England get 5 runs on board before their first innings of 3rd Test, know the reason here

The third Test of the five-match series between India and England is progressing well in Rajkot. The home side started Day 2 on a positive note but were put on the back seat after consecutive dismissals of overnight batters Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. However, Ravichandran Ashwin and debutant Dhruv Jurel have been doing well since then, aiming to take the score beyond 450.

Advertisment

Meanwhile, a rare incident saw England awarded five penalty points during Friday's first session. On-field umpire confirmed 5 penalty runs after Ashwin ran on the protected area of the pitch while batting. In the 102nd over of India's first innings, the all-rounder pushed a delivery from Rehan Ahmed toward the off-side and ran for a single. He took 2-3 steps on the pitch before moving out of the area.

Umpire Joel Wilson, who was at the bowler's end, noticed Ashwin breaking the rule and after a brief conversation with the batter, he signaled 5 penalty runs. England, the fielding side, will get the bounce runs, meaning they will start the innings at 5/0. 

According to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws, running on the protected area of the pitch is 'unfair play'. A batter is deemed to be damaging the pitch if umpires consider his/her presence on the pitch without reasonable cause. The first warning will be issued to the entire team and will remain in effect throughout the innings. If any batter offends again in that innings, the umpire can "signal No ball or Wide to the scorers if applicable", or award 5 penalty runs to the fielding side. 

Advertisment

Notably, in India's case, all-rounder Jadeja was given a warning for running on the protected area of the pitch. With this, the umpire allowed a five-run penalty to the fielding team. 

Ashwin - Jurel partnership keeps India on front foot 

At lunch on Day 2, India were 388/7. England started the day with the wickets of Jadeja and Kuldeep. They aimed to wrap up the innings quickly, but Ashwin and Jurel had other plans. The two have put on a 50-plus partnership and look set to extend the lead further. 

Advertisment

The surface looks good to bat and with 5 runs on the board already, England will rely on their Bazball approach to counter the hosts. The visitors need a wicket in the second session, so they can easily deal with the tailenders.