England vs India 3rd Test: Six key highlights for India

India win by 203 runs to make it 2-1 with two to play

The picturesque Trent bridge stadium besides the river Trent bore witness to a comprehensive Indian victory by 203 runs. It evokes memories of Perth 2008 and Headingley 2002 for its sheer dominance. India outperformed England in each of the three departments after being obliterated at Lord's just a few days ago.

Here we look back at six key highlights for India in this epic Test win.

---

VIRAT KOHLI

Virat Kohli: Amassed 200 runs in a test for the second time in this series

Virat Kohli put on a masterclass with yet another flawless display of batting in conditions which aided seam and swing bowling. He missed out on a century in the first innings but more than made up for it in the second dig. His first innings effort was more fluent punctuated with classy drives and flicks.

In the second innings, the sheer will and determination of his personality was on display. His judgement outside the off stump was flawless and his 23rd hundred paved way for a huge 4th innings total for England to chase. He has till now amassed 440 runs while the next best batsman in the series has not even scored half as many.

Opening Partnership

Opening partnership scored more than 50 in both innings for India after 1986

Overseas success for India have been far and few in between. One major reason has been the lack of solid opening partnerships. In this Test, Dhawan and Rahul provided two fifty partnership in each innings which laid the foundation of this win. Dhawan, axed after Edgbaston, altered his bat speed and shelved the booming drive to score 35 in the first innings. He showcased a more flamboyant version in the second innings of 44.

KL Rahul altered his footwork and tried to play close to body and used the back foot play to negotiate the testing conditions on the first morning of the Test. These two solid opening stands paved way for India posting above 300 totals in both the innings.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya took his maiden

five wicket

haul and also scored a 50

Coming into this Test match, there were questions raised in the media about his place in the team. He responded with a searing spell of outswing bowling on day 2 to decimate the English middle and lower order in a space of 29 deliveries. He took advantage of the overcast conditions and used subtle change of angles on the crease to capture his maiden 5 wicket haul.

It was largely due to his efforts that India were able to shot out England for a paltry 161 in the first innings. He also scored a run a ball fifty in the second innings when India were looking to set up a declaration.

Slip Catching

India caught brilliantly in slips with Rahul amassing 7 catches in the match

Catching in the slips has been a major area of concern for the test team for close to 3 years now. India showed that they have improved immensely as they pouched almost all catches barring two drops in the second innings. KL Rahul pouched a total of 7 catches at second slip. His catch of Joe Root in the second innings was a sight for sore eyes. Kohli spectacularly pouched Pope at third slip in the second innings. India would hope that they continue their slip catching form in the remaining two games.

Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah returned with the second new ball to end England's resistance in the second innings

Returning after a thumb injury, Bumrah started off slowly in the first innings capturing two wickets. In the second innings with overs under his belt, he showed why Kohli has so much faith in him. A stuttering run-up, a whippy action and strong shoulders pose uncomfortable questions to the batsman. He used all his skill to extract appreciable seam movement with second new ball. In a searing spell of hostile fast bowling, he took out Buttler, uprooted Bairstow's off stump and bounced out Woakes. He returned on the fourth evening to take Broad's wicket and complete his second five-wicket haul in his 4-Test long career.

Middle Order

Rahane and Pujara return to form with half-centuries each

One of the major concerns in the first two matches was the form of Rahane and Pujara. Both shrugged off their string of poor scores and returned to form in this Test. Rahane scored a scintillating 82 in the first innings punctuated with good judgement and solid defence. Pujara fought his way back into form with an innings of character and patience. He scored 72 off 208 balls in the second innings and his partnership ensured that England were not allowed to come back into the match. From India's perspective, they would be hoping for better performances from these two men in the remainder of the series.