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India vs England 2024 Cricket

'Blockbuster finish on the cards' - Fans react as Day 3 of IND vs ENG Vizag Test draws to a close with both results possible

England will need a record chase if they want to win the game. The highest succesfull chase in India is 387, but 'Bazball' can make the impossible happen.

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Mathew K
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IND vs ENG 2nd Test (Source: X)

IND vs ENG 2nd Test (Source: X)

Day 3 of the second Test between India and England ended with some enthralling action, setting the stage for a blockbuster finish. Here's the equation: England need 332 runs to extend their lead 2-0 and India need 9 wickets to level the series. The home side were in the driver's seat at Stumps in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, but the visitors ended the day with both results still possible. 

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It started with James Anderson hindering India's bid to increase their first-innings lead of 143 runs. The veteran pacer nipped out captain Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal early on. The setback provided a platform for under-fire Shubman Gill to prove his mettle, which he did by smashing a splendid hundred. The right-hander, in the process of bailing out the team, forged two brilliant partnerships with Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel.

Gill had faced severe criticism for a series of low scores in Test cricket, but he shut them all down with his third ton (104 off 147 in the format. He survived a couple of close calls at the start but found the rhythm as the game progressed. Axar (45 off 84) and Ravichandran Ashwin (29 off 61) played effective cameos in helping England set a target of 399 runs. The English spinners got rid of Gill and Axer in rapid succession, helping them to shrink the Indian innings quickly. 

It's 'Bazball' vs Bumrah + Indian spin attack on Day 4 

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England will need a record chase if they want to win the game. The highest succesfull chase in India is 387, but 'Bazball' can make the impossible happen. Notably, England have scored 399+ runs in the fourth innings thrice in their Test cricket history. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett started strongly but R Ashwin provided the breakthrough for India by dismissing the left-hander.

Ashwin struck in his first over and he is just three wickets away from entering the 500 Test wicket club. Monday's first session is crucial for both teams as it could determine the course of the game. India will pin their hopes largely on Bumrah and Ashwin, while the England players will look to bring out their famous attacking play to put pressure on the opposition. 

Here's how the fans reacted to Day 3's action in the second Test between India and England:

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