4 key takeaways from the third Test match between England and India

Match: 3rd Test match, England vs India

Where: Trent Bridge, Nottingham

A superb comeback by India after losing by an innings and 159 runs at Lord's.

After miserable batting collapses in the first two Test matches, this Indian batting unit produced one of their best batting displays in England. They scored 300 runs in both the innings; a feat rarely achieved by the team these days in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia.

England, on the other hand, had a horrible batting collapse when they lost all their ten wickets in a single session; their third instance since 2016. Their bowling too lacked the spark in both the innings.

So, let us find out the 4 key takeaways from the third Test match between England and India.

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#4- Indian openers' effectiveness

When Virat Kohli announced the squad for the third Test match, Shikhar Dhawan's inclusion came as a surprise. The southpaw was dropped in the second Test match even though he had scored more runs than Vijay and Rahul in the first Test match. It was a bold move to drop Vijay, and play Dhawan instead.

Nevertheless, the Indian openers began with a positive mindset, and that showed after a solid opening partnership of 60 runs.

Together in the first innings, they scored a total of 58 runs in 118 deliveries. The dot ball percentage being at 79.7%, which showed that they were punishing the bad balls, and respecting the good ones.

England openers, on the other hand, made a quick fire 49 runs in just 74 deliveries at a strike rate of 66.2.

Openers' 1st Innings performance- England vs India, 3rd Test match

In the second innings, the Indian openers scored a total of 80 runs in comparison to 30 from the England openers. For India, KL Rahul made a quickfire 36 of just 33 balls with 7 fours. That innings gave the impetus that was needed for India to command its position.

Chasing a mammoth 521, England openers began steadily, but they soon fell prey to Ishant Sharma's brilliance. Overall, they could manage a total of only 30 runs, which was extremely poor.

Openers' 2nd Innings performance- England vs India, 3rd Test match

Overall in both the innings, the Indian openers looked better than England openers.

#3- Useful contribution from Indian middle order

Virat Kohli was once again sensational with the bat. He amassed a total of 200 runs in the match, with scores of 97 and 103 in first innings and second innings respectively.

He was equally supported by Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Thankfully, the duo came out of their horror tour by scoring individual fifties in this do-or-die situation.

Huge relief for Team India as Ajinkya Rahane got back to form

Together in the first innings, Indian middle order scored a total of 192 runs at an average of 64 and a strike rate of 61. These are superb numbers considering how the tour has fared for Rahane and Pujara.

England, on the other hand, had poor contributions from their middle order. A lot was expected from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, but the duo failed to make any impression.

Together in the first innings, England middle order could manage only 41 runs at an average of just 13.7.

Middle order's 1st Innings performances- England vs India, 3rd Test match

In the second innings, India were even better. They scored a total of 204 runs at an average of 68 and a strike rate of 41. Kohli scored his 23rd century and Pujara made a well fought 72 of 208 deliveries.

England's middle order woes continued in the second innings too as the trio of Root, Pope and Bairstow could manage only 29 runs between them at a bizarre average of 9.7.

With such a huge difference in terms of contributions from the middle order of both the teams, this round again goes to India.

#2- Hardik Pandya's bowling & Rishabh Pant's debut

Before the start of the third Test match, Michael Holding, the former West Indian great said, " Hardik Pandya is not a Test allrounder yet. He is not effective as a batsman and lacks control and consistency with the ball."

We are not sure if that excited Hardik Pandya, but he looked all charged up against England in the first innings, as he took his career's first 5 wicket haul.

We will look at his bowling performance on the next page, but meanwhile, let's find out how the lower order of both the teams performed.

In the first innings, there was hardly any difference separating both the teams. Indian lower order scored a total of 56 runs in comparison to England's 57 runs. Joss Buttler scored a quick fire 39 runs in just 32 balls.

For India, Rishabh Pant had a dream debut. Facing only his second ball, he got off the mark with a flashy down the track six to Adil Rashid. He may have scored a gritty 24, but the maturity with which he batted was beyond his years. He also became the first Indian wicket keeper to take 5 dismissals in an innings on debut.

Lower order's 1st Innings performances- England vs India, 3rd Test match

The performance by England's lower order in the second innings was the only time they dismantled the Indian bowling. Joss Buttler and Ben Stokes just refused to give up. The pair had a partnership of 169 runs between them with Buttler scoring a brilliant 106 in 176 deliveries.

Overall, England's lower order contributed a total of 172 runs in 366 deliveries. The dot ball percentage being at 80.6%. For India, Hardik Pandya made a useful 52* of the total 54 runs scored by the Indian lower order.

Lower order's 2nd Innings performances- England vs India, 3rd Test match

Similar to previous two Test matches, England's lower order again made some valuable contributions.

#1: England's Pace attack lacked the spark

After seeing the first two Test matches, no one would have thought that the Indian batsmen would actually dominate the England bowlers.

Let us find out how the pacers of both the teams performed.

Jasprit Bumrah was outstanding in the second Innings for India

In the first innings, England's pacers took a total of 9 wickets conceding 264 runs. In comparison to the first two Test matches, this looked a slightly disappointing performance.

Indian pacers, on the other hand, took all 10 wickets conceding just 150 runs. For India, Hardik Pandya's outstanding spell of 6-1-28-5 was the turning point in the game.

What is also important here is to see the strike rates of both the teams. Indian bowlers had a superb strike rate of 22.6 compared England bowlers' 57.2

Pacers' 1st Innings performances- England vs India, 3rd Test match

In the second innings, England's bowlers looked even more clueless. In total, they took only 4 wickets at a poor strike rate of 120. In the process, they conceded 231 runs.

Indian bowlers on the other hand again took all 20 wickets. Jasprit Bumrah was magnificent in the second innings having taken 5 crucial wickets.

Pacers' 2nd Innings performances- England vs India, 3rd Test match

Concluding our analysis, we feel the Indian openers, the middle order and the pacers were way better than those of England.

With series now at 2-1 in England's favour, the last Two test matches are going to be very interesting.