No help for bowlers in post-lunch session was problem: Pandya

The lack of assistance for bowlers during the post-lunch session on the third day was a major reason for England's complete control over India in the second Test, feels all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

England are now 250 runs ahead after finishing the third day at 357 for 6 after being reduced to 131 for 5 at one stage.

It was a 189-run sixth wicket stand between Chris Woakes (120 batting) and Jonny Bairstow (93) that has virtually killed the contest. India will now need a miracle to make a comeback.

"Nothing happened (after lunch). That was the problem. As a bowling unit, we tried but all of a sudden the ball stopped swinging and they Woakes and (Jonny) Bairstow took the game away," Pandya reasoned after the end of third day's play.

"It happens I've seen in Tests. You get four or five wickets quickly and then you get one partnership. Even with our batting line-up, it has happened many times. It's just a part of the game," Pandya said.

India started playing a catch-up game only having scored a paltry 107 in their first innings in bowling friendly conditions.

But Pandya believes that even England would have struggled in those conditions.

"Any team would have got the same score which we got because playing in those conditions (was tough), a little drizzle was there, and wicket got a little wet as well.

"Today the conditions were different. When we bowled today, there was proper sunlight. The wicket was the ideal one, which we would have expected on the first day. But because of the conditions, the pitch started doing a lot."
"We did enough and we bowled properly. We gave whatever we had to give. As I told you, today's wicket was the wicket we expected and it was a proper call."
"If I am batting, I think as a batsman and if I am bowling, I think as a bowler. I don't have any one particular role."
He further added: "My role when I bowl, I like to keep it tight and try to make sure that the batsman make mistakes. I don't try much stuff. Keep it tight and let's see what they do. And we know that they love to play shots and playing like that you will tend to make one mistake. We were expecting that they will (make mistakes)."