The way England top-order began the first Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday, it seemed that India might find themselves at the receiving end right from the first day. However, the third session scripted a different story altogether when Kohli’s men in whites completely overpowered the Englishmen.
After the tea break, Root and Jonny Bairstow resumed the inning at 163/3. In the first few overs, the due troubled the Indians a bit and gradually stitched a partnership of 104 runs for the 4th wicket. But Virat Kohli’s direct hit changed the face of the game and pushed the home side to backfoot.
Root, who was heading towards to his 12th Test hundred, fell short of the crease and ended up scoring 80 off 156 balls.
With this crucial wicket, the India bowlers began penetrating the English batting line-up, one after another.
A few balls after Root’s dismissal, Bairstow played on to one of Umesh Yadav’s delivery, going outside the off stump, and ended up scoring 70 off 88 deliveries.
By the time, an ample amount of pressure surmounted the hosts which reflected clearly on the leftover batters. Newly appointed vice-captain Jos Buttler could even open his account while Rashid (13) and Broad (1) went back to the dressing room after spending a little time at the crease.
Ben Stokes, who was considered as the key factor in the middle, gave away his wicket to Ashwin in probably one of the silliest manners.
The output given by R Ashwin would surely make Kohli regret his decision of having only one spinner on board. The 31-year-old off-spinner plucked 4 wickets, Shami bagged while Umesh and Ishant had 1-1 each.
Earlier, England consolidated their position despite losing Cook early, reaching 83 for one at lunch after opting to bat. Ashwin was the only wicket-taker for India in the pre-lunch session, bowling Cook (13) with a ripper in the ninth over. The ball pitched on middle and turned away to knock back Cook's off-stump.
Shami struck twice in the second session, dismissing Keaton Jennings (42) and Dawid Malan (8).
By the day end, Sam Curran (24*) and James Anderson (0*) kept the struggle on and will resume the game from 285/9 on Thursday.