“Waiting for them to make a mistake,” Siraj reveals IND vs ENG's tactics on Day 3

New Delhi: Star pacer Mohammed Siraj unveiled Team India's bowling tactics against England on Day 3 of the Third Test between India and England at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on February 17. The hosts were on the back foot after Duckett's knock and Ashwin's withdrawal and had to counter-attack with the ball to bounce back into the match.

India succeeded in this as they bowled out the England side by 319 runs and gained a huge lead ahead of their second innings. Siraj explained India's strategy against England on day 3 at the end of day 3.

“We only had four bowlers and we had a responsibility. We knew they would attack, so we talked about staying together, knowing they would make a mistake. We didn't plan much, we were waiting for them to make a mistake,” Siraj said at the end of Day 3.

“I knew the yorker would be a good option to take wickets. The important role for a bowler is to bowl six dot balls. We know they are not used to playing six dots in a row. (On what he did during his break in the last match) Enjoyed with my family, then we had training. I did my training and then I even watched the Test match at home, and enjoyed watching Bumrah bowling yorkers,” he added.

Although captain Rohit Sharma fell cheaply, India were able to extend their lead to 322 runs by the end of day 3 with the help of a century from Yashasvi Jaiswal and a crucial fifty from Shubman Gill.

Ravichandran Ashwin's overnight withdrawal from the match due to a family medical emergency meant India were one frontline bowler short for day three. But others stepped up, with Mohammed Siraj taking 4-84, fueled mainly by a strong spell after lunch.

Kuldeep Yadav impressed in the morning with his pace, spin and variations to take two scalps, while Ravindra Jadeja also took two wickets and Jasprit Bumrah caused the collapse by dismissing Joe Root, as England lost eight wickets for just 95 runs, which gave India a 126. – lead and momentum in the match, which was not a realistic possibility in the morning.

In their second innings, Jaiswal showed restraint before attacking the English bowlers and making 104, hitting nine fours and five sixes. He retired injured shortly before stumbling due to back spasms, interrupting his 155-run stand with Gill. On the other hand, Gill also cashed in on the tiring English bowlers by batting at his own pace as he hit six fours and two sixes to remain 65 not out at stumps, with Kuldeep Yadav joining him on three not out, while India reached 196. 2 in 51 overs.