IND vs ENG: R Ashwin Reduces England to 103/5; Trail India by 156 Runs at Lunch – News18

Hosts India inched closer towards an innings victory as they reduced England to 103 for 5 at lunch on day three of the fifth and last Test of the five-match series at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Friday. England still trail India by 156 runs.

India vs England, 5th Test Day 3 – LIVE

Ravichandran Ashwin, in his landmark 100th Test, took four wickets including skipper Ben Stokes, who was bowled for two at the stroke of lunch. Joe Root was batting on 34.

The off-spinner also bowled Ben Duckett for two, got Crawley caught at leg-slip for a duck and sent back Ollie Pope for 19.

Jonny Bairstow, also in his 100th Test, attempted to take on the spinners and hit Ashwin for three sixes but finally fell lbw to Kuldeep Yadav after his 31-ball 39.

ALSO READ | IND vs ENG, 5th Test, Day 3: Rohit Sharma Rested for England’s Second Innings Due to Back Issues

Skipper Rohit Sharma did not take the field due to a “stiff back”, with vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah in charge.

Earlier, James Anderson got Yadav caught behind for 30 to become the first paceman and third bowler overall to the 700 mark, after spinners Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka (800 wickets) and late Australian great Shane Warne (708).

The 41-year-old raised the ball to the crowd against the backdrop of the Himalayas as teammates gathered around him and England fans stood up to cheer.

It ended Yadav’s stubborn 49-run ninth-wicket overnight stand with Bumrah.

Spinner Shoaib Bashir soon wrapped up the innings in the fifth over of the day when he got Bumrah stumped for 20, completing a five-wicket haul.

India lead the series 3-1.

(With inputs from Agencies)