Third Test: England reach 78/4, trail by 56 runs vs India

India's premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin led from the front, claiming three wickets to reduce England to 78/4 at stumps on day three of the third Test at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) I.S. Bindra Stadium here on Monday.

After conceding a 134-run lead in the first innings, England kept losing their top order -- skipper Alastair Cook (12), Moeen Ali (5), Jonny Bairstow (15) and Ben Stokes (5) -- in quick succession, to still trail by 56 runs.

Joe Root, who opened the innings in place of injured Haseeb Hameed, was unbeaten on 36 along with night-watchman Gareth Batty (0) when the umpires removed the bails.

Brief Scores: England 283, 78/4 (Joe Root 36 not out, Jonny Bairstow 15, Ravichandran Ashwin 3/19) vs India 417

--IANS

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