Nottingham Test: India set daunting 521-run target for England

Nottingham: India declared their second innings at 352/7, setting a target of 521 runs for England to win the third Test with two days remaining at Trent Bridge here on Monday. Skipper Virat Kohli struck his 23rd Test ton, his fourth slowest century coming off 197 balls, to guide India tothe massive score. 

The hosts reached 23-0 in the nine overs they received to bat as the third day's proccedings ended. Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings were at the crease. 

Earlier, Kohli received great support from No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara (72), who forged a 113-run third wicket partnership before all-rounder Hardik Pandya struck a run-a-ball 52 to take the lead past the 500-run mark.

Kohli also crossed the 400-run mark in this series, becoming only the second Indian captain after Mohammad Azharuddin (426) to do so against England. Overall, he is the sixth Indian batsman to achieve this feat. 

India crossed 200 in the 63rd over with Kohli and Pujara bringing up their 100-run partnership off 270 balls. Things were moving along nicely when Pujara edged a Ben Stokes' (2/53) delivery to Alastair Cook at first slip against the run of play. Pujara faced 208 balls and struck nine fours. 

Kohli and Rahane then batted with purpose as India's lead continued to swell with time. England took the second new ball as soon as it became available, but to no avail.

Earlier, starting at the overnight score of 124 for 2, India had perfect conditions for batting on a humid and warm day and Kohli and Pujara looked to grind and play for time with no hurry whatsoever.

It could be seen in the manner Pujara took his sweet time to get going, even as Kohli set off quickly for the day. They scored 70 runs during the wicketless session.

James Anderson though bowled a superb spell on Monday morning and didn't let the batsmen score easily. He bowled seven overs in the first hour of play, including three maidens and gave away only seven runs.

Chris Woakes and Stokes kept things tight at the other end, particularly the latter, as the two batsmen were troubled by awkward bounce on a few occasions.

There were many play-and-miss deliveries, but nothing came forth for the bowlers. Anderson was very unlucky not to have got a reward for his efforts, as Pujara, on 40, was dropped at second slip by Jos Buttler in the 40th over of the innings.

England kept things tidy, with 63 balls passing between two boundaries during this passage of play.

However, there was reason for worry when keeper Jonny Bairstow was hit on his left middle finger in the 44th over. He went off the field, and at last news, had gone for an x-ray with Buttler taking over keeping duties.

Thereafter, Pujara reached his 18th Test half-century, his first in six innings, off 147 balls. 

Brief Scores: India: 329 all out and 352/7 (Virat Kohli 103, Cheteshwar Pujara 72, Hardik Pandya 52; Adil Rashid 3/101) Vs England: 161 all out and 23-0 (Jennings 13*, Cook 9*).

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