| 0.0 : Let's begin by saying India are going through a lot and I'm not talking about cricket. They celebrated their 72nd Independence Day a few days back and since then it's been tragedy after tragedy. First the news of Ajit Wadekar's demise plunged the cricketing world into mourning and the very next day an iconic political leader and the former Prime Minister, Shree Atal Bihari Vajpayee breathed his last. Both leaving a lasting legacy. The country trying to recover from these huge losses and the news |
| As the saying goes, the show must go on. We welcome you all and thank you for joining us for the third Test match between England and India at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. One team has a problem of plenty wherein the other team has a plenty of problem. The hosts are 2-0 ahead after demolishing the tourists at Lord’s and will be trying to seal the series here itself. On the other hand, India have their backs to the wall and appear to be struggling to get the right combination. Let's see how they g |
| Pitch Report - Sanjay Manjrekar says the weather possibilities (referring to rain) are less for the next 5 days. Further adds temperature has dropped and it feels cooler. Reckons the surface has liberal cover of grass with green as well as brown sheen underneath the fresh crop. Expects it to be dry, and spinners would come into play from Day 3 onward. Adds that the seamers will enjoy bowling on this pitch, specially early on in the day. Ends by saying that the pitch may suit the Indian batsmen. |
| TOSS - England win the toss and elect to bowl. |
| Joe Root says he will bowl first as there is a lot of grass on the track and they'll look to make most of it. Further adds that they are bowling well right now and these are good conditions for their fast bowlers to exploit. Informs that Ben Stokes comes in for Sam Curran and reckons that Adil Rashid may come in play later on as the pitch gets drier. Asserts that they are excited as a team and would look to continue with the same momentum that they have carried up to now. Ends by saying that the |
| Virat Kohli says that they wanted to bat first. He believes there is grass on the pitch but it looks like a good batting track underneath. Adds that the batsmen are looking to be positive and enter with a mindset to score runs. Expects surface to slow down after a couple of days and reckons that the spinners may come into play later on in the match. Admits that this is a very important match for them but staying in the moment and being positive is what they will be focusing on. Informs about a f |
| Avada Kedavra! Boom-tish! With some black magical prayers' to keep the rains away, we are all set for the third Test. Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul are out in the middle and are wearing black armbands to mourn the death of the former captain, Ajit Wadekar. James Anderson, as expected, has the new cherry in his hand. Four slips in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Starts with a little bit of curve in the first ball. The ball lands on a length and comes back into Dhawan from off. Well defended. |
| 0.2 : J Anderson to Dhawan, A touch too straight this time. Pitches on middle and goes towards fine leg. Dhawan flicks it through deep fine leg and takes a couple. First runs on the board for India and Dhawan. |
| 0.3 : J Anderson to Dhawan, On a length around middle and off, blocked. |
| 0.4 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Full and down the leg side. As per the theories, Anderson doesn't get it right to the left-hander's straightaway. Dhawan looks to flick it but misses. |
| 0.5 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Dhawan shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 0.6 : J Anderson to Dhawan, On a length angling away from the Shikhar who let's one through. So, a rather ordinary over considering the previous matches. No wicket this time. India rejoice! |
| Stuart Broad is into the attack. |
| 1.1 : S Broad to Rahul, Starts with a good length delivery in the channel outside off, not much evident movement, Rahul has a comfortable leave to make. |
| 1.2 : S Broad to Rahul, Another delivery which has been served in the zone outside off, Rahul is very cautious as he walks across a bit before leaving it unplayed. |
| 1.3 : S Broad to Rahul, This time Broad brings a good length ball back into the batsman. It's more towards the off stump line and Rahul is forced to play at it. He does so from the back foot and blocks it down safely. |
| 1.4 : S Broad to Rahul, Oohhh...a play and a miss! This wasn't too far away from the outside edge. Once again the angle is around the off stump line, forcing the batsman on the front foot but the late away movement beats the outside edge of Rahul's bat who was looking to defend. |
| 1.5 : S Broad to Rahul, Broad has still not hit the top pace. A gentle one in the corridor outside off, KL watches the line, covers his stumps and allows it through. |
| 1.6 : S Broad to Rahul, Angling into the batsman from a length around off, Rahul defends it from the crease to end a pretty innocuous over. |
| 2.1 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Fullish, angled across Shikhar who lets it be outside his off stump. |
| 2.2 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Watchful Dhawan lets another one through outside his off stump. |
| 2.3 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 2.4 : J Anderson to Dhawan, No prodigious movement for James as of now as Dhawan lefts angled ball outside his off to the keeper. |
| 2.5 : J Anderson to Dhawan, The ball hits Dhawan low on the pads and rolls towards short fine leg. One run stolen. The Umpire signals Leg Bye. |
| 2.6 : J Anderson to Rahul, Easy leave for Rahul. Anderson keeps it tight on the fifth stump to end the over. |
| 3.1 : S Broad to Dhawan, Too wide outside off, Dhawan lets it be. |
| 3.2 : S Broad to Dhawan, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 3.3 : S Broad to Dhawan, Closer the off pole, straightening just a tad. Dhawan taps it to the off side for nothing. |
| 3.4 : S Broad to Dhawan, Ooh! No, no, no, you can't do that here mate. This is England and the ball moves like a yo-yo here. Got to keep those hands closer to the body. Dhawan goes after a beauty on a length just outside off. Due to the angle Broad is creating from 'round the wicket, it lands and goes away from Dhawan who misses it. |
| 3.5 : S Broad to Dhawan, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 3.6 : S Broad to Dhawan, Jaffa! Dhawan is late on it. He didn't judge the line or the length off this one. A 'Broad-length' ball just outside off, it whizzes past the inside of Dhawan bat. A cracker of an over from Broad, first maiden as well. |
| 4.1 : J Anderson to Rahul, On middle and leg, Rahul taps it to the off side and scampers for a run. |
| 4.2 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Another play and a miss from Dhawan. He goes after the widish ball and fails to connect. |
| 4.3 : J Anderson to Dhawan, FOUR! And the pressure is released. A gentle losener on the pads, Dhawan flicks and gets it through backward square leg for the first boundary of the morning. Anderson is looking off colored, to be honest. |
| 4.4 : J Anderson to Dhawan, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 4.5 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Outside off, worked to the off side for no run. |
| 4.6 : J Anderson to Dhawan, FOUR! Up and over the slip cordon and it goes to the third man boundary. Dhawan flashes hard at the back of a length and as a result, it goes over. A good over for India nonetheless. |
| 5.1 : S Broad to Rahul, FOUR! Pure class and timing on this one. That's Rahul for you. A fullish ball closer to the off pole, Rahul prods forward and middles the ball nicely. It races through cover-point and Ben has no chance of stopping it. |
| 5.2 : S Broad to Rahul, KL shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot to the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 5.3 : S Broad to Dhawan, Dhawan lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 5.4 : S Broad to Dhawan, Hangs back and keeps it out. |
| Michael Holding and David Lloyd appear to be in a trolling mood this morning. First the West Indian displays his dry humour by saying that the Indian players are wearing black armbands and that's not because they are 0-2 down in the series. Then, he points to Root who was shining the ball and jokes that the best way to roughen up one side will be to use a sandpaper and Bumble also joins him in that. The former pacer quickly asks him, is he indicating towards a particular team? That's quite cheek |
| 5.5 : S Broad to Dhawan, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 5.6 : S Broad to Dhawan, Dhawan moves across and defends the back of a length ball to the on side for nothing. 5 runs in this over. |
| 6.1 : J Anderson to Rahul, Fuller, coming in with the angle and then jagging away after pitching. KL let's it be. |
| 6.2 : J Anderson to Rahul, Right-hander's nightmare is this man, and here he shows why. Another angled ball, just a tad shorter then the previous one and moving away from KL after pitching. He fails to put bat to ball. |
| 6.3 : J Anderson to Rahul, Rahul shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 6.4 : J Anderson to Rahul, On the fifth stumps, Rahul ignores it. |
| 6.5 : J Anderson to Rahul, Easy peasy for Rahul to let this one through outside off. He needs to be watchful of the one coming back into him. |
| 6.6 : J Anderson to Rahul, Testing stuff from the talisman. Another beauty just outside off and beating the hanging bat of Rahul. No harm done in the end. |
| 7.1 : S Broad to Dhawan, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 7.2 : S Broad to Dhawan, Too wide, SD has no interest in those. |
| 7.3 : S Broad to Dhawan, Oohs and aahs all around the ground as Broad moves the ball like Beckham. A just short of a length ball, pitching just outside off and it moves away after pitching, beating Dhawan all ends up. |
| 7.4 : S Broad to Dhawan, FOUR! Being a bowler myself, I can relate to what Broad wanted to do there, but its not advisable to say the least. To move it further away from Dhawan, he bowls this one on middle and looks to swing it away from him, however, it wasn't to be. Dhawan easily clips the length which drops on his hips. A boundary through the vacant fine leg region. |
| 7.5 : S Broad to Dhawan, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 7.6 : S Broad to Dhawan, FOUR! Goodness me, that was close. Dhawan will take it. A length ball on off and coming into the batsman who is late on the shot. The ball takes the inside half of the bat and another boundary through the fine leg region results. |
| 8.1 : J Anderson to Rahul, Outside off, easy leave for KL. |
| 8.2 : J Anderson to Rahul, Tentative Rahul does not fiddle with the wide ball. |
| 8.3 : J Anderson to Rahul, Shows the full face and blocks it. |
| 8.4 : J Anderson to Rahul, Rahul lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 8.5 : J Anderson to Rahul, On middle, on length, Rahul works it through mid-wicket and runs a single. |
| 8.6 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Another easy leave outside off as the score moves to 26/0 after 9 overs. |
| Ben Stokes is on as the first change. |
| 9.1 : Ben Stokes to L Rahul, Ben starts the over with a shortish ball on middle and off, Rahul half-pulls it to deep mid-wicket and runs a single. |
| 9.2 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, FOUR! Thrashed! Dhawan gets some width on this angled length ball and he does not miss. He gets into poistion quickly and flashes hard to pierce the gap through the covers. |
| 9.3 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, On the hips, Dhawan fails to put bat to ball as it hits his pad. A leg bye stolen. |
| 9.4 : Ben Stokes to Rahul, Gets on his toes to keep the back of a length ball. |
| 9.5 : Ben Stokes to Rahul, Play the length ball with soft hands and gets to the other end easily. Good start this from India. |
| 9.6 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, Excellent stuff from the duo. This time Dhawan uses the soft hands and taps the ball to the off side for another quick single. |
| 10.1 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Back of a length ball from around the wicket on off. Dhawan defends it. |
| 10.2 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Was that intentional? I don't think so. James brings one in to SD who looks to get his bat away from the line but the ball goes off the outside edge towards the slip cordon. Soft hands and playing it late helped him there. |
| 10.3 : J Anderson to Dhawan, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 10.4 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Wowza! Anderson is asking some difficult questions now. An in-swinger on middle and off, Dhawan gets it to short square leg fielder off the inner half of the bat. |
| 10.5 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Hangs back to play this one though covers. A run results. |
| 10.6 : J Anderson to Rahul, KL lets the ball go outside his off stump. A testing over from James. |
| 11.1 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, A length ball coming in to the left-hander who lets it be for the keeper by keeping his bat behind his pad. |
| 11.2 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, FOUR! Short, wide and punished. Dhawan hasn't let any opportunity to score go past him. He crunches this one through covers and finds the gap. |
| 11.3 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, Keeps his bat away from the line of the ball and lets it be. |
| 11.4 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 11.5 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, Comes forward and works this one to mid off. One run taken. |
| 11.6 : Ben Stokes to Rahul, Good stuff Stokes as well as Rahul. A back of a length ball coming in with the angle. KL manages to defend adjacent to the pitch on the on side. A quick run stolen. Excellent stuff from this duo. They have been pro active in their approach and hasn't done much wrong this morning. |
| 12.1 : J Anderson to Rahul, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 12.2 : J Anderson to Rahul, Some width on this one as Rahul gets into the position quickly to cut but couldn't get it past the gully fielder. |
| 12.3 : J Anderson to Rahul, Outside off, left alone. |
| 12.4 : J Anderson to Rahul, Similar stuff from the bowler and the batsman. |
| 12.5 : J Anderson to Rahul, Rahul showing some good temperament here. He is adamant not to play the wide deliveries outside off. He lets another one through. |
| 12.6 : J Anderson to Rahul, Brilliant again. A leave to the ball outside off. You need to put your heart and mind into your batting to survive Anderson's bowling. This pair has done that efficiently till now. |
| 13.1 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, Around off, Dhawan comes forward and manages to keep it away from his pads. |
| 13.2 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, Just outside off, cut to point. |
| 13.3 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, Jeez! Stokes is keeping SD in check. A length ball jagging back in prodigiously. Dhawan gets the inner half of the bat to fine leg for a run. Had he missed that, it could have been tight. |
| 13.4 : Ben Stokes to Rahul, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 13.5 : Ben Stokes to Rahul, In that same channel outside where KL has been more than willing to leave the ball. |
| 13.6 : Ben Stokes to Rahul, Nothing to do with the ball outside off again. |
| Chris Woakes is on. |
| 14.1 : C Woakes to Dhawan, Woakes bowls a shortish ball first up. Dhawan blocks it. |
| 14.2 : C Woakes to Dhawan, Waokes at it again, right where he left in the last game. A back of a length ball moving away from the Dhawan who fails to put bat to ball. |
| 14.3 : C Woakes to Dhawan, Similar delivery from Chris and Shikhar keeps his bat away from the line. |
| 14.4 : C Woakes to Dhawan, A touch too straight this time on the pads, Dhawan flicks it through fine leg for a run. |
| 14.5 : C Woakes to Rahul, Gets beaten! Rahul looks to cut the length ball outside off and misses it. |
| 14.6 : C Woakes to Rahul, Last ball before the drinks break. Rahul shoulders his arms to the ball outside off. End of a good session for India. |
| Drinks! Drinks have been called by the umpires. A much needed cuppa coffee needed in this chilly Nottingham morning. For the visitors, their team will be feeling relaxed considering they have not lost a wicket. England have not done too badly either but they have been a bit wayward I feel. |
| 15.1 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, Outside off, left alone. |
| 15.2 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, Pheeww! Dhawan had his heart in his mouth for a moment there. A back of a length, pitching on off, moving away from the batsman. He pokes at it with a straight bat only to get an outside edge. Luckily for him the ball lands just in front of the fielder at third slip. |
| 15.3 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 15.4 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, FOUR! Short and wide and crashed through cover-point again. Relentless Dhawan creaming everything through the off side. |
| 15.5 : Ben Stokes to S Dhawan, Fuller on off, punched to mid off for no run. |
| 15.6 : Ben Stokes to Dhawan, The ball is down the leg side but Dhawan still goes after it and misses. |
| 16.1 : C Woakes to Rahul, FOUR! Cracker from Rahul, one of the best of the innings so far. Woakes bowls this full and just outside off, swinging away. Rahul leans forward and gets out a superbly timed cover drive. Races away through cover-point region. Rahul looking good. |
| 16.2 : C Woakes to Rahul, FOUR! Well played by Rahul. Length ball on off, pitches and nips away but Rahul has taken the movement into account, he prods forward and defends. The ball takes the outer half and races past third slip to the boundary. |
| 16.3 : C Woakes to Rahul, Length ball outside off. Left alone by Rahul. |
| 16.4 : C Woakes to Rahul, Length ball on off, pitches and nips back in. Rahul tucks it into the leg side for a quick single. |
| 16.5 : C Woakes to Dhawan,Length ball outside off, left alone by Dhawan. |
| 16.6 : C Woakes to Dhawan, Good shot for no runs. Short of a length ball outside off, Dhawan rocks back and cuts it fiercely but straight to the man at point. Both batsmen looking good. |
| 17.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahul, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 17.2 : Ben Stokes to Rahul, Rahul lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 17.3 : Ben Stokes to Rahul, On middle and off, defended. |
| 17.4 : Ben Stokes to Rahul, Outside off, left alone. |
| 17.5 : Ben Stokes to L Rahul, FOUR! Intentional or not? Does not matter i'd say. A half-tracker just outside off, Rahul hard at it and gets an outside edge perhaps. It goes over the slip cordon and into the fence. |
| 17.6 : Ben Stokes to Rahul, WOW! An absolute jaffa this from Stokes. He bowls this from wide of the crease, with further in to KL. The ball first swings in the air, lands outside off and then curls back in sharply. It goes past the hanging bat of Rahul who is beaten all ends up. |
| 18.1 : C Woakes to Dhawan, Length ball outside off, Dhawan has nothing to do with it, left alone. |
| 18.2 : C Woakes to Dhawan, Lets this fuller and wider ball outside off go behind |
| 18.3 : C Woakes to Dhawan, Closer to the batsman this time but wide enough for Dhawan to leave it alone. |
| 18.4 : C Woakes to S Dhawan, OUT! And India's 1st goes down. It's that man Woakes again who tormented India at Lord's. Bowls this just short of a length on off stump. The ball pitches and nips away. Dhawan tries to defend it with a straight bat, but the movement is just enough to take the outside edge of Dhawan's bat. Ball flies to second slip to Butler who makes no error. England draw first blood. |
| Cheteshwar Pujara is the next batsman in. |
| 18.5 : C Woakes to Pujara, Length ball on off, Pujara taps it towards point with soft hands. No run. |
| 18.6 : C Woakes to Pujara, And Cheteshwar is off the marl. A fuller ball on off, swining away, Pujara leans forward and pushes this softly towards covers, both batsmen take a quick single. |
| 19.1 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Starts the over with a length ball outside off, Pujara watches it carefully and lets it go past to Bairstow. |
| 19.2 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Too wide to tempt the Monk. Shorter and wider of off stump. Pujara lets it go past him. |
| 19.3 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, FOUR! Stokes goes wide of the crease and angles it back in from the off stump. Pujara has worked it off his pads behind square. The ball races to the boundary. Four runs has been signalled by The Umpire |
| 19.4 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Shorter of a length on off, Pujara stands tall and blocks it. |
| 19.5 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Big booming inswinger this time from Stokes. Goes wide of the crease and fires a full ball on middle, swings in but Pujara is upto the mark. He watches it till the end and tucks it onto the on side. |
| 19.6 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 20.1 : C Woakes to Rahul, Length ball on the stumps, defends from within the crease. |
| 20.2 : C Woakes to Rahul, Rahul chooses to leave this length ball outside off, moving away. |
| 20.3 : C Woakes to Rahul, Beaten! Shorter of a length on off this time, Rahul tries to play at it but the away movement after pitching beats the outside edge. Rahul is safe. |
| 20.4 : C Woakes to Rahul, Rahul is not tempted to play this wide and full ball swinging away. |
| 20.5 : C Woakes to Rahul, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| KL Rahul has been trapped in front. Up goes the finger after the appeal is made and the Indian opener starts to walk. Pujara calls him back and suggests to take the DRS. Rahul is seen saying 'no bat' but Che still wants him to take the help of the technology. Here we go then. To us, that looks to be out. Let's see... |
| 20.6 : C Woakes to Rahul, OUT! Review for lbw. Length ball on off stump, pitches and nips back in. The ball misses the inner edge on Rahul's bat and is traped on the crease. Eramus has given him out. Both batsmen chat and decide to go for the review. But review shows 3 reds and Rahul's fight ends. England have struck twice and are right back in the game. |
| Virat Kohli is the new batsman walking in. |
| 21.1 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Short of a length ball on off, goes on the back foot and taps it down. |
| 21.2 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Length ball outside off, left alone by Pujara. |
| 21.3 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, This one comes in. Again length on off, Pujara looks to defend but the swing in takes the inner half of the bat and the ball rolls to square leg. |
| 21.4 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, 4 Byes! Big booming in-swinger again, but the swing is just too much this time. The ball misses Pujara's pads and also the diving keeper. Four runs gifted to India who will take it with both hands open. |
| 21.5 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Length ball outside off, left alone by Pujara. |
| 21.6 : Ben Stokes to C Pujara, The Pujara square drive, so pleasing to the eyes. He leans forward to this very full ball outside off and elegantly times the drive it through the cover-point region. The batsman cross over for 3 runs. |
| 22.1 : C Woakes to Pujara, Length ball outside off, left alone by Pujara. |
| 22.2 : C Woakes to Pujara, Length ball again wider outside off, left alone again by the batsman. |
| 22.3 : C Woakes to Pujara, FOUR! That's bread and butter for Pujara. He will play this in his sleep. Fuller and just outside off. Pujara gets forwards and times this cover-drive well enough for the ball to cross over the boundary easily. Pujara is off to a good start. |
| 22.4 : C Woakes to Pujara, Length ball on off, Pujara stays back and taps it with soft hands towards the gully region. |
| 22.5 : C Woakes to Pujara, Length ball outside off, left alone by Pujara. |
| 22.6 : C Woakes to Pujara, He has nothing to do with this length ball on off, lets it go past. |
| 23.1 : S Broad to Kohli, Beaten! Tentative from Kohli. broad bowls this an a length just outside off. Kohli looks to get bat on ball. But the ball pitches and seams away to beat Kohli's tentative poke. |
| 23.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Length ball on stumps, Kohli defends it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 23.3 : S Broad to Kohli, Length ball angling in on middle, Kohli works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 23.4 : S Broad to Pujara, Pujara looking confident as he punches this back of a length ball outside off, past the point fielder. They take two. |
| 23.5 : S Broad to Pujara, Length ball on the stumps, Defended off the back foot. |
| 23.6 : S Broad to Pujara, WOW! How did that miss the stumps? Length ball on off, Pujara prods forward to defend, the ball nips back into him and cuts him into half. That was a peach from broad. |
| 24.1 : C Woakes to Kohli, Fuller but outside off. Left alone by Kohli. |
| 24.2 : C Woakes to Kohli, Straighter on length from Woakes and Kohli brings out his flick out. Finds the gap at mid-wicket and times it well enough for the batsmen to cross over for three. |
| 24.3 : C Woakes to Pujara, Length ball on off, Pujara shoulders arms. |
| 24.4 : C Woakes to Pujara, Fuller outside off, lets it go to Bairstow. |
| 24.5 : C Woakes to Pujara, Continues with the same line and length but cannot break Pujara's patience, he keeps on leaving them. |
| 24.6 : C Woakes to Pujara, Length again outside off, left alone again. |
| Review time! Broad has convinced his skipper to take the review for an LBW. Virat Kohli is the man in question. It looks to have hit him outside the line of the stumps though. |
| 25.1 : S Broad to Kohli, Broad bowls it full on off stump, it's swinging in as Kohli looks to defend, is beaten by the swing and the ball hits his front pad. England appeal loud and hard but the Umpire is unmoved. England players discuss and then go for the review. Replay shows it's impact outside off stump and that's enough for the Indian captain to continue. |
| 25.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Length ball outside off, Kohli watches it like a hawk and lets it go past him. |
| 25.3 : S Broad to Kohli, back of a length delivery on middle, pitches and jags back in. Kohli looks to tuck this into the on side but the movement beats his bat and is struck on his thigh-pad. |
| 25.4 : S Broad to Kohli, Leaves this full out-swinging delivery alone. |
| 25.5 : S Broad to Kohli, just ahead of a length on off, ball seams back in and Kohli taps this nicely towards the mid-wicket region. |
| 25.6 : S Broad to Kohli, Fuller and wider of off, this time Kohli goes for the drive, gets the middle of the bat but is hit straight to the man at point. |
| 26.1 : C Woakes to Pujara, Pujara hangs back and gets it to the on side. |
| 26.2 : C Woakes to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| 26.3 : C Woakes to Pujara, On middle and off, worked to mid-wicket for nothing. |
| 26.4 : C Woakes to C Pujara, OUT! What? How could you Pujara, how could you, and that too on the cusp of Lunch? It was a nothing delivery, a short ball on middle and leg. He pulls it with power. If only he had hit it 10 meters left or right to Rashid at fine leg, it would have gone for a boundary but no. Rashid only has to take a few steps across to his left to pouch an easy catch. Pujara is shell-shocked, so is Ravi Shastri in the dressing room, and Kohli looks bamboozled as well. On the other h |
| How the fortunes change, I dare say. India, who were cruising before the drinks break, have now lost their third wicket just at the stroke of lunch. This has an uncanny resemblance to the first innings of the first Test where they were reduced to 76/3 after getting a similar start. Pujara's reckless shot cost him his wicket, which now has put the visitors' fragile middle-order in for a test. It was India's session up until drinks as I said, losing no wickets. Both Rahul and Dhawan started well, |
| The home team started in a bit of a frantic fashion after putting the visitors into bat. Anderson and Broad bowled good lines and lengths but they were inconsistent with it. This allowed the Indian openers to get into the game and put a 50-run stand, first for the opening wicket since Edgbaston. Once Woakes and Stokes got the ball in their hand, they started pushing the pressure back on the opposition batters. Their consistency earned England wickets of the opening duo, and just before the Lunch |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| We are back for the afternoon session. Out come the batsmen, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane who is the new man in. Chris Woakes will continue his over. Here we go... |
| 26.5 : C Woakes to Rahane, Right on the money after the break. Hits the length hard and pitches it on off, Rahane gets behind the line of the delivery and defends it. |
| 26.6 : C Woakes to Rahane, Goes fuller this time in search of some swing and does get. He shapes it appreciably away from the batter. Rahane watchfully lets it be. End of a wicket-maiden. |
| Stuart Broad will continue from the other end. |
| 27.1 : S Broad to Kohli, He too starts perfectly! On a length and around off, no swing on offer for him on this delivery. Kohli lunges and blocks it. |
| 27.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Attacks the stumps and bowls it just behind a length. Kohli once again is solid in defense. |
| 27.3 : S Broad to Kohli, Nicely played for the first runs after the break! Back of a length delivery outside off, Kohli waits for the delivery and plays it late. He opens the face of his bat and guides it through short third man for a couple. |
| 27.4 : S Broad to Kohli, PEACH! You can just hope deliveries such as these miss the outside edge. Lovely, lovely stuff. He goes wide of the crease and then angles it into the batsman. Kohli has to play at it due to the original trajectory. The ball pitches and the leaves him, beating the outside edge. |
| 27.5 : S Broad to Kohli, Pitches it in a similar area as the last one but this time it goes straight on. Kohli keeps it out. |
| 27.6 : S Broad to V Kohli, Ends an excellent over with another beauty! Once again the corridor of uncertainty. Kohli is not sure whether to play at it or leave it. He tries to pull his bat out at the very last moment but the ball hits the bottom half and then Kohli's body. A round of applause as Broad takes his hat from the umpire and he deserves every bit of it. |
| 28.1 : C Woakes to Rahane, On a length and around off, Rahane keeps it out. |
| 28.2 : C Woakes to Rahane, Slightly fuller and on off, shapes away a touch. Rahane prods forward and strokes it to covers. |
| 28.3 : C Woakes to Rahane, Fuller in length again outsid off, Rahane need not play at those. |
| 28.4 : C Woakes to Rahane, Off the mark with a brace! A rare loose delivery by Woakes. On the pads, Rahane is quite strong through the leg side, he flicks it through square leg and runs two. |
| 28.5 : C Woakes to Rahane, Goes back to bowling it on off, Rahane stands tall and guides it to point. |
| 28.6 : C Woakes to Rahane, Another delivery outside off, Rahane does not play at it. |
| 29.1 : S Broad to V Kohli, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. |
| 29.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Excellent stop! Full and outside off, Kohli leans into it and drives it towards point. Stokes there dives to his left and saves runs for his side. |
| 29.3 : S Broad to Kohli, Fullish outside off, Kohli guides it through backward point and takes two. he opened the face of the bat at the very last moment which saw the ball going wide of Stokes at point. |
| 29.4 : S Broad to Kohli, Down the leg side, Kohli misses out and Jonny behind does well to collect it diving to his left. |
| 29.5 : S Broad to Kohli, Runs again! Broad strays in line and bowls it on the pads, Kohli loves it there, he flicks it through mid-wicket and the batsmen run two. |
| 29.6 : S Broad to V Kohli, Good length again on off, this one takes off after pitching. Kohli tries to block but gets an outside edge to gully. |
| 30.1 : C Woakes to Rahane, Good amount of movement again but the line is outside off, Rahane makes a leave. |
| 30.2 : C Woakes to A Rahane, FOUR! Nicely timed! Woakes pays the price of bowling it very full. Rahane just leans into the stroke and times it through mid off. The ball races away to the fence. |
| 30.3 : C Woakes to Rahane, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 30.4 : C Woakes to Rahane, Misfield! Slightly straighter this time by Woakes. Rahane clips it towards mid-wicket. Anderson there misfields and concedes three extra runs. Runs now have started to come here for India. |
| 30.5 : C Woakes to Kohli, Goes fuller this time on off, no swing on offer. Kohli strokes it to mid off. Lets out a grunt after finding the fielder. He might have felt he missed out on a boundary. |
| 30.6 : C Woakes to Kohli, Woakes goes for the magic delivery, trying to swing it from leg to off but the ball goes straight on. Kohli tucks it to fine leg for a run. |
| 31.1 : S Broad to V Kohli, EDGED BUT SHORT! Good length and around off, this one pitches and straightens. Kohli tries to keep it out but gets an outside edge to the man at third slip. We have seen this a lot of times in this series, the edges of Kohli's bat have not carried. Reason - he has been playing with soft hands. |
| 31.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Back of a length this time on off, Kohli defends it off the back foot. |
| 31.3 : S Broad to Kohli, Shorter in length on off, Virat goes back and defends it out. |
| 31.4 : S Broad to Kohli, On middle, Kohli shuffles across and works it through mid-wicket. He gets a single, moves onto 12. |
| 31.5 : S Broad to Kohli, Seeing there is not a lot of movement now. Broad hits the deck hard. Rahane hops and defends it onto the ground. |
| 31.6 : S Broad to Kohli, Lands it on off and on a good length. Rahane blocks it out. |
| 32.1 : C Woakes to V Kohli, A muted appeal! On a length around middle, Kohli misses the flick and gets high on the pads. The players start appealing but then bail out of it. |
| 32.2 : C Woakes to Kohli, A little too wide outside off to make the batsman play. |
| 32.3 : C Woakes to Kohli, 100 up for India, courtesy a leg bye! On the pads, Kohli tries to flick but misses. The ball brushes the pads and goes down to fine leg. The batsmen cross ends. |
| 32.4 : C Woakes to Rahane, FOUR! Full marks to the bowler but runs to the batsman. Excellent delivery. He starts it on middle and gets it to shape away late. Rahane goes for the flick and he closes the face of his bat early. It takes the outside edge and goes through backward point for a boundary. |
| 32.5 : C Woakes to Rahane, Another appeal but no reaction from the umpire. On the pads, Rahane fails to put bat to it. It hits his thigh pad and goes down to fine leg as the batsmen run a leg bye. |
| 32.6 : C Woakes to Kohli, This time a loud shout for an LBW but the umpire is unmoved. On the middle stump. Kohli tries to work it across the line but misses to get hit just above the knee role. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. A little too high and Hawk Eye confirms that. |
| 33.1 : S Broad to Rahane, Wide outside off, Rahane lets it be. |
| 33.2 : S Broad to Rahane, The cutter on off, Rahane goes back and defends it. |
| 33.3 : S Broad to Rahane, Another slower ball on a fuller length. Rahane pushes it to mid off. Not a lot of movement on offer now, maybe because the sun is out. Good time for batting. |
| 33.4 : S Broad to Rahane, Full and wide outside off, wanting Rahane to go for the drive. Ajinkya resists and makes a leave. |
| 33.5 : S Broad to Rahane, Well bowled! Closer to the off pole and gets this one to take off after pitching. Rahane does well to take his hands out of the way and let it go through to the keeper. |
| 33.6 : S Broad to Rahane, On the stumps and blocked. Maiden over, not a threatening one though. |
| 34.1 : C Woakes to Kohli, FOUR! Exquisite! A half-volley on off, Kohli leans into it and strokes it through covers for a boundary. Once again no swing visible and hence it was bread and butter stuff for Virat. Partnership now moves onto 27. |
| 34.2 : C Woakes to Kohli, Hint of movement there. On a length and around off, shapes away. Kohli makes a leave. |
| 34.3 : C Woakes to Kohli, Goes wide of the crease and angles this one into the batsman. Kohli tucks it with the angle to mid-wicket. |
| 34.4 : C Woakes to Kohli, Fuller in length on middle, trying to hit the pads of Kohli. The Indian skipper though is up to the task as he works it to mid-wicket. |
| 34.5 : C Woakes to Kohli, Good length outside off, Virat shoulders arms to it. |
| 34.6 : C Woakes to Kohli, That stays a touch low! But nothing to worry about as it was not on the stumps. Outside off, Kohli makes a leave. |
| 35.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Stokes is brought back into the attack and he bowls a bouncer first up. It's outside off and an easy leave for Rahane. |
| 35.2 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, A good length ball outside off, Rahane gets forward and back before tapping it down towards point. |
| 35.3 : Ben Stokes to A Rahane, EDGY FOUR! Got out in a similar fashion in the last Test. It's short and outside off, shaping away, Rahane with the temptation to hang his bat out gets an outside edge which speeds past the third slip fielder (standing a few steps ahead than the normal position) for a boundary. |
| 35.4 : Ben Stokes to A Rahane, Stokes gets a length ball to move back into the batsman, Rahane works it off the inner half of the bat to fine leg for a single. |
| 35.5 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, With a couple of fielders in the deep on the leg side, Stokes bowls it very full outside off. Double bluff by him. The Indian skipper reaches out for the delivery and squeezes it out to covers. |
| 35.6 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Bowls this one in the channel outside off, a watchful leave to complete the over. |
| James Anderson is back. |
| 36.1 : J Anderson to Rahane, Starts with an outswinger outside off, on a fuller length, Rahane leaves it. |
| 36.2 : J Anderson to Rahane, Lovely shot! Anderson pitches it up and outside off, moving away again. Rahane takes a big stride forward and just pushes it with good timing through extra cover. Root chases it down near the fence and they take three runs. |
| 36.3 : J Anderson to Kohli, Outside off, tapped down from the back foot to point. |
| 36.4 : J Anderson to Kohli, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 36.5 : J Anderson to Kohli, Soft hands again. A cautious attempt by the Indian batsmen today to do so. A delivery in the channel outside off, Kohli this time guides it down to third man and collects a couple of runs. |
| 36.6 : J Anderson to Kohli, A touch short and outside off, Kohli goes on the back foot and defends it to the off side. |
| 37.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, FOUR! Good shot but a risky one! Not sure whether it is right playing so away from the body. On the shorter side outside off, Rahane guides it away from his body, through backward point for a boundary. He has quickly moved onto 25. |
| 37.2 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Make that 26 as he pushes it through covers and takes one. |
| 37.3 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, On the shorter side outside off, Kohli shuffles across and plays it through point for a run. |
| 37.4 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, On the stumps and Rahane plays it with a straight bat to mid on. Good by the vice-captain, looking to score on the bad balls and respecting the good ones. |
| 37.5 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Goes wide of the crease and angles this on the pad. Rahane nudges it towards square leg and gets to the other end. Good over this so far for India. |
| 37.6 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, FOUR! This makes it even better. 11 from it. A freebie, a full toss on middle. It still has to be put away and Kohli ensures that happens. He flicks it through mid-wicket and there is no stopping that. |
| 38.1 : J Anderson to A Rahane, Back of a length on off, this one shapes away a touch. Rahane goes back and tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 38.2 : J Anderson to Rahane, Wide outside off, Rahane leaves it. |
| 38.3 : J Anderson to Rahane, Hits the length around off, Rahane off the back foot blocks it. |
| 38.4 : J Anderson to Rahane, Just ahead of a length on middle, Rahane is solid in defense. |
| 38.5 : J Anderson to Rahane, The batsman has played it to the point region. |
| 38.6 : J Anderson to Rahane, On the middle stump, Rahane tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| Adil Rashid is into the attack. Not to forget, he did not even bowl a single over in the last game. He would be eager to make an impact here. |
| 39.1 : A Rashid to Kohli, Tosses it up on off, Kohli defends it onto the ground. |
| 39.2 : A Rashid to Kohli, On the shorter side, Kohli goes back and whips it through mid-wicket. He runs the first one hard and calls for the second. They complete it with ease and it also brings the 50-run stand up. An important one for the visitors. The two joined association when their team was in trouble and now have steadied the ship. The job though is not done. They need to carry on. |
| 39.3 : A Rashid to Kohli, Again on the shorter side, the ball though is bowled quicker and Kohli pushes it to mid on. |
| 39.4 : A Rashid to Kohli, FOUR! A poor ball and it has been put away! Short and down the leg side, Kohli pulls it hard through backward square leg and there is no stopping that. |
| 39.5 : A Rashid to Kohli, Loopy ball outside off, left alone. |
| 39.6 : A Rashid to Kohli, FOUR! Ends the over in style! Another excellent one for India. Another poor delivery by Rashid. A half-volley outside off, too full and hence the spin is out of contention. Kohli leans and strokes it through covers for the second boundary of the over. |
| 40.1 : J Anderson to Rahane, FOUR! Runs flowing now! On the pads, Rahane is too good a batsman to miss out there. He flicks it through square leg and another boundary results. Back-to-back for India. |
| 40.2 : J Anderson to Rahane, Excellent follow-up delivery. On a length and around off, this one pitches and moves away. Rahane plays inside the line and gets beaten. |
| 40.3 : J Anderson to Rahane, Good length on off, Rahane this time gets behind the line and defends it out. |
| 40.4 : J Anderson to Rahane, Slightly straighter this time, Rahane nudges it around the corner and takes two. |
| 40.5 : J Anderson to Rahane, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 40.6 : J Anderson to Rahane, Dot to end! On a length around off, AR blocks it. |
| Drinks! An excellent hour of play for India. The skipper and the vice-captain rose to the occasion, and have batted India out of the initial trouble. However, England will know the fact that a wicket or two here can change the tide in their favor. What is in store after the break? Will India motor along or will England fight back? A gripping hour coming up! |
| 41.1 : A Rashid to Kohli, Rashid starts with a probing line outside. Kohli leaves it alone. |
| 41.2 : A Rashid to Kohli, Fuller tossed up delivery outside off this time, Kohli drives it to the sweeper cover fielder for a run. |
| 41.3 : A Rashid to Rahane, Rashid goes shorter on Rahane's pads. Rahane rocks back and whips it to the deep square boundary. The fielder there chases it down and they run two. |
| 41.4 : A Rashid to Rahane, The bowler over over-compensates and bowls it wide and short of off. Rahane gets the cut out for a couple of runs towards the short third man region. |
| 41.5 : A Rashid to Rahane, Tighter line this time and fuller. Rahane gets right behind the line and blocks it down. |
| 41.6 : A Rashid to Rahane, Good ball to end the over. Tossed up on the off stump, Rahane prods forward and defends it into the ground. |
| 42.1 : J Anderson to Kohli, Huge shot but not given! On off, tailing back in. Kohli tries to drive but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 42.2 : J Anderson to Kohli, Good length on middle, kept out. |
| 42.3 : J Anderson to Kohli, On middle, Kohli plants his front foot forward and works it to mid-wicket. |
| 42.4 : J Anderson to Kohli, FOUR! Too easy! Batting seems to be relatively easy now. No seam movement, no zip of the wicket. Anderson lands it outside off, Kohli leans into it and drives it through point for a boundary. |
| 42.5 : J Anderson to Kohli, OHHHH! Very good leave! Anderson goes wide of the crease and angles it into the batsman. Kohli lets it be and it goes agonizingly close past the off pole. |
| 42.6 : Anderson to Kohli, Howzzat? Not out is the answer to that question. Once again Kohli's stance and the way he has been playing comes to his rescue. This is bowled outside off and it comes back in. Kohli lunges forward, planting his front foot outside the line of off. The ball beats his bat and hits the pads. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. The impact is an issue. But a testing over by Anderson comes to an end. |
| 43.1 : A Rashid to Rahane, Rashid leaking quick runs here. Tossed up very full outside off and Rahane drives it sweetly to the man at sweeper cover for a single. |
| 43.2 : A Rashid to Kohli, Tossed up delivery on the off stump. Kohli defends off the front foot. |
| 43.3 : A Rashid to Kohli, Kohli blocks this full length ball on the off stump. |
| 43.4 : A Rashid to Kohli, The googly is out! Rashid bowls it a bit quicker on off, Kohli goes back and pushes it to covers. |
| 43.5 : A Rashid to Kohli, Flighted ball around off, Kohli drives this hard to covers. Was a bump ball though. |
| 43.6 : A Rashid to Kohli, You miss your length by a fraction and the Indian skipper will punish you. Kohli goes back to a shorter delivery on middle, whips it to deep square leg and gets two for it. |
| 44.1 : J Anderson to Rahane, On the stumps and on a good length. Rahane defends it. |
| 44.2 : J Anderson to Rahane, Good length again on off, Rahane is solid in defense like he has been throughout his innings. |
| 44.3 : J Anderson to Rahane, Good length around off again, Rahane guides it towards point. Three good balls and three dots. Need to continue bowling there. |
| 44.4 : J Anderson to Rahane, 4 in a row! Excellent Test match bowling. Anderson bowls it in the fifth stump channel. Rahane defends it towards covers. |
| 44.5 : J Anderson to Rahane, Excellent stuff! Hits the same region for the 5th ball in a row. All Rahane can do is block it out. |
| 44.6 : J Anderson to Rahane, Maiden! Goes a touch fuller this time but does not get the swing he was looking for. Rahane pushes it to mid on. |
| 45.1 : A Rashid to V Kohli, Rashid not affraid to toss it up, this loopy delivery very full outside off, Kohli drills it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 45.2 : A Rashid to Rahane, Misfield again, shorter ball outside off, it is punched towards covers. The fielder there misfields and the ball is stopped by the fielder on the boundary. The batsmen take two. |
| 45.3 : A Rashid to Rahane, Rashid keeps it straighter and tosses this one a bit. Rahane keeps this out with soft hands. |
| 45.4 : A Rashid to Rahane, Flighted leg spinner outside off. Rahane lets it go. |
| 45.5 : A Rashid to Rahane, Tossed up on the off stump. Rahane is happy to prod forward and keep it down. |
| 45.6 : A Rashid to Rahane, A tighter over by Rashid comes to an end. Rahane is happy to let this flighted leg spinner go to Jonny. |
| 46.1 : J Anderson to Kohli, Bowls it on the pads, Kohli tucks it to fine leg and jogs to the other end. |
| 46.2 : J Anderson to Rahane, Good length around off, the batsman lunges and blocks it. |
| 46.3 : J Anderson to Rahane, Goes wide of the crease and angles it on off, Rahane gets behind the line and defends it onto the ground. |
| 46.4 : J Anderson to Rahane,Back of a length on off, Rahane opens the face of the bat and guides it to point. |
| 46.5 : J Anderson to Rahane, Excellent line by the great Anderson! Continuously attacking the off pole and landing it on a length. Rahane blocks it out. |
| 46.6 : J Anderson to Rahane, Bends his back on this one and bowls it on off, Rahane defends it onto the ground. |
| 47.1 : A Rashid to Kohli, Slower and tossed up outside off, pulls his length back a bit, Kohli gets forward and pushes it cautiously to covers. |
| 47.2 : A Rashid to A Rahane, The runs are coming thick and fast, Rahane drill this tossed up delivery to the deep cover fielder for a single. |
| 47.3 : A Rashid to Kohli, A Gift from Rashid! And Kohli accepts it gleefully. Misses his line and length as he drags this one way down leg. Kohli pulls it easily to the deep square leg boundary for a four. |
| 47.4 : A Rashid to Kohli, Tossed up this time outside off, but Kohli has nothing to do with it. |
| 47.5 : A Rashid to Kohli, A bit shorter and spinning away, Kohli goes on the back foot and defends this rising delivery to keep it down. |
| 47.6 : A Rashid to Kohli, Floated outside off, tempting Kohli into the square drive, he gets it wide of the fielder at deep cover, they come back for two. |
| 48.1 : J Anderson to Rahane, Length ball on off, Rahane defends it towards covers. |
| 48.2 : J Anderson to Rahane, Good length again on middle, not given the batsman any room to free his hands. All Rahane can do is defend it onto the ground. |
| 48.3 : J Anderson to Rahane, FOUR! A little width on offer and Rahane pounces on it. On the shorter side outside off, Rahane guides it through point. No fielder in the deep and the ball races away. Partnership into the 90s now. |
| 48.4 : J Anderson to Rahane, Back to attacking the stumps, Rahane blocks it out. |
| 48.5 : J Anderson to Rahane, The batsman has played it to the point region. |
| 48.6 : J Anderson to Rahane, A little too wide outside off, the batsman shoulders his arms to it. |
| Chris Woakes comes back into the attack. |
| 49.1 : C Woakes to Kohli, Fifty for the Indian Captain, and did his team need it or what? Woakes starts a new spell with a back of a length ball outside off. Kohli reaches out for the ball, a bit away from his body and pushes this towards point for a single. India need Kohli to go on for a big one here. |
| 49.2 : C Woakes to Rahane, Rahane watchfully defends this length ball on the off stump into covers. |
| 49.3 : C Woakes to Rahane, Strays in line, on Rahane's pads who tucks it behind on the leg side for a single. |
| 49.4 : C Woakes to Kohli, Full on off, Kohli drives it well but straight to mid off. |
| 49.5 : C Woakes to Kohli, Plays this length ball around off with soft hands towards the point region, batsmen run a single. Both looking well settled now. |
| 49.6 : C Woakes to Rahane, Well bowled by Woakes, he keeps it on a length just outside up. Rahane comes forward to defend it, the ball gets a bit big on him, takes the outside edge, but what he does well is play it with soft hands and this makes the ball drop in front gully. |
| 50.1 : J Anderson to Kohli, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 50.2 : J Anderson to Kohli, Back of a length on off, Kohli shuffles across and blocks it. |
| 50.3 : J Anderson to Kohli, Goes fuller in length on off, Kohli lunges and blocks it out. |
| 50.4 : J Anderson to Kohli, On the middle stump, Kohli keeps it out. |
| 50.5 : J Anderson to Kohli, Bowls it on the stumps, Kohli pushes it to mid on. |
| 50.6 : J Anderson to Kohli, A little too wide outside off, Kohli need not play at those. |
| 51.1 : C Woakes to Rahane, FOUR! SHOT! Short... Wide... Despatched. Fifty for the vice-captain. He's looking the best he's looked all this tour. Woakes needs to keep it tighter than that to trouble these batsmen. |
| 51.2 : C Woakes to Rahane, Rahane will think he's missed out there. Again Woakes misses his line and length and bowls it short and wide. Rahane punches it to covers but cannot find the gap. |
| 51.3 : C Woakes to Rahane, keeps it on the 6th stump line and Rahane shows respect. Shoulders arms. |
| 51.4 : C Woakes to Rahane, Woakes probing away on that line just outside off, Rahane chooses to let it go past. |
| 51.5 : C Woakes to Rahane, Outside off again and Rahane leaves it again. |
| 51.6 : C Woakes to Rahane, Ends the over with yet another leave outside off. |
| 52.1 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Stokes starts his new spell with a short ball, Kohli initially looks to go for the pull but evades from the shot at the last moment as he sees the ball is way wide of the off stump. |
| 52.2 : Ben Stokes to V Kohli, Banged in short again. Seems to be a tactic this by England. Kohli ducks under it. |
| 52.3 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Surely a tactic, almost worked. Short outside off again, Kohli goes for a half-hearted pull but misses the ball by a distance. |
| 52.4 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, And the chin music continues, Kohli lets this bouncer go through to Bairstow. |
| 52.5 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, This tactic seems to have unsettled the Indian skipper. He goes for a pull again to this bumper outside off. Misses it again and the England players have their hands on their heads. |
| 52.6 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Wide! Too Short and too wide, even for a test match. Given a wide. |
| Ben Stokes to Kohli, A back of a length delivery, the fullest ball of the over. Kohli goes back and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 53.1 : C Woakes to Rahane, On middle, Rahane works it with the angle to mid-wicket. |
| 53.2 : C Woakes to Rahane, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 53.3 : C Woakes to Rahane, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 53.4 : C Woakes to A Rahane, Good length outside off, Rahane tries to defend it with soft hands but the ball takes the outside edge to the man at gully. |
| 53.5 : C Woakes to Rahane, Hits the length hard on off, Rahane keeps it out. |
| 53.6 : C Woakes to Rahane, Goes for the yorker but ends up bowling a low full toss. Rahane hits it back to the bowler who half-stops it and a run is taken. |
| 54.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Continues with the short ball plan, Rahane goes back to this short one and pulls it, gets it from the middle but straight to the square leg fielder. |
| 54.2 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, This time Rahane is not sucked into the shot, as he does well to leave the bouncer alone. |
| 54.3 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, The Rib-ticklers continue to fired at the batsmen but it does not seem to trouble them much. Rahane gets under this ball to let it past. |
| 54.4 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Pulls the length a bit and keeps it just back of a length. The ball kicks up on landing. Rahane looks to defend but is hit on the gloves. |
| 54.5 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, A bit short and a bit wide will not trouble this duo. Rahane goes back to this shortish delivery outside off and tucked it towards the point region for a single. |
| 54.6 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Shorter of a length, wide outside off, pitches and seams away further, Kohli shoulders arms. |
| 55.1 : C Woakes to Rahane, On the stumps, blocked out. |
| 55.2 : C Woakes to Rahane, Good length again on off, Rahane guides it to point. |
| 55.3 : C Woakes to Rahane, Bowls the bumper on middle, Rahane evades it. |
| 55.4 : C Woakes to Rahane, On the pads, Rahane works it down to fine leg and gets to the other end. |
| 55.5 : C Woakes to Kohli, FOUR BYES! Harsh on the keeper that! Down the leg side, it moves away further. Bairstow dives full stretch to his left, gets a glove to it but can't stop it cleanly. It crosses the fine leg fence. |
| 55.6 : C Woakes to Kohli, Back of a length on off, Kohli defends it out. Tea on day 1! |
| An excellent session for India, a wicket-less one, courtesy the captain and the vice-captain who walk off to a standing ovation from the dressing room and the crowd. These two joined forces after the break and made batting look really easy. They got their eye in and then started milking the bowlers. Both have got a half century each and have stitched a 107-run stand so far, thereby putting India on the front foot. The tourists would hope for them to continue with the good work and convert this i |
| The England bowlers gave their all but never looked like dismissing either Kohli or Rahane. Also, once the sun was out, the conditions did not assist them. Rashid was poor when he was brought on, guilty of bowling either too full or too short. They need to come out after the break with a certain plan to break this stand or the two might just take the game away from the hosts. Join us for the all-important final session in some time. |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| Welcome back. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane stride out to the middle for the post-tea session. Stuart Broad will bowl the first over after the break. Off we go... |
| 56.1 : S Broad to A Rahane, FOUR! Bang! Gloves are off, punches are being thrown now. Rahane looking good and settled. He gets a length ball, a tad too full and he checks his drive. The timing is sublime and the ball races to the cover fence in a jiffy. What a start to the session. |
| 56.2 : S Broad to Rahane, Outside off, left alone. |
| 56.3 : S Broad to Rahane, Gets behind the line of the ball and keeps it out. |
| 56.4 : S Broad to Rahane, Defended off the front foot by Rahane presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 56.5 : S Broad to Rahane, Length ball just outside, blocked. |
| 56.6 : S Broad to Rahane, Broad bowls a length ball outside off and couldn't entice Rahane with a shot. |
| Chris Woakes to bowl from the other end. |
| 57.1 : C Woakes to Kohli, Clever! A back of a length ball on off, Kohli taps it to the off side and takes a quick single. |
| 57.2 : C Woakes to Rahane, Similar delivery from Chris. Rahane is happy to defend it. |
| 57.3 : C Woakes to Rahane, Wide outside off stump, Ajinkya leaves it alone. |
| 57.4 : C Woakes to Rahane, Comes back in this time. Rahane works it to point for nothing. |
| 57.5 : C Woakes to Rahane, Full, no swing or seam, Rahane lets it be. |
| 57.6 : C Woakes to A Rahane, Dropped! Fiercely cut by Rahane and Anderson is equally up to it. A short ball this which Rahane cuts off the back foot. The ball goes towards the fielder at point. Anderson there jumps to perfection and puts his hand to almost pull off a blinder. The ball, however, hits his hand and drops to his right. The fielder next to him couldn't get to it either. No harm done in the end but a difficult chance goes down or a boundary saved? |
| 58.1 : S Broad to V Kohli, Beautifully timed drive straight to covers. |
| 58.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Kohli defends it from within the crease. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 58.3 : S Broad to Rahane, FOUR! Edged but safe. A length ball around off, Rahane pokes at it and gets a thickish outside edge. The ball goes through the slip cordon and to the boundary. |
| 58.4 : S Broad to Rahane, Ajinkya lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 58.5 : S Broad to Rahane, Full on off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 58.6 : S Broad to Rahane, Cuts the length ball through cover-point and keeps the strike for the next over. |
| 59.1 : C Woakes to Rahane, Defended off the back foot by Rahane. They pick up a single. |
| 59.2 : C Woakes to Kohli, Ooh! Refrain from playing such shots, Virat Kohli. A length ball from Woakes wide outside off, its full and therefore Kohli goes for the cover drive. But did not get the timing he wanted on it and as a result, it goes aerially there. |
| 59.3 : C Woakes to V Kohli, Full on off, driven to covers for no run. |
| 59.4 : C Woakes to Kohli, Outside off, left alone by Kohli. |
| 59.5 : C Woakes to Kohli, FOUR! Cheeky from Cheeku. A shortish ball with some width on offer. Kohli opens the face of the bat and gets it past third slip for a boundary. |
| 59.6 : C Woakes to Kohli, Works this one to the on side and changes strike. A good over for the visitors. |
| 60.1 : S Broad to Kohli, On a length on off from Broad, defended. |
| 60.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Goodness me, what a beauty! Broad dishes this one just outside off, it has the natural angle coming back into Kohli who goes forward to defend it. The ball holds its line and whizzes past the edge. A nervy moment! |
| 60.3 : S Broad to Kohli, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 60.4 : S Broad to Kohli, Checks his drive again but couldn't get it past the cover fielder. |
| 60.5 : S Broad to Kohli, Virat lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 60.6 : S Broad to Kohli, Geez! Another screamer from Broad. He is asking some question on a dead-looking pitch. He bowls another bullet just outside off and makes Kohli lunge forward. He fails to connect again. |
| 61.1 : C Woakes to Rahane, Gets behind the line of this one and keeps it out. |
| 61.2 : C Woakes to Rahane, A tad shorter, kept out off the back foot for nothing. |
| 61.3 : C Woakes to Rahane, FOUR! Up and over. Easy peasy for Rahane. A short ball with a lot of width, he cuts it over the infield and into the cover-point fence. Runs are now coming thick and fast. India are in a commanding position. |
| 61.4 : C Woakes to Rahane, Another shortish ball, cut to point for no run. |
| 61.5 : C Woakes to Rahane, Full on off, driven to covers. |
| 61.6 : C Woakes to Rahane, Rahane leaves the length ball outside his off stump. Just a boundary off this one. India 210/3. |
| 62.1 : S Broad to Kohli, This one stays a touch low after it lands on off, Kohli does really well to get his bat down in time and keep it out. |
| 62.2 : S Broad to Kohli, The outsiwnger but the line is way outside off, Kohli shoulders arms to it. |
| 62.3 : S Broad to Kohli, Goes wide of the crease and angles it on off, Virat lunges and blocks it. |
| 62.4 : S Broad to Kohli, Tries to hit the pads of Kohli but Virat is up for the task. He gets his bat down in time and times it sweetly off the middle through square leg. Pope in the deep runs to his left, dives and saves two runs for his team. |
| 62.5 : S Broad to Kohli, On the off pole, Kohli plays it out. |
| 62.6 : S Broad to Kohli, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 63.1 : C Woakes to Rahane, Squares him up there. A back of a length ball on middle and off, Rahane looks to flick it through the on side but closes his bat a touch early. It takes the leading edge and goes towards the point region for nothing. |
| 63.2 : C Woakes to Rahane, Rahane plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. No run taken. |
| 63.3 : C Woakes to Rahane, A length ball on middle, defended. |
| 63.4 : C Woakes to Rahane, Rahane swivels to play the shortish ball towards the fine leg fielder. A run taken. |
| 63.5 : C Woakes to Kohli, On middle and off, Kohli moves across and works it to deep backward square leg. Another run ensues. |
| 63.6 : C Woakes to Rahane, Outside off, left alone. |
| 64.1 : S Broad to Kohli, Full around off, pushed to covers. |
| 64.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 64.3 : S Broad to Kohli, FOUR! Not sure if it was where Kohli intended but he will take the boundary nonetheless. A short ball on middle and leg, Kohli half-pulls it and keeps it down. The ball goes fine and into the fence. |
| 64.4 : S Broad to Kohli, Too wide outside off to entice Kohli with a shot. |
| 64.5 : S Broad to Kohli, On the hips, flicked through square leg for a run. |
| 64.6 : S Broad to Rahane, Gets nicely behind the line of this one and keeps it out to the off side. |
| 65.1 : C Woakes to Kohli, Full on off, Kohli bottom-hands it through mid-wicket. Three runs taken after Stokes cuts it out. |
| 65.2 : C Woakes to A Rahane, FOUR! A gentle gift to Rahane from Woakes and he obliges. A short ball on leg, Rahane pulls it fine with a nice swivel. The ball races to the fence. 7 off the first 2. |
| 65.3 : C Woakes to Rahane, On the pads, Ajinkya wrists it away to the on side for another easy single. |
| 65.4 : C Woakes to Kohli, FOUR! Kohli is oozing class right now. What a cracker of a shot this is. No flashiness, he just gets to the pitch of the ball and sens it to the long off fence. Partnership is 149 between the duo now. |
| 65.5 : C Woakes to V Kohli, 150-run stand is up. What a partnership this has been. Kohli drives it wide of covers and runs a single to bring up the milestone. |
| 65.6 : C Woakes to Rahane, FOUR! WOW! This has gone to the fence like a tracer bullet. No half measures from Rahane. He gets a length ball with some width on offer. The bat meets the ball with intent and there's no stopping it as it goes through cover-point for another boundary. 17 runs came off this one. It looks all too easy now. |
| 66.1 : S Broad to V Kohli, Full on off, driven to mid off for no run. |
| S Broad to V Kohli, Another full ball around off, driven for no run. |
| 66.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Kohli has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 66.3 : S Broad to Rahane, Drives the ball to cover off the front foot. |
| 66.4 : S Broad to Rahane, Wide outside off, punched off the back foot towards covers. The ball goes through the fielder there and a brace results. |
| 66.5 : S Broad to Rahane, On the pads, flicked through mid-wicket. The batsmen run two courtesy of some good pro-active running. |
| 66.6 : S Broad to A Rahane, OUT! Spider-man or Alistair Cook? Well, it's difficult to differentiate right now considering the way ball struck to his hand. What a catch. Rahane lunges forward to play the length ball outside his off stump. The ball gets gets the outside edge and goes past Bairstow in a hurry. Cook, at first slip, sees it late perhaps or he wanted his keeper to go for it. He still sticks his left hand out and the ball just sticks to his finger like my finger on fries. He stands righ |
| Hardik Pandya walks in next for the visitors. James Anderson also comes in for another spell. |
| 67.1 : J Anderson to Kohli, Virat chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 67.2 : J Anderson to Kohli, Shortish around off, Kohli cuts it to point for no run. |
| 67.3 : J Anderson to Kohli, FOUR! How good is that shot? Classy from Kohli. A length ball on off, he punches it off the back through cover-point. A boundary results. |
| 67.4 : J Anderson to Kohli, Punches this ball through covers and a brace results. |
| 67.5 : J Anderson to Kohli, A back of a length ball on the pads, Kohli works it to the on side for a run. |
| 67.6 : J Anderson to Pandya, Pandya lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 68.1 : S Broad to Kohli, Pushes this one through covers for a run. |
| 68.2 : S Broad to Pandya, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 68.3 : S Broad to Pandya, He gets behind the line of this one and defends it. |
| 68.4 : S Broad to Pandya, FOUR! Pandya creams the on drive superbly and earns himself a boundary through the mid-wicket region. He has been pushed up the order and need to prove his mantle to cement his spot. |
| 68.5 : S Broad to Pandya, Defended off the front foot by Hardik presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 68.6 : S Broad to Pandya, Outside off, left alone. |
| 69.1 : J Anderson to Kohli, Good length outside off, Kohli guides it through point and gives the strike over to Pandya. England won't mind that run as the new man is now on strike. |
| 69.2 : J Anderson to Pandya, However, they need to make him play. This is bowled outside off, Pandya does not fiddle with it. |
| 69.3 : J Anderson to H Pandya, Better! Bowled on a length and around off, gets it to straighten. The batsman tries to defend but gets an outside edge to point. |
| 69.4 : J Anderson to Pandya, Shorter in length on middle, the ball sticks in the surface and also stays a touch low. Pandya has all the time in the world to adjust and block it. |
| 69.5 : J Anderson to Pandya, Wide outside off, tempting the batsman to go for a loose shot. Pandya does not get tempted and lets it through to the keeper. |
| 69.6 : J Anderson to Pandya, Again way too outside off, left alone. So not such a great over by Anderson, guilty of bowling too far outside off to Pandya. |
| 70.1 : S Broad to Kohli, FOUR! Tickled and tickled fine! Wrong line by Broad, down the leg side and he flicks it to the fine leg fence. Kohli moves onto one run more than a number which is considered unlucky in Australia. |
| 70.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Starts this one from outside off, gets it to come back in late. Kohli tries to drive but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 70.3 : S Broad to Kohli, Again it comes back in from outside off, Kohli plants his front foot forward and keeps it out. |
| 70.4 : S Broad to Kohli, FOUR BYES! Once again, a harsh call on the keeper as this was way down the leg side. Bairstow tries his best to collect it with a dive but he had no chance. |
| 70.5 : S Broad to Kohli, Fuller in length on off, no inswing this time. Kohli mistimes his drive to mid off. |
| 70.6 : S Broad to Kohli, Into the 90s now! On the pads, Kohli flicks it through backward square leg and takes a couple. |
| Drinks! So, after toiling around for a while, England have finally managed to break the dangerous looking 159-run partnership. However, on a sunny day, it will be a difficult task to bowl out the set looking Kohli. They will need some inspirational bowling performance to make further inroads. The last hour of the day's play coming up next, hang around! |
| 71.1 : J Anderson to Pandya, Goes fuller on middle, Pandya strokes it to mid on. |
| 71.2 : J Anderson to Pandya, Good length but the line is outside off, left alone. |
| 71.3 : J Anderson to H Pandya, Fuller again on off, this one shapes away a touch. Hardik tries to drive it down the ground but gets an outside edge to point. |
| 71.4 : J Anderson to Pandya, Lovely delivery! Drags his length back than the previous delivery and then gets it to move away. Pandya first thinks of playing at it but then pulls his bat away. |
| 71.5 : J Anderson to Pandya, The inswinger this time, Pandya though reads it and works it to mid-wicket. He thinks of a run but is rightfully sent back. The fielder scores a direct hit at the keeper's end but Pandya is well in. |
| 71.6 : J Anderson to Pandya, FOUR! To end the over! Anderson bowls it a touch too full, no swing which means it is too easy for the batsman. He drives it through covers and the ball runs away to the fence. |
| Ben Stokes is back on. |
| 72.1 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Slower ball on middle, Kohli blocks it out. |
| 72.2 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Back of a length outside off, Kohli gets on top of the bounce and guides it towards third man for a couple. |
| 72.3 : Ben Stokes to V Kohli, A bumper on middle, Kohli gets on top of the bounce and pulls it all along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for another brace. Just a maximum away now from a ton. |
| 72.4 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, On the middle stump, Kohli strokes it back towards the bowler. Stokes tries to get a hand to it but is not able to. |
| 72.5 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Fuller in length on off, Kohli times it but finds covers. |
| 72.6 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Not as fuller as the last delivery and hence Kohli makes a leave. |
| 73.1 : A Rashid to H Pandya, Tosses it up on middle, Pandya drives it to mid on. |
| 0.0 : Review time! Well a late review has been taken. Ben Stokes was the man who convinced his skipper. He felt there was an edge there but by the look of things, it seemed like he was the only one who felt so. Let us see if he is right... |
| 73.2 : A Rashid to Pandya, NOT OUT! He is not right. The noise he might have heard was of the ball hitting the pad. Rashid bowls the googly outside off, this one comes back in after pitching. Hardik with his bat behind the pad tries to leave it as the ball just about goes past the off pole. Ben Stokes is seen appealing but he is the only one doing so. He then walks upto Root and convinces him to go for the review. Root gets convinced as he signals the 'T'. Replays roll in and they show the ball b |
| 73.3 : A Rashid to Pandya, FOUR! Too shot and Pandya puts away in some style! A half-tacker on middle, Rashid goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 73.4 : A Rashid to Pandya, Flatter outside off, Pandya lets it be. |
| 73.5 : A Rashid to Pandya, Works it against the turn to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 73.6 : A Rashid to H Pandya, It's been driven superbly through the covers. |
| 74.1 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Fuller outside off, pushed to covers for no run. |
| 74.2 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Too straight from Ben going down the leg side. Kohli misses out. |
| 74.3 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, On a length around middle and off, Kohli defends it. |
| 74.4 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Down the leg side once again, Kohli looks to flick but misses. |
| 74.5 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Streaky. Not the shot you'd expect Kohli to play. He comes forward to play the length ball wide of off. It goes off the inside edge towards fine leg. An easy single taken, even though Virat wanted a second. |
| 74.6 : Ben Stokes to Pandya, On a length in line of the stumps, blocked down the track for no run. |
| 75.1 : A Rashid to Kohli, Couple! Rashid has been poor till now. He bowls another drag down. Kohli goes back and punches it through covers, there is a fielder in the deep so it is only a brace. Three away now. |
| 75.2 : A Rashid to Kohli, Well bowled! This is tossed up on off, Kohli lunges and blocks it out. |
| 75.3 : A Rashid to Kohli, Slightly shorter and quicker outside off, Kohli goes for the cut but mistimes it to point. He should have put that away. He will disappointed. |
| 75.4 : A Rashid to Kohli, The googly, Kohli picks it and tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 75.5 : A Rashid to Kohli, Loopy ball on middle, VK prods forward and keeps it out. |
| 75.6 : A Rashid to V Kohli, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN AT FIRST SLIP! Rashid strikes! No ton for captain Kohli. Contrasting emotions out there as we the English side and the fans celebrate as Kohli walks back dejected, disgusted. Huge, huge wicket with only 14 overs to go and with the new ball around the corner. Rashid bowls a beautifully tossed up delivery, enticing the batsman to go for the drive. Kohli could not stop himself as he tries to caress it through covers. The ball turns and also bounces a |
| 76.1 : Ben Stokes to Pandya, Play and a miss. Hardik looks to play the length ball around off and gets beaten inside the line. |
| 76.2 : Ben Stokes to Pandya, Down the leg side, Pandya looks to flick but misses. |
| 76.3 : Ben Stokes to Pandya, Hardik lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 76.4 : Ben Stokes to Pandya, Again in the same channel from Ben, left alone. |
| 76.5 : Ben Stokes to Pandya, Comes forward to cover his off pole and then gets his bat away from the line. |
| 76.6 : Ben Stokes to Pandya, Defends this one to the off side for no run. Out of nowhere, the English crowd has found some voice. |
| 77.1 : A Rashid to R Pant, Starts his Test career with a drive to covers. |
| 77.2 : A Rashid to Pant, SIX! Oh my, my! Are you kidding me right now? Hot blood of youth and Delhi's brashness equals to Rishabh Pant, isn't it? Well, that's a way to get off the mark in Test cricket. Not even the greatest of great can say that they hit a maximum to get off the mark. He sees the flight on this one and takes a few steps towards the ball. Lofts it over the long on fence for a brutal six. Genius! |
| 77.3 : A Rashid to Pant, Defended off the front foot by Pant presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 77.4 : A Rashid to Pant, Googly on middle, Pant taps it to the off side for nothing. |
| 77.5 : A Rashid to Pant, A low full toss on middle, Pant works it to the mid-wicket region. A brace results. |
| 77.6 : A Rashid to Pant, Again on the pads. He flicks it through the on side and keeps the strike. |
| 78.1 : Ben Stokes to Pant, Goes for the inswinging yorker but Pant gets his bat down in time and jams it out. |
| 78.2 : Ben Stokes to Pant, A yorker the last ball, now bowls a bumper, aimed at the rib cage of the batsman. Pant lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 78.3 : Ben Stokes to Pant, Down the leg side, Pant misses the flick and Jonny behind the stumps fumbles. |
| 78.4 : Ben Stokes to Pant, Tucks it with the angle towards mid-wicket for a run. |
| 78.5 : Ben Stokes to Pandya, Another bouncer, Pandya ducks under it. |
| 78.6 : Ben Stokes to Pandya, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 79.1 : A Rashid to Pandya, Floats it up outside off, Pandya lets it be. |
| 79.2 : A Rashid to Pandya, Extra bounce! Quicker on middle, this one picthes and shoots off the surface. Pandya does well to defend it onto the ground. |
| 79.3 : A Rashid to Pandya, Loopy ball on off, Pandya strokes it to covers. |
| 79.4 : A Rashid to H Pandya, Flighted ball on off, Pandya lunges and strokes it to mid off. |
| 79.5 : A Rashid to Pandya, Quicker and shorter outside off, Pandya slaps it to deep covers for a run. |
| 79.6 : A Rashid to Pant, Another short ball outside off, Pant hits it towards sweeper cover and retains strike. |
| The second new ball is now available and it has been taken immediately. Also the spearhead of the English bowling attack, Anderson comes back into the attack. |
| 80.1 : J Anderson to Pant, Goes full straightaway and gets some shape into the batsman. Pant goes for the drive but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 0.0 : Some issues with the landing area as the groundsmen has come out with the shovel. |
| 80.2 : J Anderson to Pant, Drags his length back on middle, Pant defends it onto the ground. |
| 80.3 : J Anderson to Pant, Classy! On the pads, Pant nonchalantly flicks it through backward sqaure leg and takes two. The youngster looks really confident out there. |
| 80.4 : J Anderson to Pant, Well left! On a length outside off, Pant plants his front foot forward and lets it be. |
| 80.5 : J Anderson to Pant, Another ball way outside off, Anderson trying to play with the youngsters patience. However, Pant does not play at it. |
| 80.6 : J Anderson to Pant, Outside off again, Pant makes his third leave in a row. good temperament shown by the southpaw. |
| Stuart Broad to share the second new ball with Anderson. |
| 81.1 : S Broad to Pandya, Broad starts with a short and wide delivery outside off. Pandya does not fiddle with it and lets it go. |
| 81.2 : S Broad to Pandya, Some away movement for Broad. Keeps it on a length outside off. Pandya shoulder arms to it. |
| 81.3 : S Broad to Pandya, Dishes it outside off, Pandya leaves. |
| 81.4 : S Broad to H Pandya, DROPPED! That's a Jaffa from Broad. He lands it on a length just outside off. This one though pitches and climbs on the batsman with some movement into Pandya, who tries to defend but the ball brushes his gloves, hits his shoulder and lobs in the air to gully. Keaton Jennings at gully drops it though. Stuart Broad cannot believe it. Pandya gets a life, can he capitalize on it? |
| 81.5 : S Broad to Pandya, Pandya goes on the back foot to this length ball on off and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 81.6 : S Broad to Pandya, Broad keeps it wide outside off but cannot entice Pandya to chase it. |
| 82.1 : J Anderson to Pant, Good length delivery outside off, Pant does not play with it. |
| 82.2 : J Anderson to Pant, Closer the off pole this time, Pant gets right behind the line of the delivery and blocks it out. |
| 82.3 : J Anderson to Pant, Fullish and on off, Pant strokes it well through covers, not right off the middle but gets a run for it. |
| 82.4 : J Anderson to Pandya, Nice shape! The outswinger from off stump. Pandya first tries to defend but then pulls his bat out. |
| 82.5 : J Anderson to Pandya, FOUR! Streaky! India won't mind though. On a length and it shapes away. Pandya puts in a big stride and tries to block. The ball takes the outside edge and goes down to the third man fence. One short of 300 now India. |
| 82.6 : J Anderson to Pandya, Back of a length on off, Pandya plays it with soft hands towards gully. |
| 83.1 : S Broad to Pant, Broad comes round the wicket. Keeps it just behind a length, but the line it just too wide of the off stump. Pant watches it go through. |
| 83.2 : S Broad to Pant, Beats the Bat! Much better from Broad as he fires this one from an angle into the batsman, Pant goes towards the ball but the movement away after pitching gets the ball to beat the tentative poke. Pant needs to focus and try and stay till the end. |
| 83.3 : S Broad to Pant, FOUR! Lovely Shot! And that's 300 up for India with a lovely clip off his pads. Broad angles this in on a length, Pant turns it around in the gap at mid wicket. The timing takes the ball across the fence. |
| 83.4 : S Broad to Pant, Pant has nothing to do with this fuller ball outside off. |
| 83.5 : S Broad to Pant, Beaten Again! Board looking threatening here. An important phase for both teams. Pant looks to block this length ball just outside off. However, its nips away after pitching but luckily for Pant it just misses his outside edge. |
| 83.6 : S Broad to Pant, End this testing over with a beauty again. Broad keeps this on a length just outside off. The ball skids through and Pant plays inside the line of the ball. Gets beaten. |
| 84.1 : J Anderson to Pandya, No run. |
| 84.2 : J Anderson to Pandya, On the stumps, kept out. |
| 84.3 : J Anderson to Pandya, On off, the batsman blocks it out. |
| 84.4 : J Anderson to Pandya, Wide outside off, the batsman need not play at those. |
| 84.5 : J Anderson to Pandya, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 84.6 : J Anderson to Pandya, Outside off, Pandya pokes at it and gets beaten. |
| 85.1 : S Broad to Pant, FOUR! Lovely! This young lad is just showing he belongs at the highest level. Yes, it is a half-volley but it still has to be put away and Pant does it with swag. He smashes it through covers and the ball races away. |
| 85.2 : S Broad to Pant, Excellent comeback delivery! Short of a length and on off, this one pitches and straightens. Pant plays inside the line and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 85.3 : S Broad to Pant, A little too wide outside off, Pant makes a leave. |
| 85.4 : S Broad to Pant, On a length around off, Pant guides it to point. |
| 85.5 : S Broad to Pant, Fuller in length on off, Rishabh defends it towards point. |
| 85.6 : S Broad to Pant, Almost! On a length around off, this one pitches and then skids through. Pant tries to leave it but gets an inside edge which bounces just in front of the stumps. |
| 86.1 : J Anderson to Pandya, Length ball on the off pole, defended solidly by Pandya. |
| 86.2 : J Anderson to Pandya, Well left. Anderson angles this into Pandya from just outside off. There is some good away shape and Pandya has nothing to do with it. |
| 86.3 : J Anderson to Pandya, Short of a length ball, it pitches and gets extra bounce off the deck. Also seams away after pitching. Pandya lunges forward and is beaten. |
| 86.4 : J Anderson to Pandya, Pandya shows the full face of the bat and defends this length ball off the back foot. |
| 86.5 : J Anderson to Pandya, In-swinging yorker, well thought out by Anderson. Pandya is up to the task as he digs it out in the nick of time. |
| 86.6 : J Anderson to H Pandya, OUT! A wicket right at the fag end. This is Anderson's 100th Test wicket against India. What a champion bowler. Pandya had to see off just that one more ball - but fails to do so. Jimmy continues to probe away in the corridor of uncertainty but this was a ball which perhaps Hardik could have left. But that compulsive 'have-to-put-bat-to-ball' mindset in him forces the all-rounder to come forward and have a tame push. There is some extra bounce on the ball and it als |
| What an attritional day of cricket! Both sides, I believe, will be happy heading into the dugout. More so England, who have fought back really well in the last session by picking up three vital wickets. Kohli and Rahane were cruising along after the Tea break. The two added 159 before the latter was dismissed 19 short of a ton. Kohli then, along with Pandya, continued as the pair added another handy partnership. |
| Virat Kohli looked destined for another ton but once again he fell prey to the spin of Rashid. England at that moment would have sniffed a chance to run through the remaining wickets but the debutant, Pant, showed no signs of nerves. He played his shots and his partnership with Hardik saw India cross the 300-run mark for the first time in this series. They were really batting well and it seemed like the tourists would end the day on top but Anderson's 100th Test scalp against India at the very e |
| Earlier in the day, after being put into bat, Rahul and Dhawan got India off to a solid start. Woakes then brought the hosts back into the game with three quick wickets. Kohli and Rahane then rose to the occasion and built a huge partnership to put India on the front foot. But wickets at crucial intervals helped the home side hang around in the game. |
| India do not have a lot of batting to come but they would hope for Pant along with the remaining batters to contribute and cross the 350-run mark. The hosts, on the other hand, will look to bundle out the remaining wickets quickly and then try and bat well. |
| It's been a superb day of Test cricket. India started well but then England shot back courtesy Chris Woakes. Then, the tourists recovered from the quick blows owing to the 159-run stand between Kohli and Rahane. Both the batsmen however were very unlucky not to get their centuries. After going wicket-less for the entire afternoon session, the hosts managed to pick three more in the evening session to end the day's play on level terms. The wicket looks good for batting, with not a lot of assistan |
| ... Day 2, Session 1 ... |
| Hello and welcome to the coverage of Day 2 of the third Test between England and India. With the pendulum of momentum swinging from one team to the other throughout Day 1, both teams are looking to get a strong hold on this match. The first session will be crucial as India's primary target will be to cross 350. However, if Pant and Ashwin bat to their potential, the visitors could even get near 400 or even surpass it. |
| England's pacers, on the other hand, will be keen on utilizing the pacer-friendly morning conditions and keep the visitors in check. Let us hope we get another day of exciting cricket. For now though, there is a steady DRIZZLE and the COVERS are on the pitch. There is still time for play to start so let us hope it clears by then and we get underway soon. |
| Good news folks! The covers seem to be coming off and the news coming in is, play will get underway at 1115 local, weather permitting that is. |
| The former English skipper, Alastair Cook, is up for a chat with Michael Atherton. On catching in the slips, he replies it's more comfortable fielding in the slip cordon with those you have been doing it for long. Adds further that their slip catching has not been great lately. Mentions they have been working on the type of catch he took yesterday and he is delighted it stuck. Admits that Trent Bridge has not been his favourite ground but he hopes his fortune will change. Reckons playing spin no |
| UPDATE 1107 local - Well, we will have to wait a little more longer as now play will resume at 1130 local. A few wet areas out there that the groundsmen are trying to dry. Stay tuned. |
| So after the delay we are all set for the action to begin now. The Indian batsmen, Ravichandran Ashwin and Rishabh Pant walk out to the middle. The latter will be on strike and he will face Stuart Broad. Three slips in place. Here we go... |
| 87.1 : S Broad to Pant, Some movement first up, expected looking at the conditions overhead. Broad comes running in and lands it on a length around off, it pitches and then moves away. Pant watchfully lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 87.2 : S Broad to Pant, Swing again but the line is a little too wide outside off, seams away further and Pant makes another leave. |
| 87.3 : S Broad to Pant, Better from Broad! Bowls it straighter this time but no movement available. Pant tucks it with the angle through square leg and gets to the other end. First run today. |
| Sir Ian Botham (on air) feels that the pitch will get quicker today and it was a bit tacky yesterday. David Bumble adds to it that usually Day 2 is the best day to bat as the pitch becomes easy-paced. |
| 87.4 : S Broad to Ashwin, Once again Broad bowls it outside off, the batsman need not play at those. It swings in after passing the batsman. JB does really well behind the stumps to collect it. |
| 87.5 : S Broad to Ashwin, Attacks the stumps and this one stays a touch low. Ashwin gets his bat down in time and hits it towards mid on. |
| 87.6 : S Broad to Ashwin, FOUR! What just happened there? Did Buttler not sight the ball or he could just not react? Will have to wait for a replay to find out as Ashwin gets off the mark with a boundary. Not in convincing manner though. Broad bowls it on a back of a length outside off, Ashwin goes after it with no foot movement, a needless shot to be honest. The ball takes a thick outside edge and goes over Buttler at third slip, who just could not get up in time and into the third man fence. En |
| James Anderson will bowl from the other end. |
| 88.1 : J Anderson to Pant, Good length on off, Pant covers the swing by moving across and defends it. |
| 88.2 : J Anderson to Pant, Full and outside off, swinging away further. Pant shoulders arms to it. |
| 88.3 : J Anderson to Pant, Very good by the youngster. Not only is he standing outside the crease but he is also shuffling across, covering the swing, getting right behind the delivery and blocking it. |
| 88.4 : J Anderson to Pant, Another good side of Pant. He is also leaving the ball really well, not getting tempted and he does that here. |
| 88.5 : J Anderson to R Pant, A good bumper outside off, Pant tries to drag his pull but gets a bottom edge onto his boot. |
| 88.6 : J Anderson to Pant, On the pads, Pant tucks it away and retains strike. |
| 89.1 : S Broad to Pant, Broad comes from round the wicket, a length ball angled into Pant, who gets inside the line of the ball and tries to tuck it around. The ball hits his thigh pad and runs down fine on the leg side. Adil Rashid on deep fine leg boundary does well to dive and stop 2 runs for his team. |
| 89.2 : S Broad to Pant, Keeps it on a length outside off, Pant lets it go. |
| 89.3 : S Broad to Pant, Pant gets right behind the line of this full length delivery on the stumps and defends solidly. |
| 89.4 : S Broad to Pant, Wider and fuller outside off, Pant does not fiddle with it. |
| 89.5 : S Broad to Pant, Gets his line wrong this time and stray it down the leg side. Pant tries to tuck it around but does not get bat on it. |
| 89.6 : S Broad to Pant, Pant tries to flick this length ball angling into him, again misses and JB behind dives to his right to collect it. |
| 90.1 : J Anderson to Ashwin, On a length around off, shapes away from the batsman. Ashwin plays inside the line and lets it go to the keeper. Anderson needs to be bowling it a touch straighter. |
| 90.2 : J Anderson to Ashwin, Perfect! This time he angles it on off and then gets it to move away. Ashwin though plays it really late as he defends it to point. Good cricket all around. |
| 90.3 : J Anderson to Ashwin, Again a little too wide outside off, Ashwin lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 90.4 : J Anderson to Ashwin, FOUR! Excellent by Ashwin! He is playing the ball very late, which is working in his favour. Another good delivery by Anderson, on off, shapes away. Ashwin stays rooted to his crease, lets the ball come to him and then guides it through backward point for a boundary. His second. |
| 90.5 : J Anderson to Ashwin, No swing this time as it is a touch shorter on off, Ashwin off the back foot punches it to mid off. |
| 90.6 : J Anderson to Ashwin, EDGED BUT FOUR! Anderson this time bowls it fuller, meaning Ashwin can't play it that late. The batter pokes at it with soft hands. The ball takes the outside edge and goes through the slip cordon for the second boundary of the over. So runs coming thick and fast for India this morning and they have crossed the 320-run mark. |
| 91.1 : S Broad to Pant, Starts the over with a fuller length delivery outside off. The ball moves away after pitching. But the line is a bit too wide to entice Pant into a shot. He lets it go behind. |
| 0.0 : Well, a halt in play as Broad has some issue with his shoe. Trevor Bayliss in the dressing room is seen signalling to send in a replacement. |
| 91.2 : S Broad to Pant, Similar delivery. Keeps it on a length outside off, Pants watchfully lets it go. |
| 91.3 : S Broad to Pant, This is the first indication of the ball keeping low. He lands it on a 6th stump line again. Pant leaves. |
| 91.4 : S Broad to Pant, OUT! England draw first blood of the day. And it's the debutant, Pant, who has to take the long walk back. Broad this time keeps it a bit fuller outside off. He is getting it to swing away from Pant on pitching. The southpaw, who was showing good patience and grit until now, goes for a extravagant drive through the covers. He reaches out a bit, away from his body. The ball takes the inside edge and crashes into the stumps. Pant looks dejected. Broad gives him a send-off. |
| Ishant Sharma walks in next. He has been promoted up the order, batted at no. 11 in the last game and no. 10 in the first Test. |
| 91.5 : S Broad to Sharma, Keeps it full on the off stump. The inswing makes the ball swirl into Ishant, who does well to get behind the line of the ball and block it out. |
| 91.6 : S Broad to Sharma, Full and swinging in again. This time a bit too much of swing though. Ishant tries to get bat on ball but the movement in beats his bat and the ball hits his pads. Going down leg though. |
| 92.1 : J Anderson to Ashwin, BEATEN! Loose, very loose by Ashwin there. A sucker ball outside off, swinging away. Ashwing goes after it with no foot movement. Luckily for him the ball whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 92.2 : J Anderson to Ashwin, Shortens his length this time and bowls it on off, Ashwin easily blocks it out. |
| 92.3 : J Anderson to Ashwin, Nicely played! On the shorter side and on off, Ashwin goes back and punches it towards covers for a quick run. |
| 92.4 : J Anderson to Sharma, Good cricket here! Another very good delivery which was equally well played. Anderson bowls it on a back of a length around off, this one moves away late. Ishant first thinks of playing at it but then at the last moment bails out of the shot. |
| 92.5 : J Anderson to Sharma, Off mark is Ishant now! He taps this ball towards covers and sprints to the other end. |
| 92.6 : J Anderson to Ashwin, EDGED BUT DROPPED! Pope drops a sharp chance. Excellent delivery to end the over. Another outswinger, once again it is fuller than the previous deliveries. Ashwin is only half forward as he tries to defend it. The ball takes the outside edge and goes low and quickly towards fourth slip. The man there dives and gets a hand to it but fails to hang on. The ball rolls towards short third man and the batsmen take a run. |
| 93.1 : S Broad to Ashwin, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 93.2 : S Broad to Ashwin, An appeal but not given! On a length around off, it pitches and then moves away. Ashwin tries to flick but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. Broad appeals but the umpire shakes his head. The impact and the height were the issues there. |
| 93.3 : S Broad to Ashwin, On the shorter side, Ashwin defends it onto the ground. |
| 93.4 : S Broad to Ashwin, OUT! KABOOM! What an absolute beauty! That has swung in like a banana and very late. Almost similar to the delivery Broad got Pujara with in the last Test. Unplayable. Pujara had no answers and now Ashwin too has none. Broad comes running in and bowls it full outside off, it comes back in very late. Ashwin has his front foot planted across but then seeing the ball tail back in, he tries to flick. He misses, the ball hits his pads and then uproots the middle pole. Broad g |
| Mohammad Shami walks in to bat. |
| 93.5 : S Broad to Shami, What a shot to get off the mark! Full and outside off, Shami slaps it through covers, not off the middle but enough to get three. Handy runs are these for India. They would take every one of them with open arms. |
| 93.6 : S Broad to Sharma, A peach to end it! Broad has his tail up here. He is really making the ball talk. On a length around off, this time he gets the ball to move away. Ishant is squared up as he tries to defend and the ball goes past the outside edge. |
| 94.1 : J Anderson to Shami, Shami swinging with all his might here. Anderson keeps it full just outside off, there is good away shape to the ball. Shami gives it a big swing and misses the ball completely. Is this India's tactics to go after the bowling? |
| 94.2 : J Anderson to Shami, Better from Shami. Anderson keeps it on a length around the off stump. Shami gets behind the line of the ball and blocks it out. |
| 94.3 : J Anderson to Shami, Full and attacking the stumps, Shami defends well off the front foot. |
| 94.4 : J Anderson to Shami, OUT! And the aggressive tactics have not worked for Shami here. Anderson keeps it on a length on middle and off. Shami, as he tried earlier in the over, goes for a wild swing. The ball moves away slightly on hitting the deck. Shami gets a top edge and the ball flies high in the air. Stuart Broad from mid on settles under the ball and takes it comfortably. |
| Jasprit Bumrah is the next batsman in. |
| 94.5 : J Anderson to Bumrah, OUT! Bowled 'em...Neck and Crock! It's all over for India. England have wrapped up the Indian innings earlier than they would have expected. Anderson fires this out swinger on a length and attacking the stumps. Bumrah tries to block it. But the slight away movement beats his outside and the ball crashes into the middle stump. |
| Boom, boom, boom, that is how England have gone about this morning. 22 runs is all India have managed to add to their overnight total. Once again it is the duo of Broad and Anderson who have made use of the bowling-friendly conditions and bundled out the remaining wickets in no time. |
| India though will still be happy with their overall batting performance. First it was Dhawan and Rahul who got them off to a solid start but then three quick wickets had put them on the back foot. Virat though along with their vice-captain who was desperate need of runs came to the fore. The pair added 159 which set the foundation for a big first innings total. But not a lot of contributions from the lower order has seen India finish with a decent total. |
| The England bowling had contrasting stories. They were brilliant when the conditions overhead was cloudy, the first session was an example as Chris Woakes managed to take three quick wickets. He was the most impressive bowler on Day 1. However as the sun came out, the swing was not visible and the bowlers could not produce the same magic. Adil Rashid, there was expected to deliver, he was not that great but did get the priced scalp of Virat Kohli. |
| Conditions did favor them this morning and their pacers took little time to take the remaining wickets. |
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