Broad show narrows India after a monumental century from Dravid

From a respectable score of 267-4, India crumbled to 288 all out under Broad's incredible performance. This includes a hat-trick from the man, who has already emerged an effective all-rounder with a batting display that took the host team from 124 for 8.

Till 267 for 4, it was the show of the partnership between Yuvaraj and Dravid. Dravid scored his 34th century and 2nd in a row for the series. It was a  knock that has made the fans of Sachin think twice as who is the better batsmen of the two. Dravid's big knock and Laxman's knock all along has produced better results for India. Dravid has paced his innings admirably well. He knew where his off-stump was. He did the famous grind that made commentators comment that he is the more than the  Great Wall of China. To me, this is the best innings I have seen from Dravid's bat. It had all the elements - guts, determination, focus, team man, grace. His 10 out of 15 fours were in the 'V'.

After Mohinder Amarnath, it is now Yuvaraj, who has made several come backs even at the age prime age of 29. His innings was class part. His calculated risk along with Dravid, against Swann, who was plundered for 72 runs in 12 overs, made India recover quickly after the exit of Raina and Sachin. His cover drive against the faster bowlers were a treat to watch. Dravid's 128 run partnership with Yuvaraj had put India on the front foot before the onslaught of Broad.

Earlier Laxman's class act and his 93 run partnership with Dravid put India on the front foot. Then what followed was similar to the 2nd innings of Lords where quick wickets fell and suddenly Indian's found themselves in a spot of bother - Again the wicket of Sachin and Raina were on their own making than of the quality of England. Sachin's performance in this series so far, is abysmal to say the least.

Broad was sensational. He stromed back into this Test, keeping India down to a lead of 67 - He took the first  hat-trick at his home ground, removing MS Dhoni, Bhajji and Praveen Kumar as India went from 267 for 4 to 288 all out. His lethal spell read 5.1-2-5-5

The match has again opened the flood gates and Strauss would feel that Broad's show has propelled England one more inch closer to win the series. But I still feel that 67 runs is a good lead for India - All Indian's have to do is restrict England to under 250. This would allow then to chase around 200 only. Go for the Kill India....!!