ENG v IND 2018: Harbhajan Singh Predicts Ashwin, Shami to be India's X-Factor on Day 3

Out of favour India spinner, Harbhajan Singh feels India has an advantage going into the 3^rd day of the opening Test against England at Edgbaston. The hosts are currently placed on 9/1, leading India by just 22 runs in the 2^nd innings.

Harbhajan Singh picks the X-factors for India on Day 3

Harbhajan who is part of the commentary panel for the Test series aid that Mohammad Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin will be vital for India’s chances on day three.

“Day 3 Advantage India… @MdShami11 @ashwinravi99 key factor going forward today..Go well boys #ENDvIND,” Harbhajan wrote on his twitter handle.

Day 3 advantage india ?? @MdShami11 @ashwinravi99 key factor going forward today…Go well boys ??? #ENGVIND pic.twitter.com/oaVrxTJW3q

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 3, 2018

Both Ashwin and Shami were the pick of the Indian bowlers in the first innings. Ashwin in particular silenced his critics with a brilliant spell of bowling. He turned the ball quite sharply and ended up bagging four wickets for just 60 runs.

Shami who had a strenuous three months came back strongly and bagged three crucial wickets. He bowled in the right areas and made the pitch and the Duke ball do the rest of the talking.

Ashwin and Kohli were the stars for India in the 1st innings 

Ravichandran Ashwin provided the much-needed breakthrough in the final over of day two, as he got rid-off, Alastair Cook.

It was an action replay of the 1^st innings. The ball pitched just outside the leg stump and turned quite sharply to take the top of the off stump. Meanwhile coming back to the match, it was a masterclass from the blade of Indian skipper Virat Kohli which helped them claw their way back into the game.

Touted as a flat track bully, Virat Kohli buried the demons of England and went on to smash a spectacular 149 off 225 deliveries which studded with 22 fours and a solitary six. It was one of his greatest Test knocks.

However, the India captain got dropped on a couple of occasions and edged at least 3-4 times in the slip cordon as well. However, it was the grit and determination which came to Kohli’s rescue.

Virat batted quite superbly with the tail-enders. The skipper brought up 92 runs with the last two batters Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav.