England bowled exceptionally well, says leg-spinner Rashid

Mohali, Nov 27: England's leg-spinner Adil Rashid lauded the bowlers for maintaining a good line and length to put the visitors back in contention in the third cricket Test against India here on Sunday.

India posted 271/6 in their first innings, trailing England by 12 runs at the end of the second day's play with Ravichandran Ashwin (57 batting) and Ravindra Jadeja (31 batting) at the crease.

Rashid (3/81) struck in only the second over after tea as the well set Chestehwar Pujara (51) was caught by Chris Woakes on the leg-side. He had earlier claimed opener Parthiv Patel's (42) wicket.

The leg-spinner again struck in his very next over, trapping Ajinkya Rahane (0) leg before. Rahane, who lasted all of six balls, was outfoxed by the spin as the ball hit front pad, plumb in front of the wicket.

Rashid's guile gave England a fighting chance to bowl India out cheaply in the first innings.

"We bowled exceptionally well. It was a good effort with the ball and in the field. It was a very important final session. You stick to your plans long enough, you get wickets," Rashid said after the match.

Commenting on the Mohali pitch which traditionally favours fast bowlers, Rashid, who scalped three wickets, said: "The pitch seems good enough. I feel okay but at times you don't feel as good; that is when you have to dig deep."

"It was nice to have that variation on a good spot against Rahane. We have still got four wickets tom get. Not looking that far ahead (our batting)," he added.