India vs England 2021: Watch- Ben Foakes wicketkeeping skills to depart Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant

England got a dream start on Day 3 of the ongoing Test between India and England. Just within 15 minutes of day’s play, Ben Foakes wicketkeeping skills coupled with deceiving spin bowling defined Cheteshwar Pujara’s and Rohit Sharma’s journey to the pavilion. Soon, the next batsmen- Rishabh Pant also departed just after he arrived.

Pujara’s run out

https://twitter.com/1bbradfo/status/1361166143352807430?s=1002

Just when the day started and it was Moeen Ali with the bowl, Foakes gave yet another sheer display of skills behind the stumps. On a Moeen’s spin delivery Pujara stepped out, flicked it straight to short leg, and witnessed his early dismissal. The normal return to the crease was hindered as his bat got stuck into the pitch outside the crease. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope, the short leg fielder threw the ball to the keeper, where Foakes then eroded the bails. Pujara had to depart after a little contribution of seven runs.

Rohit Sharma’s stumping

https://twitter.com/ShubhmanC/status/1361173319349899269

Soon, India’s centurion of the first innings, Rohit Sharma was also outplayed by Foakes wicketkeeping skills.

On jack Leach’s bowl, Rohit Sharma stretched forward to play whilst his back foot dragged slightly little over the crease. After the third umpire’s decision precise observation under the scanner, one camera angle from the leg-side depicted evidence enough to determine that there’s nothing behind the line, and thus Rohit Sharma, after scoring 26 runs was given a red signal.

Rishabh Pant’s dismissal

https://twitter.com/cricket_cri/status/1361217398393733120

Foakes vigilance was still intact even after two smart work behind the stumps. On a flighted delivery by the left-arm spinner, Jack Leach, Pant was tempted to move out which cost him a wicket. Pant returned after scoring eight runs.

The ball came dancing down, spun and got past his inside edge with Foakes collecting and stumping the ball in no time.

With bowling skills at play on the pitch at Chepauk, Ben Foakes, the keeper in place of Jos Buttler, has set high standards behind the stumps. His excellent skills get the hosts suffering early on Day 3. His sheer brilliance behind the stumps was witnessed during India’s first innings as well.

Twitter erupted hailing Ben Foakes for his wicketkeeping skills

Barring that bad miss to stump Rohit last evening, Foakes’s glovework, like his batting, has been excellent. He had Rohit out of his crease by hardly a centimetre today. England have two early wickets to fuel some hope in an otherwise hopeless situation

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 15, 2021

A piece of misfortune for Pujara and a brilliant stumping by Foakes means England have had a dream start to the morning.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 15, 2021

#INDvENG 2nd Test Day 3 @ #Chepauk
Some excellent glove work from birthday boy Ben Foakes see the back of three Indian batsmen quite early in day's play. Pujara got run-out after his bat got stuck in the pitch, while Rohit and Pant got stumped off Leach.
IND 78/4
Lead by 273 pic.twitter.com/ipHSNbLLyC

— All About Cricket (@AllAboutCricke8) February 15, 2021

Really impressed with wicket keeping skills of Ben Foakes. To concede 0 byes in the first innings in challenging conditions is superb. Soft hands, clean collection, fast to dislodge stumps. Not seen many overseas keepers keep so well here for long time. #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/yT5HyNtV8l

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 15, 2021

Incredible Ben Foakes, 1 run-out and 2 stumping in first 30 minutes of Day 3 behind stumps – Leach finally gets his man in this series.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 15, 2021

Outstanding work from Ben Foakes, he has been so good behind the stumps. Rohit Sharma scored 187 runs in this Test with 161 in first innings and 26 in second innings.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 15, 2021

Ben Foakes ??

— Joshua Da Silva (@joshuadasilva08) February 15, 2021

When Foakes opens up while keeping his body opens up, that helps him to collect the ball when it is bouncing and jumping. He has a great head and hand position has great balance about him @englandcricket #cricket #IndvEng (2/2)

— Kiran More (@JockMore) February 15, 2021

Ben Foakes is easily one of the best wicketkeeper batsman in the world currently. Playing his first Test in India and the way he's kept wickets is simply magnificent, surprisingly he's still not England's first choice keeper.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 15, 2021

Ben Foakes reminds me of a certain wicket keeper batter from England who made us all believe ‘wicket keeping’ is a superpower. ?@Sarah_Taylor30

— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) February 15, 2021

Also read: India vs England 2021 2nd Test Day 2: Talking points as Team India take a hefty run lead