when the umpires removed the bails.
Earlier, India were bowled out for 417 runs in their first innings, taking a lead of 134 against England at tea on the third day.
Leftie all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja produced a career best Test score of 90 to pull India to a sizeable lead. Jayant Yadav scored 55 including five boundaries.
For England, pacer Ben Strokes scalped five wickets (5/73) while spinner Adil Rashid took four wickets (4/118).
