India claimed the prize wicket of England captain Joe Root as the first Specsavers Test at Edgbaston remained on a knife edge.
England resumed 22 runs ahead on the third morning knowing spinner Ravi Ashwin was a huge danger to them setting the tourists a tough target.
Ashwin took the opening honours as he removed Root and Keaton Jennings and England were 52 for three after the first hour – a lead of 65.
A turning delivery caught the shoulder of Jennings’ bat and Lokesh Rahul took a sharp catch at second slip to dismiss him for eight.
Root had batted watchfully in making his way to 14 but fell after Ashwin changed to a more attacking line to the right-hander.
It’s Muggy in Birmingham ….. #ENGvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 3, 2018
Ashwin went round the wicket and Root flicked the ball off his hips for Rahul to take another excellent catch at leg-slip.
Dawid Malan (17 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (five not out) ensured no further losses for England in the opening hour, though the former was fortunate to escape an edge which fell just short of first slip.
Before the start of play, Virat Kohli was said to have had an “informal chat” with match referee Jeff Crowe, who reminded the India captain of his responsibilities after his controversial celebration of Root’s dismissal on Thursday.
