Visakhapatnam: Shubman Gill snapped a run of low scores to score his third Test century in the second of five-match series against England here on Sunday.
Gill made a tentative start, surviving a couple close calls, before bringing out the full range of his dazzling repertoire to score 104 off 147 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes.
Like in the first innings when none other than double-centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal got past 40, Gill was the only batter to make a big score in the second innings. The Indian batting under-performed to be bowled out for 255, setting England a challenging target of 399.
England, known to play positively come what may, reached 67/1 at stumps in 14 overs. Ravichandran Ashwin claimed the only wicket, that of Ben Duckett.
Gill and Shreyas Iyer rescued India on the third morning after wily warhorse James Anderson rocked the home team with a double strike.
Rohit Sharma (13) was castled by an Anderson beauty which moved late to take off stump. The Indian captain is yet to cross 40 in four innings so far in the series.
Jaiswal (17) was then lured into a drive to be caught at slip as India were down to 30/2.
Gill and Iyer (29) steadied the ship with an 81-run partnership. A stunning catch by England skipper Ben Stokes, running back from deep mid-off to dive and pouch the ball, ended Iyer’s cautious knock.
Debutant Rajat Patidar didn’t last long and India were 122/4. Gill then found another able partner in Axar Patel (45). Once their 89-run stand was broken, India fell apart from 211/4 to 255 all out.
Brief Scores
India 396 & 255 (Shubman Gill 104, Axar Patel 45; Tom Hartley 4/77, Rehan Ahmed 3/88).
England 253 & 67/1.
Match to continue on Day 4, England’s target 399.
