England vs India: Ravichandran Ashwin and Virat Kohli put India in complete command

India are on course for a big series-levelling win after commendable knocks from Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin helped India set a mammoth target of 482. Having picked his 29th fifer in the 1st innings, the all-rounder built on his bowling form, slamming his fifth Test century. 

In reply, England are reeling at 53 for three at stumps on Day 3. With still 429 runs adrift, the visitors will need a special effort from their middle order to overhaul the mountainous target. They did not get the innings off to a good start, losing Dom Sibley in the 8th over. Axar Patel trapped Sibley plumb in front of the wickets. Rory Burns, who began the innings with positive intent, played down the wrong line and holed out to Virat Kohli in the second slip. The nightwatchman Jack Leach didn't trouble the scorers, falling prey to Axar Patel for a first-ball duck. 

After being reduced to 106 for 6 at one stage, Virat Kohli paired up with R Ashwin to help India extend their mammoth lead. The pair was successful in doing so, adding 96 runs for the seventh wicket. The skipper oozed class throughout the innings. He struck a fine 62 off 149 balls on a track where a lot of batsmen struggled to muster runs. Kohli got an able partner in Ashwin. The latter's century had class written all over it. He struck 14 boundaries and a six during his stay in the middle. The hosts' second innings came to a halt at 286, shortly after Ashwin scored his century. 

Joe Root and Daniel Lawrence will have a mountainous task ahead as they resume their innings tomorrow. They will only need a miracle to save the Test against a formidable Indian bowling unit.