Jonny Bairstow blasts glorious century but India remain on top of England

England’s apparent reinvention as a fearless chasing team in Test cricket this summer is heading for its stiffest examination following a lively third day in which not even Jonny Bairstow’s latest celestial century could prevent India taking full control.

By stumps, as Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad prepared to plunge their weary feet into ice and an already thinned out crowd headed for the exits, the tourists had reached 125 for three from 45 overs. Chesteshwar Pujara had grafted his way to an unbeaten 50, Rishabh Pant sat an ominous 30 not out, and the 132‑run lead they had earlier secured by rolling England for 284 had swelled to 257.

But for Bairstow raiding his fifth Test century of the year and the 11th of his career – a rollicking 106 from 140 balls that featured 14 fours and two mighty sixes – the situation would have been worse. As it is, barring a miracle in the morning, England face a target well in excess of those blitzed against New Zealand (279, 299 and 296) plus a bowling attack that, with all due respect to Trent Boult et al, is superior.

There appears little chance of any of them approaching it like Pujara, either. The right-hander lost his opening partner, Shubman Gill, in the first over of the innings when Jimmy Anderson found the youngster’s edge but responded impressively, getting his head down for a 139‑ball vigil that sucked the life out of England’s bowlers.

There were a couple more wins for the hosts along the way. Hanuma Vihari drove Broad to third slip on 11, while Virat Kohli’s crisp 20 was shut down when Ben Stokes found his edge with a brute and Joe Root plucked a one-handed catch at slip after Sam Billings had fumbled. Overall, however, it became increasingly hard to see past India turning