Our Bureau
London
The Indian team in the 4th Test of the series is in a position that not many would envy as of Day 3 of the match. English batters have dominated the game ever since the start of the innings giving Indian bowlers little to no chance of getting back in the game. However, there came a chance where Joe Root received a massive lifeline after a fielding error from Anshul Kamboj and the debutant got blasted for that by Ravindra Jadeja, the most senior member of the team.
In the first session of Day 3, during the 54th over of the England innings, Root swayed a delivery from Mohammed Siraj towards the gully region. The fielder at gully did his best but could only get a hand to it, but Jadeja, India’s best fielder, was quick to grab the ball and aim it at the stumps.
Root was nowhere close to the crease when the throw nearly missed the wickets and it was evident that if there was a fielder covering the stumps, Root would’ve been sent packing. Kamboj, who was fielding at mid-on, didn’t move towards the stump and Jadeja was not happy with the debutant’s effort. It was clearly evident in his expressions as he blasted Kamboj for not taking his place behind the stumps.
India paid heavy price for giving Root a lifeline as the English batter didn’t miss a beat and went on to score his 38th century in the longest format of the game. Not only that, Root moved past three of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket history in Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid to become the second highest run scorer standing just behind the ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar. He also moved past Steve Smith to become the batter with most centuries against India.
