India vs England Highlights, 5th Test Day 3: Pujara hits fifty, Pant in control; IND lead by 257 runs at stumps

England have scored runs at a rollicking speed, thanks to Bairstow's unbeaten 91 off 113. Let's hope we get a lot more cricket in the second session. Players head towards the middle... we are moments away from the resumption.

ENG 200-6

Good news!!! The covers are coming off and umpires even had an inspection. It's 'Bairstow vs Indian bowlers' and let's hope the second session carries on without any rain hiccups. Stay tuned for Live updates!

"If no further rain, play to restart at 1.30 PM local (6 PM IST)," tweets the BCCI… fingers crossed!

The play was going to restart at 17:25 IST. The rain has faded away but the covers are still on. We have no option but to play the waiting game.

Stokes danced down the track against Shami and miscued the ball. But Shardul dropped the skier at cover. Shardul suffered Shami's grief when Bumrah gave Stokes another reprieve. The England captain, however, perished on the next delivery after Bumrah grabbed a stunning diving catch.

Bairstow then led England's spirited fightback, joined by Sam Billings, before a drizzle forced early lunch. England still 216 behind but the gap could be minimized in no time if Bairstow keeps going.

England 200-6 at lunch

As rain halted the play, Bairstow walked off the field with none of Indian fielders trying to have a go at him. An on-field altercation with India's Virat Kohli appeared to fire up the Englishman, who was fluent to score his fourth consecutive Test fifty. A well-deserved hundred is very much on the cards…

A counter-attacking 91* has helped Bairstow consolidate his position in a special batting list. He is now the leading Test run-scorer in 2022.

865* Jonny Bairstow

822 Usman Khwaja

785 Joe Root

Bairstow looks to reach the three-figure mark, while India are left with a few questions. Is it time for Bumrah to pass the ball to Jadeja?

While Pant came out to play a bit of ‘Bazball’, Bairstow turned up for England in response to India's imposing 416. Billings has been sedate but the spotlight will be on Bairstow as he looks to continue his stellar form in Test cricket. Watching him shift gears has been the highlight so far... stay tuned for further updates!

ENG 200-6

We had quite a session so far! Shardul putting down Stokes could have been costly but the England skipper perished after Bumrah grabbed a stunner diving to his left. Unperturbed by Stokes' exit, Bairstow was his free-flowing self, taking England to 200 with his merciless hitting.

Bairstow has hit 12 fours and 2 sixes en route to 91 off 113. Sam Billings is unbeaten on 7.

Bairstow has been ruthless and seems like the ‘Bazball’ isn't stopping anytime soon... Lunch has been taken and England have comfortably dominated the opening session so far. But they still trail by 216 runs.

ENG 200-6

The rain has ruined a spectacle but it's not a heavy shower. Hoping that the drizzle subsides soon... stay tuned for further updates!

ENG 200-6

Oh no!!! Just when the crowd had started enjoying the passage of play, English weather has intervened the play. Players head back to the dressing room.

The finger goes up... and Bairstow has reviewed it straightaway. UltraEdge shows a spike and umpire has to reverse his decision. Shardul had almost gone the dangerous one.

ENG 198-6

Jasprit Bumrah is back into the attack. Much-needed for India at this stage when Bairstow seems in league of his own. He has been merciless so far, writing a different kind of script on the third day.

ENG 197-6

Ruthless stuff!!! Bairstow swipes one off his legs for a four and then bangs one straight into the stands... an 87m six over mid-wicket! 11 runs off Shardul's over and Bairstow has reached 88 off 106 balls.

ENG 196-6

Almost there!!! Bairstow chips it to short mid-wicket wicket but it falls inches short of Cheteshwar Pujara. Thakur's slower delivery had almost got him.

ENG 185-6

Bairstow in the league of his own. Siraj drags one short and Bairstow dispatches it for a 73m six over square leg. Six runs! Looks like the Bazball isn't stopping anytime soon…

ENG 185-6

Seems like the cheery is out of shape, thanks to Bairstow's thrashing. A box of balls is on the field and umpires change it after finding one of similar hardness. Bairstow has been splendid so far... but England still have a mountain to climb. They trail by 238 runs.

England 178-6

Leading run-scorers in Test cricket (2022)

834* Jonny Bairstow

822 Usman Khawaja

785 Joe Root

659 Liton Das

641 Daryl Mitchell

Couple of slips for Shardul but he starts off with a short ball against Bairstow, who upper-cuts it easily over slips. Bairstow follows it up with sheer timing, punching one square of the wicket. Consecutive boundaries for the batter who is now top run-scorer of 2022 in Test cricket.

ENG 178-6

Elegant! Bairstow isn't throwing his bat but retaining his place while playing his shots. He clears the in-field comfortably with a whip over mid-wicket. Four runs!

ENG 164-6

Bairstow looking in command despite Stokes' exit. He lofts it to mid-off and gets a boundary on the last ball of Siraj's over. The first hour isn't easy to bat but Bairstow has been in complete control -- a testament to his batting form.

ENG 159-6

Even Stokes was left amused by the catch! It was hit hard by the English skipper but Bumrah did well to hold on to the catch. Stokes was dropped twice but he finally runs out of luck. Billings joins Bairstow in the middle.

ENG 153-6

Taken!!! Bumrah dropped a sitter but he took an absolute screamer on the very next delivery. Stokes creamed that but Bumrah dived to his left to grab the catch. Stokes falls for 25 and Shardul enters the wickets column!