Ishant Sharma's five-wicket haul at Edgbaston will be remembered in the history of the gentlemen's game as it helped to bundle England at 180 in the second innings. India now need 194 runs to win the first-ever Test match at Edgbaston.
Ashwin teased the English top-order with his subtle variation in flight, got the ball to grip and turn to slice through the English top-order. After sending Alastair Cook packing on a 14-ball duck on Thursday, Ashwin started proceedings on Day Three in the same vein. His first prey Friday morning was Keaton Jennings, who was caught by KL Rahul at the 2nd slip in the 8th over.
Skipper Joe Root tried to build a partnership with Dawid Malan but Ashwin had the England skipper fall for his leg-side trap, getting him caught at leg-slip by KL Rahul.
The hosts were reduced to 39 for 3 but Bairstow and Malan added 31 runs on the board. Until Virat Kohli reintroduced Ishant Sharma into the attack. The lanky fast-bowler dismantled the England middle-order by getting rid of Malan (20) and then picked up three wickets in one over – 31st of the innings -- on either side of lunch interval, removing Jonny Bairstow (28) and Ben Stokes (6) and newly appointed vice-captain, Jos Buttler for 1.
Adil Rashid and Sam Curran gave some hope to the hosts with some feisty and were helped immensely by some sloppy slip-catching from the Indian side.
The play was briefly halted for bad light but Umesh Yadav entered into the scene to send back Adil Rashid on 16.
For the one last time, Ishant struck again and claimed a five-wicket haul after removing Stuart Broad in the 52nd over on 11.
Towards the end, Sam Curran slammed a magnificent fifty and ended up scoring 63 off 65 deliveries, which was the last wicket during the English inning.
Brief Score:
1st Test Day 3, 2nd innings: ENG – 180 all-out (S Curran 63(65); I Sharma 13-51-5); India need 194 to win