KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja help India earn 95-run 1st innings lead

India’s Ravindra Jadeja celebrates his half-century against England in Nottingham yesterday. Pic/AFP

England were 25 for no loss in their second innings when play ended early on the third day of the opening Test against India here on Friday owing to rain. India were bowled out for 278 in their first innings, which gave them a healthy lead of 95 runs. England trailed by 70 runs with Rory Burns (11) and Dom Sibley (9) at the crease.

Earlier, the sword came out again, this time meaning Ravindra Jadeja has justified his selection in the team, which gave India a priceless first-innings lead of 95 runs over England. The chatter around all-rounder Jadeja being preferred over specialist off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin would stop for the time being as the optimistic visitors focus on things more important to take them closer to victory and a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Ollie Robinson

By the time the two teams took tea break on the third day, England were 11 for no loss in their second innings.

Rahul makes 84

While opener KL Rahul laid the foundation for the visitors with an 84 off 214 balls, Jadeja snatched the initiative with his characteristic enterprise, hitting eight fours and a six in his 56 off 86 deliveries at Trent Bridge.

With it, the lively cricketer has paid in full the faith the team management showed in him while making the big move to leave out the seasoned Ashwin from the playing XI at the expense of a man who can bat a little better than the off-spinner, who himself is no mug with the bat in cricket's top-flight.

Robinson gets a fifer

For England, medium pacer Ollie Robinson emerged as the most successful bowler as he bagged an impressive 5-85, leading the team out in the presence of legends such as James Anderson, who finished with figures of 4-54 from 23 overs, not bad for a 39-year-old.

Actually, too good as he is now third in all-time bowlers' list behind Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne with 621 wickets.

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