On Day 3 of the Ranchi Test (Feb 25), India’s spin duo Ravi Ashwin (5/51) and Kuldeep Yadav (4/22) combined to claim nine English wickets, limiting them to a mere 145 runs in their second innings. This remarkable bowling performance sets India a target of 192 runs to secure victory in both the match and the series, with a commanding 3-1 lead in the ongoing five-Test series.

In their second innings, India made a swift start as captain Rohit Sharma (24 not out) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (16 not out) efficiently chipped away at nearly a quarter of the target in the eight overs following England’s innings. Ending the day at 40/0, the hosts now require 152 more runs for victory, with two days remaining in the match.

Ravi Ashwin initiated England’s downfall during the second session of the day. His successive dismissals of Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope in the fifth over brought India back into contention. Joe Root, England’s centurion from the first innings, then partnered with opener Zak Crawley, adding 46 runs for the third wicket before Ashwin intervened once more, removing Root at a team score of 69.

England’s Collapse and India’s Fightback: Day 3 Recap

Crawley, who crafted an elegant 60, was the next to depart, falling victim to Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling prowess. England’s skipper Ben Stokes, enduring a challenging series, was also sent back by Kuldeep after contributing just 10 runs, leaving the visitors at 120/5 heading into tea on day 3, with a lead of 166 runs in total.

Following tea, Ravindra Jadeja joined forces with his fellow spinners, claiming the wicket of Jonny Bairstow (30). England suffered a double setback in the same over, as Kuldeep dismissed Tom Hartley and Ollie Robinson.

English wicketkeeper Ben Foakes and spinner Shoaib Bashir then held the crease for nearly 13 overs but managed to add only 12 runs before Ashwin removed Foakes. With England at 145/9, Ashwin struck once again in the same over, completing his five-wicket haul and marking the third instance of a double-wicket over in the day, dismissing Anderson.

Earlier in the day, India’s overnight partnership of Dhuv Jurel and Kuldeep Yadav continued to accumulate runs, starting from 219/7. They added 76 runs for the eighth wicket before James Anderson dismissed Kuldeep shortly after India surpassed 250 in their first innings. Jurel then showcased resilience alongside the tailenders, adding another 54 runs with them before being the final Indian wicket to fall just before lunch. His impressive knock of 90 helped India reach a total of 307 in the first innings, conceding a lead of 46 runs.For England, Shoaib Bashir claimed a five-wicket haul, with Hartley and Anderson contributing with three and two wickets respectively.

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