India vs England 3rd Test: 5 Talking Points

The Indian cricket team find themselves in the driver's seat at the end of Day 3 with a lead of over 500 runs with 2 whole days left to play. After two major losses, the stronghold that India has over this Test, is a welcome sight. Here are 5 talking points about the match so far.

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#1 The other batsmen finally step up

Pujara smashes Rashid over mid-wicket!

After Rahane scored a magnificent half-century in the first innings, we saw Pujara put up a valiant display in the second innings, with a fighting 72 of 208 balls. Dhawan has been good too, with 80 runs in this Test match.

To see these batsman performing is great news for the Indian contingent as this means that Kohli won't have to share the entire batting pressure by himself.

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#2 England's slip catching woes continue

Jimmy's not happy!

Once again, Keyton Jennings dropped Virat Kohli at 93 today, he might have only scored 10 runs more, but this trend of dropped catches is alarming. Dawid Malan at Edgbaston, Butler at Lords and now Jennings at Trent Bridge.

England will have to do something about their slip catching if they are to have a chance at winning the following two test matches.

#3 The Trent Bridge pitch has confused everyone

Ashwin could be crucial in the second innings

This Trent bridge pitch started off with a green top and looked a much better bowling pitch on Day 1, however, both teams have managed to score a total of 800 runs within 3 days and the batsmen don't seem to have a problem facing the seamers.

Is it the hot English summer finally starting to have an effect on the pitch or is it just incredible batting by India? If its the latter, then it is a welcome sign for the visitors, who have struggled in batting for a major part of the series.

#4 Hardik Pandya steps up

Could he indeed be the next Kapil Dev?

With an incredible fifer in the previous innings and a well-played quick-fire half-century in the 3rd innings, Hardik is proving his critics wrong. Maybe India's long search for an all-rounder who can bowl good pace and hit big shots in any condition has finally ended.

#5 King Kohli

King Kohli !

You cannot not mention Virat Kohli, the guy who has been absolutely phenomenal this series averaging over 70 runs with two centuries and a half-century in 6 innings.

With the world's best batsman in full flow and the team slowly solving its other issues like the other batsman are now playing well or the lack of a good swing bowler, solved by Bumrah returning or the lower-middle order which looks much stronger with Pant, Hardik and Ashwin looking good, India are in prime position to clinch this test match.