Test 3 Day 2 - The unlikeliest Indian of them all..

Anil Kumble makes England suffer

England consigned to the point of no return by Kumble century

The jewel in Jumbo's crown

Kumble tops it for India with 100 No. 1

India 664, England 21-1: Kumble's batting heroics put India on brink of historic series victory

Kumble's century drives England towards abyss as India bury remorse
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It was satisfying to see cricketers of this calibre prepared to work so fiercely at the crease. Even as age takes its toll upon their powers, true sportsmen continue to serve their side with modesty and judgement.
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There remains the small matter of a Test to be won. And a series. And three days to do it in.

Test 3 Day1 - India consolidate

India's game plan going into this test was simple enough - bat once, bat big and bat England out of the test and the series.

And for this, India needed to bat- for time and runs.

Every run scored by India is a run that England has to top and every over consumed by India is one less over for England to establish themselves on the game.

India did a fair job in this regard - 316/4 in 90 overs is testimony to that. However, England has kept itself in contention with timely wickets - Jaffer just after the first drinks interval, Dravid and Karthik just before the tea interval and Ganguly just before the new ball was due.

Talking of playing for time and runs, I think Sachin Tendulkar has done a sterling job so far for India. By scoring 48 not out in 132 balls played over 3+ hours means that the runs, overs and hours have been taken care of thus far.

The onus is on India now to consolidate even further on Day 2. The trick is in playing for at least 150 overs which will put India's score in the region of 525-550 given the current rate of scoring. Any additional sessions/runs are a huge bonus.

Alternatively, England will look to stem the rot with the new ball first thing tomorrow morning. Limit India to less that 450 and England will have time on their side. And with conditions supposed to be their best on Days 2 and 3, any score less than 450 should not challenge the Poms to any great extent.

All to play for then. Roll on Day 2.