| 0.0 : ... Day 1, Session 1 ... |
| Hola! We're here at Rose Bowl, Southampton for the fourth Test between England and India. After two one-sided and one closely fought Test, it's time for the fourth game of the Pataudi series. The contest still favours the hosts but the tide has been changing slowly but surely. England have made a few changes to the playing XI with Sam Curran and Moeen Ali coming in for Ollie Pope and Chris Woakes. For the visitors, their side looks settled and there doesn't seem to be any need for changes. Howev |
| Pitch Report - Sanjay Manjrekar reports from the pitch and states that it looks flawless, the best one of the series so far. Feels that there is nothing to suggest any uneven pace or bounce. Mentions there is an even covering of grass throughout the surface. Reckons some dryness might come into play after the first couple of days. Admits that the opening batsmen will have their work cut out in the first hour or two, when the ball may do a bit. Reckons the captain who wins the toss should bat fir |
| Toss - England win the toss and will bat. |
| England captain, Joe Root says that he wants to take advantage of the pitch. Adds that there are some changes as Chris Woakes is injured so Sam Curran replaces him and Moeen Ali comes in as well in place of Ollie Pope as he has played some great cricket in the last couple of weeks. Further adds that Moeen Ali is a good player and he will be looking to make things work. Implies that Jonny Bairstow has some niggle but he will be fine to bat at number four. Ends by saying that after Trent Bridge, t |
| India captain, Virat Kohli says that he wanted to bat first as well. He reckons that the pitch looks good for batting. Implies that it looks hard and in the first 20-25 minutes, they will look to extract something out of it. Further adds that for the first time in a long time, they are going with an unchanged squad. Asserts that there are some niggles but those have been neglected. Further says that Ravichandran Ashwin is fit so there was no need to make any changes. Asserts that the players are |
| Right, so the fourth Test of this series is about to get underway. The players and umpires walk out to the middle. Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings stride out. The former will face the music first up. |
| Three slips and a gully for Jasprit Bumrah, who will open the bowling for the tourists. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : J Bumrah to Cook, Starts the match with a peach of a delivery. Lands it a bit short of a length, on middle and off, Bumrah's angle takes the ball across Cook and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. Good start by Bumrah. |
| 0.2 : J Bumrah to Cook, Lands this one on a length on off stump, the ball goes across Cook who shoulders arms. |
| 0.3 : J Bumrah to Cook, Tries to compensate on the line and strays on the batsman's pads, Cook gets inside the line and tucks it from his hips to the man at deep fine leg. England are underway. |
| 0.4 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Keeps it just behind the length on the off stump, Jennings lets this one go past him. |
| 0.5 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Beaten! Bumrah's angle doing the talking here. He lands this on a length on middle and off, Jennings sees the initial line and tries to put bat on ball. But the movement away after pitching beats his outside edge. |
| 0.6 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Jennings shoulders arms to this length ball outside off to end the first over. |
| Ishant Sharma will bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : I Sharma to Cook, Sharma starts on a length just outside off. Cook leaves. |
| 1.2 : I Sharma to Cook, Beaten! He's genuinely beaten here. Sharma lands it on a length on off from around the wicket. The ball pitches and nips away from Cook who has a tentative poke at the ball. The outside edge is beaten and Cook survives. |
| 1.3 : I Sharma to Cook, Cook shoulders arms to this length ball outside off. |
| 1.4 : I Sharma to Cook, Ishant pulls the length back a bit. Cook gets behind the line of the ball and defends. |
| 1.5 : I Sharma to Cook, On a length outside off, Cook shoulders arms. |
| 1.6 : I Sharma to Cook, Cook goes back to this short of a length ball on off and keeps it out. |
| 2.1 : Bumrah to Jennings, OUT! What a Jaffa! Boom Boom Bumrahhh! Dream start for India as they draw first blood. He lands this one on a length just outside the of stump. Jennings expecting the ball to continue with the angle, shoulders arms to let it go behind. But the ball pitches and moves in prodigiously. Hits Jennings in the inside part of his front foot. The Indians appeal loud and the umpire has no hesitation in given this out. A big judgement error has cost the southpaw his wicket. Bumrah |
| 0.0 : Joe Root walks out to the middle. |
| 2.2 : J Bumrah to Root, Lands it on a length just outside off. Root comes forward and defends solidly. |
| 2.3 : J Bumrah to Root, Beaten! Root sees the initial line of the delivery coming into him from around the off stump, tries to block it but the ball nips away on landing to beat the outside edge. The slip cordon have their hands on their heads as the English captain survives. |
| 2.4 : J Bumrah to Root, Root shoulders arms to this length ball outside off. |
| 2.5 : J Bumrah to Root, Keeps it just behind a length around off, Root comes right behind the line of the delivery and keeps it out. |
| 2.6 : J Bumrah to Root, Bumrah attacks the stumps, not a bad tactic. Root seemed to be a bit late on the shot but flicks it into the mid-wicket region at the last moment. The timing is not perfect and the mid on fielder keeps it down to two. |
| 3.1 : I Sharma to Cook, Fullish length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 3.2 : I Sharma to Cook, Similar kind of delivery from Sharma, Asking Cook to have a go at it but he is not interested on this as he lets it past. |
| 3.3 : I Sharma to Cook, On a length this time, around off, Cook shoulders arms once again. |
| 3.4 : I Sharma to Cook, Nice and Watchfull is Cook. He looks better today. Sharma is testing him out with a length ball pitched on off and going away after pitching. Cook blocks it off the front foot. |
| 3.5 : I Sharma to Cook, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 3.6 : I Sharma to Cook, Again around off, Cook leaves it for Pant behind the stumps. |
| 4.1 : J Bumrah to Root, Length ball around off, defended off the back foot by Root. |
| 4.2 : J Bumrah to Root, Keeps it a bit fuller on off. Root comes forward and defends. |
| Review taken by India. Joe root is the man in question. |
| 4.3 : Bumrah to Root, No ball. Bumrah does it again! He lands the ball on a length just outside off. Root comes forward looking to defend it. The ball pitches and seams in, beats Joe's bat and raps him dead in front. The Indians appeal but the umpire is unmoved. India, confidently go for the review. But but but, the first replay shows Bumrah has overstepped. The decision stays and Root survives a close, close call. Further replays also show that, with three reds, Joe would have been a goner. Bum |
| J Bumrah to Root, Bumrah firs this on Roots pads who flicks this one into the leg side. The fielder at deep fine leg runs across and keeps it to two. |
| 4.4 : J Bumrah to Root, Lands it on a good length just outside off, Root leaves. |
| 4.5 : J Bumrah to Root, Root lets this one go outside the off stump. |
| 4.6 : J Bumrah to Root, Bumrah keeps this length delivery in line with the stumps. Root, from his crease, defends it. |
| 5.1 : I Sharma to Cook, No run. |
| 5.2 : I Sharma to Cook, Yorker! Sharma fire this one in the block hole. Cook is alert enough to get his bat down in time. Good ball. |
| 5.3 : I Sharma to Cook, A short of a length ball outside off is left alone. |
| 5.4 : I Sharma to Cook, Sharma attacks the line of the stumps, Cook gets behind the line of the ball and keeps it out. |
| 5.5 : I Sharma to Cook, FOUR! That's the first boundary for England. Sharma keeps it a bit fuller and a bit wider of off. Cook leans forward and square drives this past the point fielder. The ball races across the boundary. |
| 5.6 : I Sharma to Cook, Cook shoulders arms to this length ball wide outside off. |
| 6.1 : J Bumrah to Root, Straightish on the hips, Root fails to get the flick as the bat hits his thigh pad and goes behind. A leg bye stolen. |
| 6.2 : J Bumrah to Cook, Cook chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 6.3 : J Bumrah to Cook, Too wide to entice Cook with a shot who lets it be. |
| 6.4 : J Bumrah to Cook, The batsman tries flicking a ball that is down the leg side but misses. |
| 6.5 : J Bumrah to Cook, FOUR! Bumrah errs in line and Cook make him pay. He bowls a back of a length ball on the pads and Cook flicks it easily to the fine leg boundary for his second boundary. |
| 6.6 : J Bumrah to Cook, Cook hangs back and keeps it out off the back foot to end the over. A rather good one for the home team. |
| England this time take the review. Again it's Root the man in question. |
| 7.1 : I Sharma to Root, OUT! India do get the English skipper. Bumrah must be a relieved man. Sharma continuing to bowl a bit fuller lands it just outside off. The ball hits the deck and nips back in. Root comes forward tentatively to block it out. Ishant's natural angle and the inward movement beats Root's inside edge and raps him, in what seems to be in front of the wickets. Kumar Dharmasena has no hesitation in giving it out. Root has a chat with Cook and decides to go for the review. Replay |
| 0.0 : Jonny Bairstow is the next batsman in. |
| 7.2 : I Sharma to Bairstow, Hits the pads again, India appeal again, but this time it's not out. Sharma keeps it a bit full on off, Bairstow comes forward to defend but gets hit on the pads. The ball is clearly missing the leg stump and Bairstow survives a golden duck. |
| 7.3 : I Sharma to Bairstow, Bairstow chooses to leave this length delivery outside off. |
| 7.4 : I Sharma to Bairstow, On a good length around off, Bairstow defends off the front foot. |
| 7.5 : I Sharma to Bairstow, Gets a bit straighter this time as he lands this on middle and leg with the angle coming into the batsman, Bairstow works it away towards the mid-wicket region and changes strike. |
| 7.6 : I Sharma to Cook, A short of a length delivery on off, pitches and moves away a bit. Cook does well to account for the movement and pushes it towards the cover region. The batsman run a single. |
| 8.1 : J Bumrah to Cook, The ball is too wide of the off stump to entice Cook into a shot. |
| 8.2 : J Bumrah to Cook, lands it on a length, Cook comes forward to jabs it away into the leg side. |
| 8.3 : J Bumrah to Cook, FOUR! Cook does not miss out on this full toss wide of off stump, Cook reaches out and gets enough bat on this one, the ball races through the gap between gully and point and crosses the fence. |
| 8.4 : J Bumrah to Cook, Keeps it a bit short of a length. Cooks gets behind the line and blocks it. |
| 8.5 : J Bumrah to Cook, Fuller around off this time, Cook prods forward and defends. |
| 8.6 : J Bumrah to Cook, Beaten! Another beautiful delivery by Bumrah. He angles this one into Cook on a length, Cook tries to put bat on ball but the ball moves away on landing and beats the outside edge to end the over. |
| 9.1 : I Sharma to J Bairstow, Fuller outside off. Jonny pushes it tentatively to the off side. |
| 9.2 : I Sharma to Bairstow, An attempted bumper but the line is down the leg side. Pant makes a diving save to his left and saves runs for his team as Bairstow ducks under it. |
| 9.3 : I Sharma to Bairstow, Sharma is bowling a tad fuller this morning, making it hang in the air and letting it swing. The ball nips back in and Jonny manages to get an inside edge on to his pad. |
| 9.4 : I Sharma to Bairstow, That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh-pad. |
| 9.5 : I Sharma to Bairstow, Goodness me, what a cracker. Sharma is looking so threatening, making the ball move so viciously. This one cut Bairstow in half. It lands on a back of a length and nips back in sharply. Bairstow is on the front foot and looks to play it with a lot of gap between bat-pad. The ball goes through the gap and over the sticks. Pant behind makes under diving stop with one hand to his left. Sharma can't believe it missed everything. |
| 9.6 : I Sharma to Bairstow, Wide down the leg side, Bairstow leaves it alone. Another good tight over from Sharma. |
| 10.1 : J Bumrah to Cook, Bumrah continues to trouble Cook. He lands it just short of a length around off stump from around the wicket. The ball lands and moves away a bit. Cook does not poke at it but the ball passes very near to the outside edge of his bat. |
| 10.2 : J Bumrah to Cook, Fuller and straighter on middle and leg, Cook leans and works it into the mid-wicket region for a single. |
| 10.3 : J Bumrah to J Bairstow, Very full delivery around off, Bairstow leans forward and drives this superbly through the covers. The fielder at covers gives chase and keeps it down to three. |
| 10.4 : J Bumrah to Cook, Beaten! Bumrah keeps it on a length just outside off, Cook looks to defend but the ball pitches, nips away and beats his bat. |
| 10.5 : J Bumrah to Cook, Yorker on off stump by Bumrah. Cook does well to dig it out in time. |
| 10.6 : J Bumrah to Cook, Beaten again! Bumrah continues to land it on a length just outside off, Cook looking to block on the front foot but the ball pitches, nips away and beats the outside edge of his bat. |
| 11.1 : I Sharma to Bairstow, Starts the over with a length ball around off, the ball is shaping in nicely on pitching but Bairstow does well to account for the movement and blocks it solidly off the front foot. |
| 11.2 : I Sharma to Bairstow, Ishant gets a bit straighter and strays it on his pads. Bairstow whips this one to the deep fine leg fielder for a single. |
| 11.3 : I Sharma to Cook, Keeps it on a length but the line is way outside off for Cook to try any shot as he leaves it. |
| 11.4 : I Sharma to Cook, Similar delivery and Cook shoulders arms again. |
| 11.5 : I Sharma to Cook, Good stop by Rahane at short point. Ishant keeps this one fuller outside off stump. Cook goes for the drive but the ball moves away on landing and takes the outer half of his bat. The ball flies at a very low height towards Rahane at short point but falls way short of him Rahane dives and saves four runs. |
| 11.6 : I Sharma to Cook, Cook lets this length ball outside the off stump go behind. |
| Drinks. A good start by India, picking up two English wickets, including their skipper. The Indian opening pace attack of Bumrah and Ishant have done well to keep majority of the deliveries in the corridor of uncertainty. The batsmen never looked settled. |
| 12.1 : J Bumrah to Bairstow, Yorker to start the thirteenth over. Well dug out by Bairstow. The ball rolls down towards the square leg region and the batsmen take a quick single. |
| 12.2 : J Bumrah to Cook, A bit shorter in length and in line with the stumps. Cooks walks across and tries to work it into the leg side but gets beaten to get rapped on the thigh pad. |
| 12.3 : J Bumrah to Cook, Cook shows the full face of the bat to defend this length delivery on off. |
| 12.4 : J Bumrah to Cook, Bumrah strays on Cook's pads and he flicks it towards the square leg region for a single. |
| 12.5 : J Bumrah to Bairstow, Keeps it on a length outside off, Bairstow has nothing to do with it as he lets it go behind. |
| 12.6 : J Bumrah to Bairstow, OUT! Bairstow can do nothing against this peach of a delivery from Bumrah. He lands this one on a length just outside off. Bairstow, after doing well in leaving these ones until now, is drawn into a defensive shot, may be because of Bumrah's angle and also the fact that this one is just that bit closer to the off stump. The ball pitches and holds it's line more than anything else, the slight change in line gets the outside edge. It flies to Pant who pouches it and th |
| In comes Ben Stokes at number 5. Also, Hardik Pandya comes on for a bowl. |
| 13.1 : H Pandya to Cook, Pandya starts the spell with a length ball around off, Cook gets hit on his pad outside the line. |
| 13.2 : H Pandya to Cook, On the pads, flicked to deep backward square leg for a run. |
| 13.3 : H Pandya to Stokes, A shortish ball around off, Stokes lunges forward to get a thick outside edge. The ball lands in front of the fielder at third slip so no harm done. |
| 13.4 : H Pandya to Stokes, Ben has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 13.5 : H Pandya to Stokes, In line of the stumps again, Stokes keep it out off the front foot for no run. |
| 13.6 : H Pandya to Stokes, On middle and off, Stokes keeps it out off the inner half of the bat. |
| 14.1 : J Bumrah to Cook, Bumrah goes 'round the wicket to land this on a fuller length around off, Cook prods forward and gets it off the outer half of the bat. |
| 14.2 : J Bumrah to Cook, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 14.3 : J Bumrah to Cook, This is a great leave. Too close to comfort but a great leave nonetheless. Cook leaves this one seeing that it pitched outside off. The ball moves in just a touch and goes past the off pole to the keeper. |
| 14.4 : J Bumrah to Cook, Watchful Cook once again defend the length ball right under his eyes. |
| 14.5 : J Bumrah to Cook, On off pole, solidly blocked off the front foot. |
| 14.6 : J Bumrah to Cook, Straighter and fuller targeting the stumps, Cook comes on the front foot and defends. |
| 15.1 : H Pandya to Stokes, FOUR! Shot! Played with such ease by Stokes. He gets a full ball on leg and flicks it from his crease. The connection is right and it goes through the vacant mid-wicket region for a boundary. |
| 15.2 : H Pandya to Stokes, Ben shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 15.3 : H Pandya to Stokes, Around off, on a good length, defended. |
| 15.4 : H Pandya to Stokes, In line of the stumps from Pandya, Stokes blocks it. |
| 15.5 : H Pandya to Stokes, Full ball, on the pads, Stokes fails to put bat to ball and gets hit on his pads. A leg bye stolen by the batsmen. |
| 15.6 : H Pandya to Cook, Shortish on middle and leg, Cook pushes it to on side for no run. |
| Mohammed Shami comes in for a spell. |
| 16.1 : M Shami to Ben Stokes, Shami starts the proceedings with a short of a length ball in line of the stumps, Cook tucks it through mid-wicket off the inner half of the bat and changes strike. |
| 16.2 : M Shami to Stokes, Full, outside off, left alone. |
| 16.3 : M Shami to Stokes, Around off, on a length, blocked. |
| 16.4 : M Shami to Stokes, A touch short, wide of off, Stokes slaps it through cover-point and takes a brace. |
| 16.5 : M Shami to Stokes, Flicks this length ball to the on side for no run. |
| 16.6 : M Shami to Stokes, Last ball of the over. Stokes leaves the length ball for the keeper. Not a bad start from Shami. |
| 17.1 : H Pandya to Cook, OUT! Boom! Gone! Cook looks to fish around off and gets burned. Pandya is the man this time, the star of Nottingham, gets his name in the wicket's column in Southampton as well. A short of a length ball outside off, Cook looks to cut it through backward point off the back foot but ends up guiding to Kohli at third slip. Kudos to Kohli who stayed low, crouches further down and takes a good catch to end Cook's gritty innings. Cook will be disappointed as England are reeling |
| 17.2 : H Pandya to Jos Buttler, Fuller around off, driven to covers for no run. |
| 17.3 : H Pandya to Buttler, Outside off, left alone. |
| 17.4 : H Pandya to Buttler, Similar length, outside off, Buttler lets it pass. |
| 17.5 : H Pandya to Buttler, Pandya errs in line a bit and dishes it on the hips. Buttler clips it fine and takes three before Dhawan cuts it out before reaching the boundary. |
| 17.6 : H Pandya to Stokes, An in swinging length ball in line of the stumps, Stokes looks to defend but gets an inside edge to the fine leg region. A leg bye stolen. |
| 18.1 : M Shami to Stokes, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 18.2 : M Shami to Stokes, Around off, left alone. |
| 18.3 : Shami to Stokes, Down the leg side, Stokes leaves it for the keeper. There is an appeal but the umpire ignores it. |
| 18.4 : M Shami to Stokes, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 18.5 : M Shami to Stokes, Shows the full face of the bat and keeps it out off the front foot for no run. |
| 18.6 : M Shami to Stokes, Stokes wrists the length ball to the on side off his pads. A brace results. |
| 19.1 : H Pandya to Buttler, Defended off the back foot by Jos. |
| 19.2 : H Pandya to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Drives and drives it nicely. A full length with some width on offer. Buttler's feet stays in his crease but his bat goes after it away from his body. The ball beats the covers fielder and races to the boundary. |
| 19.3 : H Pandya to Buttler, FOUR! Another one. Two in two. A shortish ball in line of the stumps, Buttler clips it through square leg and the ball manages to cross the fence just in time. |
| 19.4 : H Pandya to Buttler, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 19.5 : H Pandya to Buttler, Shortish on middle and off, defended. |
| 19.6 : H Pandya to Buttler, On off this time, on a similar length, Buttler blocks it under his eyes. |
| 20.1 : M Shami to Stokes, Fuller on off, pushed to covers off the back foot by Stokes. |
| 20.2 : M Shami to Stokes, Shami hasn't found his length this morning it seems. He bowls this one on the pads, Stokes it flicks it through the backward square leg and takes a brace. Shami cries 'C'mon yaar' as he sees Ashwin jogging to get to the ball. |
| 20.3 : M Shami to Stokes, A good comeback ball this. A full ball outside off and swinging in after pitching. Stokes doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 20.4 : M Shami to Stokes, Gets behind the line of this one and keeps it out. |
| 20.5 : M Shami to Stokes, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 20.6 : M Shami to Stokes, Takes a couple of steps down the track and seeing the short of a length, lets it pass. The ball swings in late and evades diving Pant even though he dived to his right. A bye taken in the end. |
| Jasprit Bumrah comes back on. |
| 21.1 : J Bumrah to Stokes, A length ball angling across the left-hander who lets it be. |
| 21.2 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Ben chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 21.3 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Dear me. Out of 6 ball in an over, Bumrah bowls at least one unplayable ball just like this last one. A length ball pitching on middle and off and going across Stokes. He comes down the track to counter the swing but is beaten by the away movement. Geez! |
| 21.4 : J Bumrah to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 21.5 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Similar ball like 21.3 and same result as well. Stokes again comes walking down and is again beaten by the away movement. Could have easily edged this one but survives. |
| 21.6 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Ben chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 22.1 : M Shami to Buttler, On a length, around off, left alone. |
| 22.2 : M Shami to Buttler, Wide outside off stump, Buttler leaves it alone. |
| 22.3 : M Shami to Buttler, Dropped! A difficult one but it will be counted as a drop. Buttler survives once again, two chances in two Tests and Pant is the man again who gives him a reprieve. Shami digs this outside off and angles it into Buttler. He looks to leave it at the very last moment but the ball goes off the bottom half of the bat. Pant behind the stumps looks to get up with the bounce but the edge does him bad. It dips and goes on full to him. It hits him low on his leg and goes to the |
| 22.4 : M Shami to Buttler, Back of a length ball outside off, played through backward point for a run. |
| 22.5 : M Shami to Stokes, In line of the stumps, tucked to mid-wicket for a brace off the back foot. |
| 22.6 : M Shami to Stokes, An absolute peach this from Shami. He angles it across Stokes who looks to have a tentative push but misses. The ball gets some late swing and makes it troublesome for Pant behind the stumps once again. No harm done in the end. Last over before Lunch coming up next. |
| 23.1 : J Bumrah to Buttler, On the pads, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 23.2 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Outside off, left alone. |
| 23.3 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Hangs back to show the full face and keeps it out down the ground. |
| 23.4 : Bumrah to Stokes, An away swinging ball pitching outside the leg stump. Stokes fails to connect with the ball and gets hit high on his pads. An appeal ensues but the umpire ignores it. |
| 23.5 : J Bumrah to Stokes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 23.6 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Stokes again gets behind the line of the length ball to keep it out. That's Lunch on Day 1. |
| What a great session for India, much better than what they would have expected after being asked to bowl. Their pacers were on the money from the very first ball. Jennings looked completely clueless when he left an incoming delivery from Bumrah and was caught plumb in front of the wickets. The English skipper was lucky to survive a close LBW appeal against Bumrah, who again overstepped. But Sharma soon dismissed Root with a similar delivery, the only difference being, a part of his foot was beh |
| The fourth wicket was the big one, of the other English opener and their highest scorer in Test cricket, Cook. It was a combination of some consistent bowling, a slight loss in concentration on the part of Cook and a brilliant low catch at third slip by the Indian captain. Since then, the pair of Stokes and Buttler has held the fort and go into lunch unbeaten. India will look to continue putting pressure on the English lower-order and try to wrap up the innings as early as possible. Stokes and B |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| We are about to get the post-lunch session underway. The players and umpires are out in the middle. Mohammad Shami to start the proceedings for India. Let's see what's in store in this session... |
| 24.1 : M Shami to Buttler, Starts the session with a full length ball, outside off and moving away. Buttler lets it go. |
| 24.2 : M Shami to Buttler, Similar delivery and the same response from Buttler. |
| 24.3 : M Shami to Buttler, Pulls the length just a wee bit and also comes a little closer to the off stump. However, Buttler seems to have a good idea where his off stump is and decides to leave it at the last moment. |
| 24.4 : M Shami to Buttler, Outside off again and left again. Shami needs to make Buttler play. |
| 24.5 : M Shami to Buttler, FOUR! Streaky! That's the line Shami should hit consistently. Lands it a bit fuller on a length, it was on the middle stump line with some movement away. Buttler tries to push at it and gets squared up. The away movement takes the leading edge and the ball goes towards the backward point region for a boundary. |
| 24.6 : M Shami to Buttler, Length ball around off is defended of the front foot. |
| Ashwin will bowl from the other end. |
| 25.1 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Tossed up delivery is blocked on the front foot by Stokes. |
| 25.2 : R Ashwin to Stokes, A bit slower, shorter and straighter from Ashwin. Stokes works it away off his pads. |
| 25.3 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Shorter and wide by Ashwin, Stokes cuts it but the ball goes straight to the point fielder. |
| 25.4 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Stokes dances down the track and does well to block the ball. |
| 25.5 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Tossed up outside off, Stokes shoulders arms. |
| 25.6 : R Ashwin to Stokes, FOUR! Stokes takes full toll of this lose one from Ashwin. He lands it a bit shorter outside off. Stokes rocks back and across and punches it off the back foot through he cover region. Finds the gap and the ball crosses the fence. |
| 26.1 : M Shami to Buttler, FOUR! Shot! A very full delivery by Shami is driven beautifully through covers by Buttler. He leans nicely into the drive, gets his head on top of the ball and demonstrates how to drive a swinging delivery. |
| 26.2 : M Shami to Buttler, A bit wider outside off, shaping away. Buttler leaves it alone. |
| 26.3 : M Shami to Buttler, OUT! Kohli takes a sharp one at third slip. England has lost half their side. Shami continues to land it in the corridor of uncertainty. Gets the ball to move away on pitching. Buttler, stuck in his crease, reaches out at the ball and goes for a drive on the up. This results in him getting the outside edge and the ball flies towards third slip at head height and the India captain is alert and sharp enough to catch it fingers pointing upwards. He made a difficult catch |
| Moeen Ali walks in next. |
| 26.4 : M Shami to Ali, No run. |
| 26.5 : M Shami to Ali, No run. |
| 26.6 : M Shami to Ali, No run. |
| Ishant Sharma is back on. |
| 27.1 : I Sharma to Stokes, Outside off, left alone. |
| 27.2 : I Sharma to Stokes, Again angles the length back across Stokes who lets it be. |
| 27.3 : I Sharma to Stokes, Closer to the off pole on a similar length, Stokes leaves it seeing the away angle. |
| 27.4 : I Sharma to Stokes, Stokes has no interest in playing the short deliveries around his off stump as he leaves another one for Pant for some practice. |
| 27.5 : I Sharma to Stokes, And again. This is rigid from Stokes. He is leaving the angled ball on length and has been watchful of his off stumps. |
| 27.6 : I Sharma to Stokes, Sharma goes around the wickets and bowls a slower ball outside off and full. Stokes lunges forward to defend it but gets beaten. The ball goes to the keeper on a bounce. A nice tight over from Sharma. |
| 28.1 : M Shami to Ali, Nice stop from Pant. He has been agile today behind the sticks. A gentle loosener outside leg, Ali looks to flick but misses. Pant does well to dive to his right and stop the ball from going to the fine leg fence. The ball hits his glove and rolls to the on side as the batsmen take a run. The umpire signals byes. |
| 28.2 : M Shami to Stokes, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 28.3 : M Shami to Stokes, On a length, outside off, left alone. |
| 28.4 : M Shami to Stokes, Too wide of off, Stokes keeps his bat away from the line of the ball. |
| 28.5 : M Shami to Stokes, In swinger in line of the stumps, Stokes tucks the length ball to the on side and changes strike. |
| 28.6 : M Shami to Ali, Whizzes past the edge. Shami has been probing nicely in the outside off stump channel. Ali hangs his bat looking to defend but misses. |
| 29.1 : I Sharma to Stokes, Starts the over by landing it just short of a length on the middle stump line from around the wicket. Stokes gets behind and defends. |
| 29.2 : I Sharma to Stokes, Similar ball and blocked from the crease by Stokes. |
| 29.3 : I Sharma to Stokes, Gets it fuller this time in the line of the stumps. Stokes waits for the ball to arrive and blocks it out. |
| 29.4 : I Sharma to Stokes, Stokes defends this length ball on the middle and leg stump off the back foot. |
| 29.5 : I Sharma to Stokes, Sharma probing away on the same line and length. Stokes gets behind the line of the ball and defends again. |
| 29.6 : I Sharma to Ben Stokes, Edged! Just short of third slip. Sharma lands it a bit fuller around off and shaping away. Stokes comes forward to block, gets a thick outside edge which goes straight to ground and on a bounce to Kohli at third slip. Stokes must have had his heart in his mouth a couple of times in this innings, but the important thing is, he's still out there and England desperately need him to be. |
| 30.1 : M Shami to Ali, Brilliant bowling! Shami switches to around the wicket and bowls a delivery that angles in sharply initially. At the last moment, it moves away as Ali leaves it tentatively. |
| 30.2 : M Shami to Ali, Full but wide outside off this time, left alone. |
| 30.3 : M Shami to Ali, Ali is off the mark but not convincingly! On a length outside off, Moeen plays it with soft hands but gets it off the outer half past the gully region. Three runs taken. |
| 30.4 : M Shami to Stokes, FOUR! Bumrah should have done better there. Fullish ball, too straight on this occasion. Stokes flicks it towards square leg. Bumrah stationed there dives lazily and allows the ball to roll past him and to the fence. |
| 30.5 : M Shami to Stokes, Four Byes! That one moved a long way away! Outside off, Stokes lets it go. Pant dives full length but he has no chance to stop it. Pujara had to get out of the way as it was coming at a very brisk pace and he was not expecting it. |
| 30.6 : M Shami to Stokes, A lot is happening at the moment! Pitched up ball around off, a lot of nibble in the air. Stokes pushes at it but gets an outside edge that lands just short of the crouching gully fielder. |
| 31.1 : I Sharma to Ali, In the zone outside off, Moeen lets it go. |
| 31.2 : I Sharma to Ali, Good probing stuff from Sharma! He bowls this one in the avenue of apprehension and gets it to move away a wee bit. Ali points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 31.3 : I Sharma to Ali, Full ball attacking the stumps, kept out watchfully. |
| 31.4 : I Sharma to Ali, Good length ball around that tight off stump channel, Ali presents a water-tight defense. |
| 31.5 : I Sharma to Ali, That's a jaffa! Keeps coming in with the natural around the wicket angle, squaring Ali up. Then the ball pitches and moves away to take the outside edge. It again falls short of gully. Kumar Dharmasena walks towards Ishant and has a word with him. Perhaps regarding him landing on the danger area. He needs to be careful. |
| 31.6 : I Sharma to Ali, Pitched up ball around off, Moeen stand his ground and blocks it. |
| 32.1 : M Shami to Stokes, Starts the over with a very full delivery on off. Stokes leans forward and gently drives this to mid off. |
| 32.2 : M Shami to Stokes, Shami keeps it a bit shorter of a length and outside off. Stokes lets it go. The ball, after crossing the batsman, moves prodigiously and Pant behind has to dive full length to his left to pouch it. |
| 32.3 : M Shami to Stokes, Beaten! Shami gets his line and length right this time. Lands it in the corridor around off, Stokes, from within the crease, tries to push at it tentatively. The ball hits the deck and moves away to beat Stoke's outside edge. |
| 32.4 : M Shami to Stokes, Full and straight again, Driven to mid off. |
| 32.5 : M Shami to Stokes, A length ball around off is pushed towards the cover region. |
| 32.6 : M Shami to Stokes, Shami attacks the line of the stumps and keeps it a bit fuller. Stokes turns it around towards mid-wicket and picks up a single. |
| 33.1 : I Sharma to Stokes, Ishant continues to keep it on a length around off stump. Stokes gets forward and defends. |
| 0.0 : In the last over, Mohammed Shami was struck hard in his followthrough. He is sitting near the boundary ropes now, being attended to by the physio. He looks in a lot of pain. Let's hope it is nothing serious. |
| 33.2 : I Sharma to Stokes, Ishant is not leaving that channel. He's just not giving anything away here. Probing away again on a length just outside off. Stokes does well to watchfully let it go. |
| 33.3 : I Sharma to Stokes, Stokes walks down the track, may be to negate the movement. Ishant keeps it a bit shorter of a length. Stokes taps it away towards the cover-point region and picks up yet another single. |
| 33.4 : I Sharma to Ali, Sharma strays on Ali's pads who flicks it away to deep fine leg for a single. |
| 33.5 : I Sharma to Stokes, A bit wider of off this time, Stokes leaves. |
| 33.6 : I Sharma to Stokes, A fuller one this time just outside off, but the line is not close enough to tempt Stokes into a shot. |
| Good to see Mohammed Shami back on the ground and raring to go. |
| 34.1 : M Shami to Ali, Absolute beauty! Beats him on the very first delivery of the over. Shami fires in an 88 mph delivery on a length just outside off. What's more, it moves away on landing. Ali, from within the crease, looks to block it but the movement beats his bat and Ali survives. |
| 34.2 : M Shami to Ali, Shami gets straighter and Ali flicks it to the deep fine leg region. They exchange strike. |
| 34.3 : M Shami to Stokes, Shami keeps it wide of off stump and Stokes has nothing to do with it. |
| A review for LBW is taken by England. The man in question is Stokes. It looks very close. |
| 34.4 : M Shami to Stokes, OUT! It's Three Reds and there goes England's sixth wicket. Shami's consistent line and length gets rewarded. He lands this one on a length just outside off, angling in from around the wicket. Stokes gets across and tries to keep it away but the ball pitches and sharply nips into the southpaw. The ball beats the inside edge and raps the front pad. India appeal and the umpire obliges. Stokes though feels he has a chance to get away with this one. He decides to go for the |
| Sam Curran comes out to bat. Can he deliver on his return? |
| 34.5 : M Shami to Curran, keeps it on a length around off stump, Curran defends by getting behind the line of the ball. |
| 34.6 : M Shami to Ali, Shami bangs this one in short. Ali sees it early and ducks under it. |
| 35.1 : I Sharma to Curran, On a length around off, Curran camps back and stonewalls it. |
| 35.2 : I Sharma to Curran, Well bowled! That surprised Curran a bit. Very full ball on middle and off, there is some movement in the air. Curran loses a bit of balance but manages to just keep it out down the track. Ishant tumbles down on his followthrough and stops it. |
| 35.3 : I Sharma to Sam Curran, Nicely played! We have seen in the past that he is good on the drive. Fractionally overpitched outside off, Sam leans ahead and caresses it through covers. A couple taken. |
| 35.4 : I Sharma to Sam Curran, Sharma continues to be full around the off stump channel. Curran without much foot movement goes for a flashy drive but gets it off the inner half towards mid off. |
| 35.5 : I Sharma to Curran, In the zone outside off, Curran points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 35.6 : I Sharma to Curran, Sharma drags his length back a touch. Sam camps back and presents a water-tight defense. |
| Time for Drinks! |
| 36.1 : M Shami to Ali, Good length ball in the fifth stump channel, Ali points his bat skywards to let it go. |
| 36.2 : M Shami to Ali, That was poor from Moeen! Short and there is room on offer, he chases it away from his body and almost nicks it behind. You got to have your concentrations levels right up when the ball is doing so much. |
| 36.3 : M Shami to Ali, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 36.4 : M Shami to Ali, Beautiful bowling from Shami! He steams in from around the wicket and swings the ball in. At the very last moment, it pitches and moves away. Ali has to play at it and is beaten all ends up. |
| 36.5 : M Shami to Ali, Outside off, left alone. |
| 36.6 : M Shami to Ali, That was so risky! Shami can't believe it that it missed the off pole. Coming in sharply from outside off, Moeen lets it through and it just misses the stumps. Mohammed has his hands on his head and a wry smile on his face. |
| Hardik Pandya is back. |
| 37.1 : H Pandya to Curran, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 37.2 : H Pandya to Curran, Brilliant piece of fielding from Rahane! Back of a length outside off, Curran punches it nicely towards covers. Ajinkya moves to his left and dives like a goalkeeper to stop a certain boundary. |
| 37.3 : H Pandya to Curran, Well outside off, Sam has no need to go after it and he doesn't. |
| 37.4 : H Pandya to Sam Curran, This is good batting from Curran! In the slot for him, he leans ahead confidently and drives it past the diving Rahane. Ample time for the batsmen to come back for the third run. |
| 37.5 : H Pandya to M Ali, Streaky but effective! Fullish ball around off, Ali just keeps his bat down to block it but gets an outside edge past gully. Three more is the result. |
| 37.6 : H Pandya to Curran, Hangs back to the short of a length ball and blocks it out. |
| 38.1 : M Shami to Ali, A shorter and wider delivery outside off is punched off the back foot in towards the point region, Ali finds the gap and the batsman take a brace. |
| 38.2 : M Shami to Ali, A length ball around off, Ali comes forward and defends it. |
| 38.3 : M Shami to M Ali, FOUR! Streaky! But as they say, It's not how, but how many in cricket. Shami keeps it a bit shorter of a length around off, Ali stands within his crease and pushes at it tentatively, the ball pitches and moves away taking the thick outside edge of Ali's bat and the ball flies through the vacant gully region to the boundary. England's 100 comes up. |
| 38.4 : M Shami to Ali, A length ball outside off is left alone. |
| 38.5 : M Shami to Ali, Bumper from Shami. Ali ducks under it. |
| 38.6 : M Shami to Ali, Ali will fell he's missed out on it. Shami bowls it very full and wide outside off. Ali leans forward and square drives it, however, finds the fielder at point. |
| 39.1 : H Pandya to Sam Curran, FOUR! Cracked! Pandya lands this one short and wide outside off. Curran rocks back and cuts this one in the gap between covers and point. The timing is exquisite and the ball races across the fence. |
| 39.2 : H Pandya to Curran, FOUR! Brilliant batting by Curran. Pandya overcompensates and lands it very full. Curran comes forward, leans a bit and drives it straight down the ground past the bowler's right. The ball goes past the boundary and Curran is adding some vital runs for the home team. |
| 39.3 : H Pandya to Curran, Super timing from Curran. Pandya drops it a bit short and wide of off, Curran stays back and punches it through the point region. The man at the deep point boundary slides and stops it from crossing the ropes and saves two. |
| 39.4 : H Pandya to Curran, Beaten! A lose ball is followed by a lose shot. Pandya keeps it short and way wide of off, Curran tries his best to reach to the ball but misses it completely. On a different day it could have taken the edge and would have looked a very silly dismissal. |
| 39.5 : H Pandya to Curran, Length ball outside off is left alone. |
| 39.6 : H Pandya to Curran, FOUR! Short of a length just outside off, Curran goes for the cut, beats the man at point and also the one at deep point for the ball to races across for a boundary. Curran counter attacking here. Some smart batting. |
| H Pandya to Curran, A back of a length delivery is defended back to the bowler. |
| Jasprit Bumrah returns. |
| 40.1 : J Bumrah to Ali, A bit shorter and in the line of the stumps. Ali leaves this one on length as the ball whizzes over the middle stump. |
| 40.2 : J Bumrah to Ali, A bit fuller and a bit wider of off, Ali shoulders arms. |
| 40.3 : J Bumrah to Ali, This one is too wide to entice Ali into a stroke. |
| 40.4 : J Bumrah to Ali, On a length just outside off, Ali does well to watchfully let it go behind. |
| 40.5 : J Bumrah to Ali, FOUR! Bumrah misses his line and length by a bit and Ali pounces on it. Keeps this a bit shorter and a bit wide of off. Ali cuts it and cuts it superbly to find the gap in the point region. Third boundary of the over as England look to fight back. |
| 40.6 : J Bumrah to Ali,Beaten! Peach from Bumrah. Lands this one on a length around the middle and off line, Ali is tempted to poke at it. The ball moves away on landing and beats Ali's outside edge. A wonderful ball to end the over. |
| Ashwin comes back into the attack. |
| 41.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, Tossed up on his pads, Curran flicks it away towards mid-wicket to pick up a single. |
| 41.2 : R Ashwin to Ali, A similar ball is played in a similar way by the other batsman. Ali flicks this floated delivery into the leg side for a single. |
| 41.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Tossed up on middle, defended off the front foot. |
| 41.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, Floats this one a bit fuller on off, Curran elegantly drives it to mid off. |
| 41.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, Curran punches this one towards the cover region as Ashwin pulls back the length a bit. |
| 41.6 : R Ashwin to Curran, Tossed up around off, Curran prods forward and blocks. |
| 42.1 : J Bumrah to Ali, Starts the over with a short of a length ball around off, angling away, Ali leaves it alone. |
| 42.2 : J Bumrah to Ali, Outside off again by Bumrah and Ali shoulders arms. |
| 42.3 : J Bumrah to Ali, Similar delivery and a similar response as Ali leaves this length ball outside off. |
| 42.4 : J Bumrah to Ali, Bowls this one a bit straight, in line of the stumps. Ali, from within his crease, flicks it away to square leg. |
| 42.5 : J Bumrah to Ali, Beaten! Ali is lucky again as this one misses his outside edge by a whisker. Bumrah lands it in the corridor around off and gets it to move away on pitching. Ali tries to get bat on ball but gets beaten. |
| 42.6 : J Bumrah to Ali, A fuller length on off, Ali defends off the front foot. |
| 43.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, Tossed up ball on the stumps is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 43.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, Edge found but he's safe. Ashwin slows this one down a bit and lands it on a fuller length around middle and off. Curran is not forward nor back and tries to block it away. The ball pitches and turns away taking the outside edge. But the edge flies far away from the fielder at first slip and he had no chance. |
| 43.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Keeps it a bit shorter on off, Curran goes back and punches towards the covers region. |
| 43.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, A tossed up delivery on off is defended back to the bowler. |
| 43.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, Curran comes forward and defends this floated delivery off the front foot. |
| 43.6 : R Ashwin to Curran, A bit more flight on this one, tempting Curran into the drive and the southpaw drives it straight to the man at mid off. |
| 44.1 : J Bumrah to M Ali, Short ball targeting the grille of Moeen who swivels and gets it to deep backward square leg for a run. |
| 44.2 : J Bumrah to Curran, On a length around middle and off, blocked. |
| 44.3 : J Bumrah to Curran, Similar kind of delivery from Bumrah. Curran gets around the delivery to defend it. |
| 44.4 : J Bumrah to Curran, A touch too straight this time and enough for Curran to work it around the corner for another easy single. |
| 44.5 : J Bumrah to Ali, Skiddy! Similar delivery to the one bowled to Jennings in the morning. Ali does well to get behind the line of the in swinger and keep it out. Though the ball has gone softer, Bumrah is still making it talk. |
| 44.6 : J Bumrah to Ali, An jaffa! A short of a length ball going away from Ali. He looks to have a go at it from his crease but gets beaten. The slip cordon is showing some excitement but Bumrah has a smirk and he nods in disagreement. Brilliant over from the youngster once again. |
| 45.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, Ashwin keeps it on the middle and off line but the length is a bit shorter than his liking, Curran goes back and turns this one around the corner to pick up a single. |
| 45.2 : R Ashwin to Ali, Tossed up ball on off, defended down. |
| 45.3 : R Ashwin to Ali, Floated delivery outside off, Ali leaves it alone. |
| 45.4 : R Ashwin to Ali, A very full delivery wide of the off stump, Ali goes for the drive away from his body, gets the inside edge and the ball rolls back to the bowler's left. |
| 45.5 : R Ashwin to Ali, Tossed up ball on the off stump, Ali comes forward and keeps it out. |
| 45.6 : R Ashwin to Ali, A bit wider of off, Ali shoulders arms. |
| 46.1 : J Bumrah to Curran, Bumrah starts the new over with a back of a length delivery on off. Curran decides to leave it as the ball flies across him into Pant's gloves. |
| 46.2 : J Bumrah to Curran, Keeps it a bit fuller and straighter. Curran does well to block it out. |
| 46.3 : J Bumrah to Curran, Well played by Curran. This one is kept on a length on the off stump line. But this one co0mes in after landing. Curran does well to account for the inward movement and drives to mid off. |
| 46.4 : J Bumrah to Ali, A back of a length delivery on off, Ali rocks back and keeps it out. |
| 46.5 : J Bumrah to Ali, SIX! Ali goes for the hook and gets reward with a maximum. They say luck favors the brave and Ali and Curran playing some brave cricket here. Bumrah bangs this one short, Ali goes back, swivels and goes for the hook. The ball gets the top edge and flies towards the fine leg region. The fielder at fine leg is a bit square but it would not have mattered as the ball sails over the ropes. These are some important and quick runs for the hosts. |
| 46.6 : J Bumrah to Ali, Beaten! Good comeback by Bumrah but is unlucky not to get the edge. Keeps this again on a length on off. Moves away on pitching and also beast the outside edge of Ali's bat. |
| 47.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, Tossed up ball on the off stump is defended off the front foot by Curran. |
| 47.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, No run. |
| 47.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Risky! Curran sees the flight on this floated delivery on off, takes a few steps down the tack and tries to go over mid off. He is unable to get under the ball and hence does not get enough elevation. But it works in his favor as the ball if lofted in the air for a short while but falls short of the mid off fielder. Indians with their hands ion their heads. |
| 47.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, Ashwin misses his line and strays on Curran's pads, but the batsman keeps it out by defending. |
| 47.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, Tossed up around off, Curran guides it towards the point region. |
| 47.6 : R Ashwin to Curran, Tossed up on off, the ball pitches and turns away. Curran comes forward, smothers the spin and defends. |
| 48.1 : J Bumrah to Ali, Ali chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 48.2 : J Bumrah to Ali, On the hips, tucked to fine leg for a run. |
| 48.3 : J Bumrah to Curran, Fuller ball around middle and off, it swings away from Curran who does well to get behind the line to defend it. |
| 48.4 : J Bumrah to Curran, On a length down the leg stump, Curran misses the flick. |
| 48.5 : J Bumrah to Curran, Short of a length ball around off, defended. |
| 48.6 : J Bumrah to Curran, Again down the leg side from Bumrah. Curran looks get something on it but misses once again. |
| 49.1 : R Ashwin to Ali, Ashwin starts off with a full delivery floated outside off. Ali shoulders arms. |
| 49.2 : R Ashwin to Ali, Tossed up on middle and leg. Ali blocks it out. |
| 49.3 : R Ashwin to Ali, Bowls it a bit straighter on the leg stump line, Ali goes back and turns it around towards the deep square leg region for a single. |
| 49.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, This tossed up delivery just outside off is driven towards the cover region and the batsmen exchange strike. |
| 49.5 : R Ashwin to Ali, Slower through the air on the off stump, Ali comes forward and defends. |
| 49.6 : R Ashwin to M Ali, This full pitched ball on off is driven to the cover fielder. |
| Shami is back for the final over before Tea. |
| 50.1 : M Shami to Sam Curran, Chance of a run out for India? Shami bowls it fuller on the middle stump line. Curran stays back and defends it with a straight bat and takes off. The ball goes towards Ashwin at mid off who runs in, picks it up cleanly and underarms it to the non-striker's end but misses the stumps as Curran is seen diving inside the crease. The replay shows that he just made the crease before the ball passed the stumps. That brings up the 50-run stand between the duo. They need to |
| 50.2 : M Shami to Ali, Shami fires it on Ali's pads on just a back of a length. Ali stays back and flicks it to the deep square leg region. A run taken. |
| 50.3 : M Shami to Curran, Beaten! Shami is giving it his all but the edges are just not being found. He keeps it on a length just outside off. Curran tries to put bat on ball but misses as the ball beats his outside edge by a whisker. |
| 50.4 : M Shami to Curran, Curran comes forward and defends this full and straight ball. |
| 50.5 : M Shami to Curran, A fullish delivery on off is driven to mid off and they cross over quickly for a single. |
| 50.6 : M Shami to Ali, England's intensity is on show here. It's the last ball before the break and what do they do? They take a cheeky single. Shami keeps it just back of a length around off, Ali defends it from the crease and calls for a run. Curran responds well and they complete a good single. THAT'S TEA ON DAY 1! |
| Session highlights - 27 overs, 82 runs, 2 wickets. If the first session was dominated by the tourists, it can be said that this one belonged to England. The visitors continued to be on a roll after the break as well as Mohammed Shami removed Joss Buttler and Ben Stokes rather quickly. |
| However, some brave cricket and smart counter-attacking batting from both, Sam Curran and Moeen Ali, has seen England steady their ship a bit. There is still a lot of work for them to do though. India, on the other hand, would want to get through the England innings as quickly as possible. |
| ... Day 1, Session 3... |
| The players walk out after a warm cup of tea. The two left-handers in Moeen Ali and Sam Curran, who just crossed the fifty run mark will look to bat for as long as possible. India will continue with Ravi Ash. A slip and short leg for him. Let's go! |
| 51.1 : R Ashwin to Ali, Gives this air outside off, Moeen leans ahead and bunts it ahead. |
| 51.2 : R Ashwin to Ali, Rocks back and pushes the ball towards covers for an easy run. |
| 51.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Goes back again and stonewalls this ball in front of him. |
| 51.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, Tossed up ball around off, Curran gets behind the ball and sees it off. |
| 51.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. . |
| 51.6 : R Ashwin to Curran, Sam has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Mohammed Shami to bowl from the other end. |
| 52.1 : M Shami to Ali, Comes in from over the wicket and lands it full on that leg stump area. Ali flicks it away towards deep square leg to change ends. |
| 52.2 : M Shami to Curran, Full again on middle and leg, Curran turns his bat to the on side. |
| 52.3 : M Shami to Sam Curran, Pitches it up again, this time around off. Curran looks to tap it to the off side but gets a French cut which goes past the leg stump. They cross. |
| 52.4 : M Shami to Ali, Nice. Gets behind the ball and places the ball in the gap towards square leg for a brace. |
| 52.5 : M Shami to Ali, Full and around off, Ali is solid in defense. |
| 52.6 : M Shami to Ali, Good bowl from Shami. Darts it full on middle, Ali is late but does well to get bat to it. |
| 53.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, Hangs back and milks this through mid on for a easy single. |
| 53.2 : R Ashwin to Ali, Easy. Loopy ball in line of the stumps, Ali plays it with a straight bat. |
| 53.3 : R Ashwin to Ali, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 53.4 : R Ashwin to Ali, SIX! Huge! Full of confidence is Moeen! Reads the ball from Ashwin's hand. Steps down the track to this off leg spinner and smokes it over mid on for a biggie. |
| 53.5 : R Ashwin to Ali, Ashwin bowls this fuller outside off, Ali bunts it down. |
| 53.6 : R Ashwin to Ali, Good leave. Reads the spin again and is confident in what he is doing. This one is just outside off. Goes straight after pitching and Ali watches it go through. |
| 54.1 : M Shami to Curran, Covers his stumps and defends the ball from the crease. |
| 54.2 : M Shami to Curran, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 54.3 : M Shami to Curran, Beauty! Skids through after pitching. Good length ball outside off, Curran feels for it but does not connect. |
| 54.4 : M Shami to Sam Curran, Changes his length by pitching it up. Curran drives it to mid off. |
| 54.5 : M Shami to Curran, Drags his length back, Sam goes back and punches it to the off side. |
| 54.6 : M Shami to Sam Curran, A bit short outside off, Curran reaches for it and cuts it through point to retain the strike. |
| 55.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, Off spinner outside off, Curran covers his stumps and leaves it alone. |
| 55.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 55.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Comes forward and plays this into the ground. |
| Review time! Kohli has taken an LBW decision up against Sam Curran. Looks like it's going wide. |
| 55.4 : Ashwin to Curran, NOT OUT! Always looked like it was sliding down but India just to savior something take it up. Ashwin gives this air around off. It comes back in sharply and hits Sam on his back leg who is forward in defense. The players appeal in unison but the umpire stays put. After a long wait, Kohli reviews it. Replays show the ball would have clipped the leg stump. Umpire's call so India don't lose their review. |
| 55.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 55.6 : R Ashwin to Curran, SC drives this through the covers. |
| 56.1 : M Shami to Ali, Outside off, left alone. |
| 56.2 : M Shami to Ali, Around off, Ali blocks it well. |
| 56.3 : M Shami to Ali, Play and miss. Length ball around off, Ali looks to drive it but makes contact with thin air. |
| 56.4 : M Shami to Ali, Four Byes! What is Pant supposed to do with that? Nothing. Shami comes in from round the wicket and lands this on the leg stump. It pitches and swings away with the angle. Ali leaves it alone, Pant dives to his right but can't get anywhere close to it. The ball runs to the fine leg boundary. |
| 56.5 : M Shami to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 56.6 : M Shami to Ali, Moeen chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 57.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, Tossed up ball around off, Curran hits it to the off side. |
| 57.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, Comes ahead and hits the ball towards the bowler. |
| 57.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Pitched up ball around off, Curran drives it towards covers. |
| 57.4 : R Ashwin to Sam Curran, FOUR! Brilliant from Curran! The pitch has eased out now and Curran is making the most of it. Short ball outside off, sits up nicely for Sam who cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 57.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, Short again around off, Sam punches this through covers to rotate strike. |
| 57.6 : R Ashwin to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Ishant Sharma has been called back into the attack. |
| 58.1 : I Sharma to Curran, Fuller ball around off, Curran defends it getting behind the ball. |
| 58.2 : I Sharma to Curran, Drags his length back on the similar line, Curran punches it towards mid off. |
| 58.3 : I Sharma to Curran, Class! Doesn't go to the boundary but some confident stroke making from Curran. Another short ball outside off, Curran cuts it uppishly through point for two more runs. |
| 58.4 : I Sharma to Curran, Teased! Full and wide outside off. Curran who is supposed to leave that one goes for it but does not make any contact. |
| 58.5 : I Sharma to Curran, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 58.6 : I Sharma to Curran, Four Byes! Another one of those takes for the keeper! England is not a good place to keep. Sharma serves this down the leg side. Curran looks to flick it but does not make any contact. Pant once again dives to his right but cannot get glove to it. Boundary towards the fine leg region. |
| 59.1 : R Ashwin to Ali, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 59.2 : R Ashwin to Ali, Moeen flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 59.3 : R Ashwin to Ali, OUT! Finally! India break the 81-run stand and get closer in wrapping up England. Ashiwn tosses this up around off. Ali gets low on one knee and looks to sweep this away. Ends up getting a top edge to it. The ball balloons towards square leg where Bumrah runs in from the deep and takes a good forward catch. Ali misses a 50 but gets his team to a respectable total. |
| Adil Rashid comes out to bat. We all know he has the ability. Can he support Sam Curran and take England past 200? |
| 59.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, Ashwin floats this around off. It's the off spinner. Curran covers the stumps and looks to pad this from outside off. The ball hits his pad and goes towards the slip region. Stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire. |
| 59.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, Short one this time on middle and leg, Curran pulls it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 59.6 : R Ashwin to Rashid, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 60.1 : I Sharma to Curran, Fuller in length on middle and leg, tucked around the corner for a single. |
| 60.2 : I Sharma to Rashid, Ishant hits the deck hard around the off stump channel. Adil gets behind the line and blocks it solidly. |
| 60.3 : I Sharma to Rashid, Edged but no harm done! Good length ball around off, straightening after landing to square Rashid up. He tries to block it but gets an outside edge which falls short of the gully fielder. |
| 60.4 : I Sharma to Rashid, Stump-to-stump line, Rashid camps back and answers it with a straight bat. |
| 60.5 : I Sharma to Rashid, Well played and well fielded! Full and too straight, Rashid flicks it nonchalantly through square leg. Shikhar Dhawan in the deep hares across to his left and dives full length to keep the ball in play. It is checked upstairs. The replay shows that he is fine. |
| 60.6 : I Sharma to Rashid, A big shout for an LBW falls on deaf ears! Full ball on off, swinging in like a banana. Adil Rashid falls over a bit as he fails to flick it and is struck on the pads. Ishant and Co rise up but the umpire shakes his head. Perhaps, that was doing too much. |
| 61.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, Darts this on the pads off Curran who plays it to the bowler with a straight bat. |
| 61.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, Stands tall and punches this ball for the mid off fielder to collect. |
| 61.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Rocks back and cuts this ball towards cover-point. |
| 61.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, Short ball outside off, Curran pulls it but finds the man at mid-wicket. |
| 61.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, Finds the gap this time, punches this through covers to give his partner the strike. |
| 61.6 : R Ashwin to Rashid, Full and on the pads, flicked away to square leg. |
| 62.1 : I Sharma to Curran, Full and in line of the stumps, Curran opens the bat face and helps it to deep backward point for a run. |
| 62.2 : I Sharma to Rashid, Inswinger. Served full around off, the ball moves in the air. Rashid gets behind it and drives it along the turf. |
| 62.3 : I Sharma to Rashid, Nicely timed! Another full ball on middle and off. Rashid flicks it through mid-wicket. The man in the deep keeps it to just one. |
| 62.4 : I Sharma to Curran, Good length ball from over the wicket. Lands it around off, Curran bunts it down. |
| 62.5 : I Sharma to Curran, Good looking shot but straight to the man. Length ball moving away from Curran. He drives it superbly but to the man at short point. |
| 62.6 : I Sharma to Sam Curran, Pitches it up again. Outside off. Curran plays it with soft hands towards mid off and thinks of the run. A loud NO from his partner and they decide against it. |
| Jasprit Bumrah in for another spell. |
| 63.1 : J Bumrah to Rashid, Full outside off, Rashid leaves it alone. |
| 63.2 : J Bumrah to Rashid, Length ball around off. It nips back into Rashid who looks to hit it to the on side. Gets extra bounce which hits him on his glove. The ball goes to the off side and they cross. |
| 63.3 : J Bumrah to Curran, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 63.4 : J Bumrah to Curran, Length ball around off, well blocked. |
| 63.5 : J Bumrah to Curran, Runs in from over the wicket and lands it with an angle around off. Sam is solid in defense. |
| 63.6 : J Bumrah to Curran, Stays inside and drives this ball towards the bowler. |
| 64.1 : I Sharma to Rashid, Bangs it a tad short. Rashid hops and just tickles it away through fine leg. The fielder in the deep mops it up and keeps it to two. |
| 64.2 : I Sharma to Rashid, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails. |
| 64.3 : Sharma to Rashid, OUT! Ishant gets his man! No reviews left for England and Rashid has to walk back. Ishant serves this full on middle and leg. The ball moves in the air and comes in after pitching. Rashid is caught on his back foot trying to flick the ball. Misses it and gets hit on his pads. The Indians appeal and the umpire takes his time in raising his finger. Sadly for England, the replay shows that would have gone to miss the leg stump. This is Ashwin's 100th away wicket in Tests, he |
| Stuart Broad is the new man in. |
| 64.4 : I Sharma to S Broad, Inside edge but safe. Length ball on middle and leg. Broad gets an inside edge and the ball goes towards the on side. Away from the fielder which enables them to cross. |
| 64.5 : I Sharma to Curran, Curran gets behind the ball and hits it to the off side. Gives Broad one ball to face. |
| 64.6 : I Sharma to Broad, Broad survives. Gets behind the ball and sees it off. |
| 65.1 : J Bumrah to Curran, Comes in from over the wicket and serves it outside off. Curran looks to go after it but cannot make any contact. India will have to be wary of Curran. He will look to tee off with the tail like he did at Edgbaston. |
| 65.2 : J Bumrah to Curran, Driven by Curran to the cover region. |
| 65.3 : J Bumrah to Curran, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 65.4 : J Bumrah to Curran, Four Byes! Make that 18 byes for the innings. Another one of those full pitched ball down the leg side. Curran is late is getting his bat down and losing his complete balance. Pant jumps to his right but the ball evades him. Has a smirk on his face as he knows he can't do anything about it. |
| 65.5 : J Bumrah to Curran, The batsman opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. They pick up a single. |
| 65.6 : Bumrah to Broad, Full and down leg. Broad cannot get bat to ball. Hits his leg and goes away from the fielder to the on side. The pinch a single. The umpire signals Leg Bye. |
| 66.1 : I Sharma to Broad, Outside off, easy leave for Broad. |
| 66.2 : I Sharma to Broad, Length ball on middle and leg, Broad hops and looks to tuck it away. Misses it to get hit on his thigh pad. |
| 66.3 : I Sharma to Broad, Similar ball. On a good length on middle and leg. Broad goes back but does not get bat to it. They steal another leg bye. |
| 66.4 : I Sharma to Curran, Four Byes! Oh dear! Pant hides his face. bad line from Sharma. Bowls this down the leg side again, to far for Curran to flick it. Pant runs and dives to his right. And just like before, to no-avail. |
| 66.5 : I Sharma to Curran, FOUR! SHOT! Curran moves to 47! The young teen once again taking the game away from the Indians. Sharma corrects his length by bowling it too far outside off. Curran uses his fast hands and cuts it through point for a boundary. |
| 66.6 : I Sharma to Curran, Stays inside his crease and is happy to give Broad the strike for the next over. |
| 67.1 : J Bumrah to Broad, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 67.2 : J Bumrah to Broad, Outside off again, left alone. |
| 67.3 : J Bumrah to Broad, Broad shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 67.4 : J Bumrah to Broad, Hangs back and defends this ball in front of him. |
| 67.5 : J Bumrah to Broad, On a good length on the pads of Broad who works it to the leg side. |
| 67.6 : J Bumrah to Broad, Back of a length ball on the hips of Broad who stands tall and bunts it down. |
| Drinks! Last one of the day. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin comes back for a bowl. |
| 68.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, Full ball on middle and leg, going down. Curran tries to flick it away but is hit on the pads. |
| 68.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, SIX! What a way to get to his second Test fifty! This young lad certainly packs a punch and has a matured head on his young shoulders. Kneels to the tossed up ball and whacks it over long on for a maximum. He has helped England make a comeback, being the chief architect behind it. The 200 also comes up for England. |
| 68.3 : R Ashwin to Sam Curran, Edged but safe! Floated around off, Curran pushes at it but gets an outside edge past the slip fielder. A couple taken. |
| 68.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 68.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, FOUR! These are handy runs for England. Coming in with the arm, Curran clears his front leg, lines it up and drags his heave through mid-wicket to find the fence. |
| 68.6 : R Ashwin to Sam Curran, Quicker in pace on middle and leg, played off the inner half towards the man at 45. 12 from the over. |
| Double change. Hardik Pandya is back for a burst. |
| 69.1 : H Pandya to Broad, Good length ball on off, Broad hangs back and blocks it stoutly. |
| 69.2 : H Pandya to Broad, Beaten! On a length, leaving Stuart. He fishes at it and misses. |
| 69.3 : H Pandya to Broad, Four Leg Byes! The extras count has moved to 33, shoddy stuff from India. Down the leg side, Broad tries to glance it but the ball brushes his pads and goes past the diving Pant once again to the ropes. |
| 69.4 : H Pandya to Broad, In the air... but safe! Full ball attacking the stumps, Broad chips it but mistimes it over wide mid on. It is in no man's land and the batsmen take a couple. |
| 69.5 : H Pandya to Broad, Runs are coming thick and fast now! Broad swings at a length ball outside off and gets it overs covers. Three runs taken. |
| 69.6 : H Pandya to Curran, Short ball, Curran pulls it in front of square leg for a couple. 11 from this one, 23 from the last two. |
| Time for the review! It is regarding an LBW appeal against Stuart Broad. Pant is really confident and suggests his skipper to take the review which he agrees to. The point of impact might save the batsman. |
| 70.1 : R Ashwin to Broad, Not Out! Yes, the impact has saved Broad. Coming in with the arm, Stuart comes ahead to defend it but misses to get pinged on the pads. Ashwin appeals vociferously but the umpire thinks otherwise. The keeper is convinced and Kohli listens to him to signal the 'T'. Time for the replays. There is nothing on the Snicko. The Hawk Eye rolls in and the impact is just outside off. The ball just brushed the front pad before hitting the back pad. That was taken into account by th |
| 70.2 : R Ashwin to S Broad, Driven towards the mid off region. |
| 70.3 : R Ashwin to S Broad, Full ball around off, driven crisply to the man at mid off. |
| 70.4 : R Ashwin to S Broad, Almost a replica of the previous delivery as it is pushed to mid off again. |
| 70.5 : R Ashwin to Broad, Tossed up around off, eased off the front foot to mid off. |
| 70.6 : R Ashwin to Broad, FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Broad leans ahead to defend but gets an outside edge. Rahane at first slip is a bit late to react and the ball goes past him to the fence. |
| 71.1 : H Pandya to Curran, Finally Pant collects one! Down the leg side, Sam fails to tickle it away. The keeper moves to his right and takes it nicely. |
| 71.2 : H Pandya to Curran, Smart from Sam! He moves inside the line to the good length ball and works it away to deep backward square leg for a couple. |
| 71.3 : H Pandya to Broad, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They manage to come back for the second. |
| 71.4 : H Pandya to Broad, Short of a length outside off, flayed away through point for three runs. The 50-run stand has come between the two and that too only in 43 balls. A brilliant counter-attack this has been. The English camp is all smiles. |
| 71.5 : H Pandya to Curran, Surprise bouncer from Pandya, Curran fails to hook it away. |
| 71.6 : H Pandya to Curran, Makes use of the depth of the crease to clip it away through square leg for a single. |
| Mohammed Shami returns. |
| 72.1 : M Shami to Curran, Nothing is working for India at the moment! Full ball on off, Curran attempts to hit it down the ground but gets a thick inside edge down towards fine leg. A run taken. |
| 72.2 : M Shami to Broad, Better from Shami. He hits the deck hard and bowls a well-directed bouncer. Broad sways away awkwardly to evade it. |
| 72.3 : M Shami to Broad, Sprays this one down the leg side, Broad tries to put bat on ball but only connects with thin air. |
| 72.4 : M Shami to Broad, Width on offer outside off, Broad slices it uppishly towards deep backward point for a run. |
| 72.5 : M Shami to Sam Curran, Similar ball outside off, flayed away again to the same region for a single. |
| 72.6 : M Shami to Broad, On a length on middle and leg, Broad wants to help it away but is struck on the thigh pad. |
| Jasprit Bumrah returns. |
| 73.1 : Bumrah to Curran, There is no one in the deep, Curran continues to flourish. Slower ball from Bumrah on middle and leg. Curran is foxed and is early into his shot. Ends up chipping it down the ground and comes back for a brace. |
| 73.2 : J Bumrah to Sam Curran, FOUR! Going from bad to worse for India! Their shoulders are drooping. Short and asking for trouble, Curran stands tall and slaps it behind point for a rocketing boundary. |
| 73.3 : J Bumrah to Curran, On a length on off, Curran looks to tap and run by trying to play it towards point but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Eventually, the ball rolls to the same area and the batsmen cross. |
| 73.4 : J Bumrah to Broad, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. They pick up a single. |
| 73.5 : J Bumrah to Curran, Good running! On a length on middle, Curran taps it to mid off and scurries to the other end. |
| Hardik Pandya has something to advice to Bumrah. Meanwhile, there is a change of bat for Broad. |
| 73.6 : J Bumrah to Broad, OUT! The change of bat has led to doom for Broad! Jasprit Bumrah has provided the much-needed breakthrough for India and he lets out a grunt. He steams in from around the wicket and bowls a good length ball around off. It hits the deck and comes with the natural angle as Broad is late to bring his bat in time and is hit in front of the wickets. The visitors appeal in unison and the umpire raises the dreaded finger. Stuart was beaten for pace there. The 63-run stand from |
| James Anderson is the last man in. |
| 74.1 : M Shami to Curran, Short ball, Curran ducks under it. |
| 74.2 : M Shami to Curran, Back of a length ball outside off, Sam shuffles across and tries to work it to the leg side but misses. |
| 74.3 : Shami to Curran, FOUR! Straight as an arrow! Full ball on middle, Curran lifts it over the bowler for a boundary. |
| 74.4 : M Shami to Curran, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. Anderson has two balls to survive. Can he do so? |
| 74.5 : M Shami to Anderson, Back of a length ball, Anderson gets behind it and defends it nicely. |
| 74.6 : M Shami to Anderson, He survives! Shortish ball down the leg side, James moves inside the line and evades it. |
| 75.1 : J Bumrah to Sam Curran, On a length outside off, dabbed towards point. |
| 75.2 : J Bumrah to Curran, Sent back by Anderson! Back of a length ball outside off, Curran glides it to third man and starts haring across to the other end. He looks at James and the No 11 has his hand up. Sam turns back and reaches his crease. Anderson has a smile on his face and Curran smiles back. |
| 75.3 : J Bumrah to Curran, Short of a length ball on off, kept out watchfully. |
| 75.4 : J Bumrah to Curran, In the arc but not out of the park! Fuller length ball, angling in, Curran backs away and tries to send this out of Southampton but misses. |
| 75.5 : J Bumrah to Curran, Full length ball attacking the stumps, Sam comes ahead and defends it calmly. |
| 75.6 : J Bumrah to Curran, Smart choice from Bumrah! Dug in short by him, Curran ducks under it. Anderson has to survive the next over. |
| Ashwin is back. |
| 76.1 : R Ashwin to Anderson, Floated around off, Anderson comes forward and blocks it. |
| 76.2 : R Ashwin to Anderson, Bye! Down the leg side, Anderson tries to put bat on ball but misses. Pant fails to collect it as well and a single is taken. |
| 76.3 : R Ashwin to Sam Curran, Slower through the air, defended towards mid off. |
| 76.4 : Ashwin to Sam Curran, OUT! Bowled 'em! Tossed up ball on middle and off, Curran clears his front leg and tries to slog it across the line but misses to get his stumps shattered. A top knock from him though. ENGLAND ARE BOWLED OUT FOR 246! |
| A terrific display with the bat from Sam Curran has helped England to put up a decent total on the board. Considering that they were 86/6 and that they almost reached the 250-run mark deserves credit. Earlier, things were not rosy for the hosts though. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, their top order was found wanting against some penetrative Indian pace bowling. |
| The duo of Bumrah and Sharma were relentless and didn't allow the Englishmen to get any sort of momentum. The move to promote Bairstow to No 4 didn't work too. Shami bowled a fierce first spell as well and picked up two quick wickets. After that, Ali and Curran got together and played some shots. |
| That unsettled the visitors and the ball getting softer helped England's cause. The duo stitched a 50-run stand. Though Moeen fell, Curran mixed caution with aggression to perfection. He shepherded the tail smartly and scored a gutsy fifty just the way he did in the first Test at Edgbaston. India will be ruing the fact that they didn't capitalize when they had the home side staring down the barrel. They have a tricky phase of around 20 minutes to play out. England will be aiming to make some ear |
| 0.1 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Starts off with a length ball on off and it swings away sharply. Dhawan points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 0.2 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Well outside off, shaping away further. Shikhar doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 0.3 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Full length ball on off, leaving the southpaw again. He leans ahead, keeps his bat inside the line and lets it pass. Is he setting Dhawan up for the big inswinger? |
| 0.4 : J Anderson to Dhawan, No, this one swings away as well and Shikhar has no trouble in leaving it alone. |
| 0.5 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Anderson switches to around the wicket and bowls a full ball outside off. It moves away yet again and Dhawan has another easy leave to make. |
| 0.6 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Well played but not in the gap! Fractionally overpitched outside off, driven nicely to the man at point. Anderson begin with a maiden. |
| Stuart Broad to share the new ball from the other end. |
| 1.1 : S Broad to Rahul, Good length ball in the tight off stump corridor, Rahul hangs back and keeps it out down the track. |
| 1.2 : Broad to Rahul, A chirpy appeal for an LBW is denied! Good length ball in the corridor of uncertainty, seams in a touch. Rahul camps back to defend it but misses to get hit above the knee roll. Broad is pleading for it along with the slip cordon but the umpire stays put. They don't go for the review. Rightly so, the replay shows it was too high. |
| 1.3 : S Broad to Rahul, Short but the line is wayward but down the leg side, Rahul tries to flick it away but misses. |
| 1.4 : S Broad to Rahul, Another one that has been slipped down the leg side, Lokesh fails to put bat on ball again. |
| 1.5 : S Broad to Rahul, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 1.6 : S Broad to Rahul, Wide! Way outside off, swinging away further. Rahul has nothing to do with it. |
| S Broad to Rahul, Back of a length outside off, Rahul has a poke at it and gets it off the outer half past the slip cordon. Stokes and Bairstow are after it. The former slides near the fence and parries it to his mate. Good teamwork and they save a run for their side. |
| 2.1 : J Anderson to Rahul, In the fifth stump channel, KL Rahul plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 2.2 : J Anderson to Rahul, In the zone outside off again, swinging away. Rahul doesn't flirt with danger. |
| 2.3 : J Anderson to Rahul, Third leave in a row! Anderson needs to make the batsmen play which he hasn't done so far. Well outside off, left alone. |
| 2.4 : J Anderson to Rahul, On a length around off, Rahul shuffles a touch and dead-bats it. |
| 2.5 : J Anderson to Rahul, That was sweet! Overpitched outside off, Rahul leans ahead and strokes it through covers. Three runs taken. |
| 2.6 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Nicely done! On a length around off, Dhawan keeps his bat close to his body and blocks it. |
| 3.1 : S Broad to L Rahul, FOUR! Streaky runs! On a length around off, Rahul plays it with soft hands but gets it off the outer half of the bat past the gap between the slip cordon and gully. Another boundary results. |
| 3.2 : S Broad to Rahul, Full ball around off, kept out watchfully. |
| 3.3 : S Broad to Rahul, Four Byes! On a length outside off, KL Rahul leaves it alone. The ball swings away as Buttler dives to his right but it brushes his fingertips and rolls behind. Cook chases it and puts in a slide to keep the ball in play. It is checked upstairs. The replay shows that Cook's leg was in contact with the ropes when he had the ball in his hand. |
| 3.4 : S Broad to Rahul, Tentative! On a length on middle and leg, Rahul is early into his flick and hence, gets a leading edge. It is safe though as the ball lands in the cover region. A single taken. |
| 3.5 : S Broad to Dhawan, Full ball outside off, Dhawan pushes at it but squirts it off the outer half of the bat past gully. Three runs taken. |
| 3.6 : S Broad to Rahul, Pitched up ball outside off, Rahul comes forward and lets it go to see off the day. THAT'S STUMPS ON DAY 1! |
| Safely Negotiated! The Indian openers, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul have seen off the tricky phase (20-odd minutes) to head back unscathed to their dressing room. It has been a day which has been dominated by the Indian bowlers. When the ball was new, the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami exploited it to perfection, breaking the backbone of the hosts. |
| The Englishmen were reeling at 86/6 but the pair of Moeen Ali and Sam Curran put in a rearguard effort. They put the bad balls away and kept the scoreboard ticking, adding 81 runs together in the process. India must have thought they can deflate the morale of the home side by bowling them out cheaply but the young Curran in particular shored things up for his team. |
| The English all-rounder then stitched a breezy 63-run stand in 57 balls along with Stuart Broad which took the home side to a respectable total. Having said all this, India still hold the aces. Agreed that the ball is moving around but if you apply yourself, runs can be scored on this track. The first hour of the second day will be important from the point of view of both the sides. If England pick up a few quick wickets, it can lead to a collapse while India will know that if they bat well in t |
| ... Day 2, Session 1 ... |
| Hello and a warm welcome to the coverage of Day 2 of the Southampton Test. The visiting bowlers have ruled the roost to give their side the upper hand in this game. It is up to their batsmen now to back them up and take the game away from England. It won't be easy for them though as they are up against a penetrative pace bowling attack. It will be about being sensible and capitalizing on the match situations. The hosts, on the other hand, will still believe in themselves. If they make early inro |
| Sanjay Manjrekar doing the pitch report first says that there is no rain threat for a few more days. On looking down, he mentions that this Day 2 pitch has two changes. One is that the fast bowlers have hit the deck hard and have left some marks on the surface which he feels will assist in movement. The second thing he points out is that the rough is very close to the right-handed batsmen and it will help the spinners. |
| We are set to get rolling. The men who matter come out to the middle. It is a terrific day for cricket as the sun is shining in all its glory. The Indian openers, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul, will resume their innings. The legendary James Anderson is ready to steam in with the red cherry which is pretty fresh. Four slips in place. Here we go... |
| 4.1 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Anderson starts off with a fuller length ball around off, as expected, he gets some nice away swing. Dhawan plants his front foot across to let it go. |
| 4.2 : J Anderson to Dhawan, The shiny side of the ball is on the outside, pointing towards the slip cordon. The ball moves away prodigiously around the off stump channel. Shikhar keeps his bat inside the line and makes a good leave. |
| 4.3 : J Anderson to Dhawan, FOUR! First runs of the morning! Well bowled and well played as well. Jimmy continues to probe in around off stump. Dhawan waits for it and opens the face of the bat at the last moment. He deliberately guides it past the slip cordon to find the fence. |
| 4.4 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Fractionally overpitched on the pads, Dhawan tickles it away through square leg. The fielder in the deep moves to his right to cut it off. Dhawan wants the third but he has been sent back by his partner. |
| 4.5 : J Anderson to Dhawan, In the channel outside off, leaving the southpaw. He lets it go. |
| 4.6 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Pretty harmless delivery on the fifth stump channel, Shikhar doesn't fiddle with it. 6 runs from the first over of this morning, good start for India. |
| Stuart Broad to bowl from the other end. Three slips and a gully in place for him. |
| 5.1 : S Broad to Rahul, Tentative from Rahul! On a driveable length outside off, KL comes forward and pushes at it with hard hands but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls towards the off side and the batsmen steal a run. He has been dismissed by chopping it on in this series. Needs to be careful. |
| 5.2 : S Broad to Dhawan, FOUR! Sweet Pitched up ball well outside off, Dhawan leans into it and caresses it through cover-point. The timing is spot on and the ball whistles away to the fence. |
| 5.3 : S Broad to Dhawan, Full ball outside off, left alone. |
| 5.4 : S Broad to Dhawan, Similar delivery, not close enough to make the batsman play. Shikhar remains circumspect in approach as he lets it pass. |
| 5.5 : S Broad to Dhawan, In the same channel, the southpaw is in no mood to flirt with it. |
| 5.6 : S Broad to Dhawan, Fourth dot in a row! This one is better. Closer to the off stump, the ball moves away late with some extra bounce. Dhawan watches it closely and makes a watchful leave. |
| 6.1 : J Anderson to Rahul, That is beautifully bowled! Anderson runs in with good rhythm from over the wicket and bowls a fullish ball around off. It shapes in as Rahul leans ahead and dead-bats it. |
| 6.2 : J Anderson to Rahul, In the corridor of uncertainty, taking off after landing. Rahul points his bat upwards, keeps his eyes on the ball and makes a good leave. That is how a ball should be left, watching it till the very last moment. |
| 6.3 : J Anderson to Rahul, FOUR! Shot! That will make him feel confident. Back of a length ball around off, nips away after pitching. Rahul makes use of the depth of the crease and punches it through covers to pick up a boundary. |
| 6.4 : J Anderson to Rahul, There is enough movement for both Anderson and Broad but the batsmen have done well to score freely. Jimmy allows the ball to swing and brings it in appreciably. Rahul plays it off the inner half in front of square leg. A couple taken. |
| 6.5 : J Anderson to Rahul, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 6.6 : J Anderson to Dhawan, An appeal for an LBW is turned down! Fullish ball around leg stump, swinging down. Dhawan tries to flick it but misses to get pinged on the pads. The English players appeal but the umpire is not interested. Looked like it pitched outside leg. |
| 7.1 : S Broad to Rahul, Pitched up ball around off, kept out watchfully. |
| 0.0 : Rahul has been trapped in front of the stumps but he still takes a chance with the review after having a chat with Dhawan. Are we in for a surprise? |
| 7.2 : Broad to Rahul, OUT! No, there is no surprise! A review goes down the drain for India. Stuart Broad has struck early this morning, just what the doctor ordered for England. He steams in from over the wicket and bowls a fuller length ball in the avenue of apprehension. After landing, the ball nips in appreciably. Rahul falls over a touch in an attempt to flick it across and misses. Is pinged on the pads and Broad rises up in a vociferous appeal. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena thinks about it and t |
| Cheteshwar Pujara strides out to bat. |
| 7.3 : S Broad to Pujara, Broad bowls a big inswinger first up to Pujara. He is late to bring his bat down and somehow keeps it out towards square leg. Stuart gives the batsman a smile and he smiles back. He knows that the pacer is trying to fox him. |
| 7.4 : S Broad to Pujara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 7.5 : S Broad to Pujara, On a good length, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 7.6 : S Broad to Pujara, Not a convincing leave! Good length ball around off, moves away. Pujara bails out at the last moment as he drops his wrists. A wicket maiden for Anderson. |
| 8.1 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Good length ball on middle and leg, Dhawan tries to keep it out but is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 8.2 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Shortish ball attacking the body of Dhawan. He rises with the bounce and stonewalls it besides the pitch. |
| 8.3 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Fuller in length this time, jagging away. Shikhar doesn't flirt with it. |
| 8.4 : J Anderson to S Dhawan, Close shave! Certainly not where Dhawan intended it to go. Fullish ball around off, there is nibble in the air. Shikhar pushes at it gingerly and gets a thick inside edge that just goes past the leg stump to fine leg. A couple taken. |
| 8.5 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Anderson has got the better of Dhawan here! Bowls this one with a wobbly seam and lands it around off. The ball pitches and seams away. Dhawan pokes at it and misses. The thing that Dhawan did well was that he didn't follow the line of the ball or else he would have edged it. |
| 8.6 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Hangs back to the back of the length ball and defends it right under his eyes. |
| 9.1 : S Broad to Pujara, Fullish ball around off, kept out watchfully. |
| 9.2 : S Broad to Pujara, On a length outside off, CP plays it with an angled bat towards the point region. |
| 9.3 : S Broad to Pujara, Pujara is being put on pressure! Broad hits the deck hard and puts Pujara into an uncomfortable position. He tries to fend it off but the ball hits his bottom hand and lobs in front of square leg. |
| 9.4 : S Broad to Pujara, The batsman has been struck on the thigh pad. |
| 9.5 : S Broad to Pujara, Pitched up ball just outside off, CP shuffles a touch and defends it down the track. |
| 9.6 : S Broad to Pujara, In the corridor outside off, shaping away. Cheteshwar lets it be. Consecutive maidens for Stuart Broad. |
| 10.1 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Full ball attacking the stumps, eased away through square leg for a single. |
| 10.2 : J Anderson to Pujara, Oohs and Aahs from the Englishmen! Back of a length ball around off, coming in. Pujara instead of staying back comes ahead to deal with it. Misses to get hit above the knee roll. A casual appeal from Jimmy and CO but they bail out of it soon. Height was the factor there. |
| 10.3 : J Anderson to Pujara, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. |
| There is a slight field change. The man behind square leg comes a touch in front. He is placed at a catching position. |
| 10.4 : J Anderson to Pujara, Fractionally overpitched on middle and leg, pushed off the front foot to mid on. |
| 10.5 : J Anderson to Pujara, Shortish ball, seaming in. CP camps back and presents a water-tight defense. |
| 10.6 : J Anderson to Pujara, Edged but safe! Pujara is not moving his feet in the correct manner. This time he camps back to a fullish ball around off. Pushes at it but ends up edging it behind. Luckily for him, it goes on the bounce to the second slip fielder. The soft hands saved him there. |
| 11.1 : S Broad to Dhawan, That could have gone anywhere! Back of a length ball attacking the rib-cage of the batsman. Dhawan tries to tuck it away but gets a leading edge. Broad in his followthrough stretches out his right hand but the ball lands safely. |
| 11.2 : S Broad to Dhawan, In the zone outside off, Shikhar leaves it alone. |
| 11.3 : S Broad to Dhawan, Full ball swinging away, Dhawan plants his front foot across and doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 11.4 : S Broad to Dhawan, Harmless ball well outside off, third leave in a row by Dhawan. |
| 11.5 : S Broad to Dhawan, FOUR! Pristing timing on that one! Full ball on middle and leg, Dhawan moves inside the line exposing his leg stump. He connects nicely with the flick as he plays it behind square leg. Rashid in the deep hares to his right but only comes second best. That one flew off the bat. |
| 11.6 : S Broad to Dhawan, Good length ball outside off, Dhawan knows where his off stump is and makes an assured leave. |
| Sam Curran comes into the attack. He was the hero for England in the first Test in Edgbaston. He was also the star with the bat in the previous innings. Can he put in a similar performance with the ball too? |
| 12.1 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Starts off with a full length ball outside off, moves in late. Pujara covers his stumps and watches it sail through into the hands of the keeper. |
| 12.2 : Sam Curran to Pujara, There is a bit of a gap between Pujara's bat and pad when he is playing at deliveries. That will be encouraging for Curran. He lands this one outside off and gets it to shape in appreciably. CP comes ahead and keeps it out to the off side. |
| 12.3 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Pujara is playing late! He waits for this pitched up ball and taps it to covers. |
| 12.4 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Pitched up ball outside off, jagging away with the natural left-armer's angle. Cheteshwar doesn't flirt with danger. |
| 12.5 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Back of a length ball on off, Pujara hangs back and pushes at it but gets it off the outer half towards gully. |
| 12.6 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Curran begins with a maiden. Good stuff from him. Brings this one back in late. Pujara leans ahead and dead-bats it. |
| 13.1 : S Broad to Dhawan, On a length outside off, taking off with extra bounce and nipping away too. Dhawan points his bat skywards to allow it through. |
| 13.2 : S Broad to Dhawan, Harmless ball on the fifth stump channel, not fiddled with. |
| 13.3 : S Broad to Dhawan, Broad continues to bowl in the outside off stump channel. Shikhar watches it go past him. |
| 13.4 : S Broad to Dhawan, Fourth leave in a row. Wide outside off, shaping away. Dhawan lets it be. |
| 13.5 : S Broad to Dhawan, Ooh! Much better from Broad. Lands this one in the corridor of uncertainty and gets the ball to nip away off the seam. Dhawan who is looking to leave it alone decides to put his bat down late. Is late anyway as the ball whizzes past his outside edge. |
| Dhawan has been caught by Cook in the slip cordon. Was there an inside edge? England certainly feel so as Cook has a conversation with his teammates and challenges the decision. |
| 13.6 : S Broad to Dhawan, Safe! There is no inside edge! England are following in their opposition's footsteps and waste a review. Good length ball around off, straightens after landing. Dhawan tries to play it across and the ball goes off something behind. Cook at first slip takes it and appeals along with Broad. Kumar Dharmasena remains unmoved though. The English skipper gets into a meeting with some of his men and then decides to take the review. Well, the first replay shows that there is a l |
| 14.1 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Pitched up ball around off, Pujara keeps his bat and pad close together and defends it tentatively. |
| 14.2 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Continues to probe in the off stump channel, Cheteshwar brings his bat down late and blocks it. |
| 14.3 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Short of a length on middle, tucked towards mid-wicket. |
| 14.4 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Curran brings out the bouncer surprisingly. Pujara is taken aback a touch but does well to sway away from the line and drops his wrists. |
| 14.5 : Sam Curran to Pujara, On a length on middle and leg, some nibble in the air. Pujara fails to defend it and is hit on the thigh pad. No real appeal for an LBW as it was heading down leg. |
| 14.6 : Sam Curran to Pujara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 15.1 : S Broad to Dhawan, No run. |
| 15.2 : S Broad to Dhawan, Full ball outside off, Dhawan charges down the track. Don't know why he was doing so. Anyways, he doesn't fiddle with it. Sanity prevails. |
| 15.3 : S Broad to Dhawan, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 15.4 : S Broad to S Dhawan, Full ball outside off, eased nicely through covers for a couple. |
| 15.5 : S Broad to Dhawan, Wide outside off, Shikhar leaves it alone. |
| 15.6 : S Broad to Dhawan, On a length around off, moving away after landing. Dhawan allows it through. |
| 16.1 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Outside off, Pujara plants his front foot across to allow it through. |
| 16.2 : Sam Curran to Pujara, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. |
| 16.3 : Sam Curran to Dhawan, On a length outside off, leaving Dhawan. He doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 16.4 : Sam Curran to Dhawan, On a length, takes off with some extra bounce. Dhawan tries to tuck it away but is hit high on the pads. A polite inquiry from the Englishmen has not been answered. That was high and was going down leg too. |
| 16.5 : Sam Curran to Dhawan, Nicely done! Too straight from Curran, flicked away neatly to deep square leg to rotate strike. |
| 16.6 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Full length ball in the tight off stump channel, Pujara defends it with his bat and pad close together. |
| 17.1 : S Broad to Dhawan, Dhawan chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 17.2 : S Broad to Dhawan, Good from Broad. Good length ball around off, Dhawan comes forward to play it but misses the ball. |
| 17.3 : S Broad to Dhawan, This one is too far to make Dhawan to play at it. |
| 17.4 : S Broad to Dhawan, Length again outside the off stump, Dhawan watches it goes through to the keeper. |
| 17.5 : S Broad to Dhawan, OUT! Broad gets his man to play and gets him to nick. Four previous balls which went away and Dhawan was happy to leave it alone. This one too was shaping away but he is tempted to fish at this. Broad serves this full on that fifth stump channel, Dhawan leans ahead to drive it but gets a thick outside edge to it. The ball flies towards the cordon where Buttler dives to his left and takes a good low catch. |
| Virat Kohli is the next man in. |
| 17.6 : S Broad to Kohli, Pitches it up to Kohli around off, Virat gets behind the ball and bunts it down. |
| 18.1 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Stays back and defends the ball off his back foot. |
| 18.2 : Sam Curran to Pujara, No foot movement as he blocks this ball from within the crease. |
| 18.3 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Fullish delivery on the pads, flicked away through square leg for a brace. |
| 18.4 : Sam Curran to C Pujara, Pitched up again around off, Pujara gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 18.5 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Played to the point region by Che. |
| 18.6 : Sam Curran to Pujara, FOUR! Shot! First for Pujara and a lovely one. Sam serves it up outside off. Pujara's eyes light up, he reaches for the ball and eases it through covers for a boundary. |
| 19.1 : S Broad to Kohli, FOUR! Kohli cover drive! Two in two balls for India. One from Pujara and the other one from the skipper. Broad into his 8th over of the spell, pitches this up around off. Kohli who has just faced one ball before this goes ahead and drives it sweetly through covers. Nobody moves and Kohli is up and running. |
| 19.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Back of a length ball outside off, Kohli hits it through mid off to get off strike. |
| 19.3 : S Broad to Pujara, FOUR! Streaky! Broad making Pujara to make mistakes. Bowls this short and wide outside off. Pujara stays inside, opens the bat face and guides it uppishly over the cordon. The ball runs away to the fence. Pujara needs to be careful. |
| 19.4 : S Broad to Pujara, Full this time around off, Pujara stonewalls it. |
| 19.5 : S Broad to C Pujara, That ball has taken the inside edge of Che and thudded into his pads. |
| 19.6 : S Broad to C Pujara, Sweet! But not the best of timings. Broad serves it up in line of the stumps. Pujara gets bat to it and drives it down the ground along the turf. The mid off fielder hares towards the ball to keep it to two. |
| 20.1 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Full outside off, Kohli hits it to the off side and shouts a loud NO. Remember, Kohli and Pujara are in the middle, the calling is going to be loud and clear. |
| 20.2 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Kohli lets this ball go outside his off stump. |
| 20.3 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Uses his feet to perfection to get behind the ball and plays in into the ground. |
| 20.4 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Full and outside off, Kohli shoulders his arms to it. |
| 20.5 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Leg side and Kohli will think he has misses out there. The only man on the leg side it the man at deep square leg. Sam bowls this on a good length on the pads, Kohli tries flicking it but cannot get bat to ball. |
| 20.6 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Played to the point region by Virat. |
| 21.1 : J Anderson to Pujara, The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for CP. |
| 21.2 : J Anderson to Pujara, Comes in from over the wicket and lands this outside off. It moves away and Pujara points his bat skywards and lets it be. |
| 21.3 : J Anderson to Pujara, Pujara does what the fans wanted him to do. 'Give Kohli the strike and let him face Anderson'. Che plays this with soft hands towards cover-point and moves to the other end. |
| 21.4 : J Anderson to Kohli, Full and outside off, Kohli leaves it alone. |
| 21.5 : J Anderson to V Kohli, FOUR! Anderson gets the edge but it goes past the slip cordon and towards the boundary. Full and outside off, Kohli reaches for it and gets a fat edge to it. The ball flies past the third slip and to the third man region to meet the fence. 6000 Test runs for Virat Kohli and he becomes the second fastest Indian to get there. |
| 21.6 : J Anderson to Kohli, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 22.1 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Full and outside off, left alone. |
| 22.2 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Gets to the pitch of the ball and bunts this down. |
| 22.3 : Sam Curran to C Pujara, Drags his length back on middle and leg, Pujara pulls it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 22.4 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Full and on that fifth stump line, Kohli plays it into the ground with a full bat face. |
| 22.5 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Sam is pitching it up but Kohli is not tempted to drive. Gets behind the ball and plays it with soft hands. |
| 22.6 : Sam Curran to Kohli, On a good length this time wide outside off, Kohli leaves it alone. |
| 23.1 : J Anderson to Pujara, FOUR! Cut away and cut away nicely to the boundary. Short and wide outside off, Pujara rocks back and slaps this through point for a good looking boundary. |
| 23.2 : J Anderson to Pujara, Better from Anderson. Gets his line and length better on his occasion. Serves it full on middle and leg, Pujara gets it off his inner half through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 23.3 : J Anderson to Pujara, Gets the ball to shape away from Pujara who is happy to leave it alone. |
| 23.4 : J Anderson to Pujara, On a good length, pitched up outside off, Pujara shoulders his arms to it as the ball moves away from him. |
| 23.5 : J Anderson to Pujara, Closer to the off pole, Che drives it to mid off. |
| 23.6 : J Anderson to Pujara, Anderson is getting the ball to move through the air. Gets this one into the batsman. Pujara covers his stumps and hits it towards the bowler. |
| 24.1 : Sam Curran to Kohli, FOUR! In the air...but safe. England will want that man at gully closer. Curran darts this full and way outside off, Kohli gets low and reaches for the ball. Opens the bat face at the last moment and slices it towards gully. Stokes there dives but the ball is away from him. The ball races to the boundary. The umpire signals a boundary. |
| 24.2 : Sam Curran to Kohli, VK works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 24.3 : Sam Curran to Pujara, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 24.4 : Sam Curran to Pujara, On a good length outside off, Pujara thinks of playing at it but withdraws at the last moment. |
| 24.5 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Pitched up ball outside off, Pujara waits for it and drives it in the gap through covers. The man from the circle runs after it and keeps it to two. |
| 24.6 : Sam Curran to C Pujara, Full again around off, Pujara drives it to mid off. |
| 25.1 : J Anderson to Kohli, FOUR! On his way to 7000 runs! Shots like these, makes Kohli the player he is. Pitched up ball outside off, Kohli takes a step ahead and drives it through covers. The fielder dives near the ropes but cannot prevent the ball from stopping the fence. |
| 25.2 : J Anderson to Kohli, On a good length down the leg side, Kohli goes after it but cannot make any contact. |
| 25.3 : J Anderson to Kohli, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 25.4 : J Anderson to Kohli, Gets to the pitch of the ball and plays it into the ground. |
| 25.5 : J Anderson to V Kohli, Full on middle and leg, Kohli gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 25.6 : J Anderson to V Kohli, Close! Full again on middle and off, Kohli leans ahead to drive but gets an inside edge to it. The ball goes past the leg stump towards fine leg for a run. |
| Keaton Jennings is called into the attack to have a shy. |
| 26.1 : K Jennings to Kohli, On a good length outside off, Kohli defends it easily. |
| 26.2 : Jennings to Kohli, Keaton shouldn't be taken lightly. Bowls this on a back of a length down leg, Kohli misses his flick and gets hit on his thigh pad. They appeal but with no real intent. |
| 26.3 : K Jennings to Kohli, Full on middle and leg, hit to mid on. |
| 26.4 : K Jennings to Kohli, Short ball way outside off, Kohli leaves it alone. |
| 26.5 : K Jennings to Kohli, The ball is down the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. |
| 26.6 : K Jennings to Kohli, Kohli works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| Time for spin. Adil Rashid to roll his arm over now. Can he strike before Lunch? |
| 27.1 : A Rashid to Kohli, Action straightaway! Slips in the googly first up, Kohli probably reads it and tries to flick it away with the spin but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball lobs and falls behind the vacant silly point region. |
| 27.2 : A Rashid to Kohli, Poor from Anderson! Tossed up outside off, driven towards him as he fumbles. The batsmen scurry across for a quick run. Well, there is a wild throw from James too at the striker's end which allows them to take an overthrow. |
| 27.3 : A Rashid to Kohli, Outside off, spinning away, left alone. |
| 27.4 : A Rashid to V Kohli, Slower through the air, pitched right up, eased off the front foot towards mid off. |
| 27.5 : A Rashid to Kohli, Another googly from Rashid. It is shorter in length which allows Kohli to rock back and work it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 27.6 : A Rashid to Pujara, Quicker and flatter outside off, Pujara lets it be. |
| 28.1 : K Jennings to Kohli, On a good length on middle and off, Kohli gets ahead to block it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 28.2 : K Jennings to Kohli, Back of a length ball down leg, Kohli hops and tucks it away to the on side for one. |
| 28.3 : K Jennings to Pujara, Che lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 28.4 : K Jennings to Pujara, Full and outside off, Pujara watches the ball go through. |
| 28.5 : K Jennings to Pujara, Runs in from over the wicket and darts it around off, Pujara dead-bats it. |
| 28.6 : K Jennings to Pujara, Shot! Another back of a length ball outside off, Pujara transfers his weight to his back foot and punches the ball through covers. Does not go all the way but will get two for it. |
| 29.1 : A Rashid to Kohli, Tossed up ball around off, drives with soft hands to mid off. |
| 29.2 : A Rashid to Kohli, Leg spinner outside off, Kohli shoulders his arms to it. |
| 29.3 : A Rashid to Kohli, Quicker one in line of the stumps, Kohli plays it with a straight bat. |
| 29.4 : A Rashid to Kohli, Misses his length and serves a juicy full toss outside off, Kohli drives it through extra cover for just a single. |
| 29.5 : A Rashid to Pujara, What was that? Googly which pitched on the rough. Lucky for Pujara it didn't shoot up. Rashid serves this outside off, the ball pitches on a rough patch and keeps very low. Pujara does not offer any shot to it. |
| 29.6 : A Rashid to Pujara, Another googly coming in after pitching, Pujara hits it through point to retain strike. 100 comes up for India. The 50-run stand is also up between the two. Good going from them. |
| Last over before Lunch. Meanwhile, Moeen Ali is called on for a bowl. |
| 30.1 : M Ali to Pujara, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 30.2 : M Ali to Pujara, Stays inside his crease and bunts this ball down. |
| 30.3 : M Ali to Pujara, Che has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 30.4 : M Ali to Pujara, Cries of catch it but it is far from the short leg fielder. Pujara comes ahead to this tossed up ball and defends it. The ball lobs up but it is away from the short leg fielder. |
| 30.5 : M Ali to Pujara, Again! Not too far from the short leg fielder. Pujara looks to bunt this down but it lobs up to the on side. Falls safely though. |
| 30.6 : M Ali to Pujara, Good over from Moeen. Pujara and India can go into the break without more damage. Gets to the pitch of the ball and defends this ball. Lunch on Day 2. |
| Good cricket overall. Some good bowling and equally smart batting. Clearly India on top at this point. They have seen off the new ball and have lost just their openers. Captain Kohli will be pleased with the way his side has shown application so far. KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan came out with positive intent. They were scoring at a healthy rate too. After the former's dismissal, the scoring went a tad slow. Rahul got out to a good ball but the southpaw threw his wicket away. Cheteshwar Pujara and |
| Stuart Broad and James Anderson were better with the ball today compared to last evening's four overs. They were pitching the ball up and were inviting the batsmen to drive. Broad bowling long spells was rewarded with a brace of wickets. The spinners have not got their hands on the ball much but we will see more of that post Lunch. |
| Remember, the pitch is easing out and and it is only going to become easier to bat with the ball becoming softer. India should be patient and play the way they are playing. England, on the other hand, will have to get things done themselves. Join us in a short while for the second session. |
| ... Day 2, Session 2 ... |
| We are back for the afternoon session. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli to resume their innings. Stuart Broad to steam in with the ball first up after Lunch. Three slips in place. Here we go... |
| 31.1 : S Broad to Kohli, On a length on middle and leg, tucked away nicely towards square leg. |
| 31.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Well, the communication between Kohli and Pujara is not good when it comes to running between the wickets. Good length ball well outside off, Virat taps it towards point and takes off. He is egging his partner to respond to him but he tells him to go back. Well, the fielder was a bit deep so there was a run on offer. |
| 31.3 : S Broad to Kohli, That one took off! On a length outside off, some extra bounce and away seam movement there as Kohli makes a watchful leave. |
| 31.4 : S Broad to Kohli, That was risky! These two have to work hard on their calling. Fullish ball outside off, Kohli taps it towards cover-point and calls Pujara through to which he agrees. The fielder picks up the ball and has a shy at the striker's end but misses as Cheteshwar has to dive in. Would have been safe though even if that hit but they need to be careful. |
| 31.5 : S Broad to Pujara, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 31.6 : S Broad to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| Moeen Ali to bowl from the other end. |
| 32.1 : M Ali to Kohli, Spinning into Kohli who leans ahead and taps it towards mid-wicket. |
| 32.2 : M Ali to Kohli, That's the line and length to be bowling on this track. Tossed up on the rough patch outside off and it spins in sharply to go past the defense of Kohli and raps him on the pads. |
| 32.3 : M Ali to V Kohli, Fuller in length, knocked down to mid on for an easy run. |
| 32.4 : M Ali to Pujara, Pujara comes down the track to the loopy ball and defends it down. |
| 32.5 : M Ali to Pujara, Drifting towards the pads, helped to square leg. |
| 32.6 : M Ali to Pujara, Shorter in length, allows enough time to Che to rock back and cut it through point for a run. He will retain the strike. |
| 33.1 : S Broad to Pujara, Good length ball on off, cutting in with some appreciable bounce. Pujara hops and defends it to towards short mid-wicket. Shouts NO loudly to Kohli. |
| 33.2 : S Broad to C Pujara, FOUR! When you flash, flash hard! A pretty safe shot in the end. Short and there is width on offer. Pujara slaps it but gets it off the outer half over the slip cordon for a rocketing boundary. |
| The man at deep backward gully moves to third man. He is being moved finer. |
| 33.3 : S Broad to Pujara, That's a jaffa! Broad bowls this one with a slightly scrambled seam. It is coming in initially with the natural over the wicket angle but once it lands, it nips away to go past the forward push of Che. He had no clue about that. |
| 33.4 : S Broad to Pujara, Short of a length outside off, punched sweetly off the back foot to the man at point. |
| 33.5 : S Broad to Pujara, Pujara is so watchful! Keeps his eyes on the incoming short of a length ball and makes an assured leave. |
| 33.6 : S Broad to Pujara, FOUR! This time he is also watchful but with aggressive intent. Short and asking for trouble as it it well outside off. Pujara stands tall and cuts it through the point region to pick up his second boundary of the over. |
| 34.1 : M Ali to Kohli, Full ball outside off, creamed to sweeper cover for a run. |
| 34.2 : M Ali to Pujara, Slower through the air, spinning in, bunted down the pitch. |
| 34.3 : M Ali to C Pujara, Allows for the ball to come to him and drives it with the spin past the right side of the bowler for a single. |
| 34.4 : M Ali to Kohli, Shorter in length, Kohli camps back and works it with the spin to mid on for a quick run. |
| 34.5 : M Ali to Pujara, On a flatter trajectory, Che hangs back and works it towards square leg. |
| 34.6 : M Ali to Pujara, Shouts of catch it but there was no bat involved! Turning in sharply, Pujara comes ahead and pads it away towards leg gully. |
| 35.1 : S Broad to Kohli, In the zone outside off, the Indian skipper allows it through. |
| 35.2 : S Broad to Kohli, FOUR! Sit back and enjoy! That was a mere push but the timing on that one was sensational. Fractionally overpitched on middle, Kohli who is standing outside his crease strokes it past Broad and through mid on to find the fence. |
| Anderson is suggesting something to Broad. They are probably discussing about whether they should bring the backward gully back in position. |
| 35.3 : S Broad to Kohli, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 35.4 : S Broad to Kohli, Well bowled! That is the area that Broad needs to target, Kohli's off stump. Fuller in length around off, seams away a touch. Kohli pushes at it but gets beaten. |
| 35.5 : S Broad to Kohli, Peach! He bowled a similar ball in his previous over to Pujara. Lands it in the corridor of uncertainty and then gets it to straighten to go past the defense of the clueless Kohli. |
| 35.6 : S Broad to Kohli, On a fullish length, shaping in nicely. Kohli gets on top of the bounce and defends it to covers. Brilliant over from Broad. |
| 36.1 : M Ali to Pujara, Pujara camps back and places the short ball towards square leg. |
| 36.2 : M Ali to Pujara, Shorter in length again, Che has no trouble in dealing with it off the back foot. |
| 36.3 : M Ali to Pujara, Drifting in, too straight, clipped away smartly through square leg for a brace. |
| 36.4 : M Ali to Pujara, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 36.5 : M Ali to Kohli, FOUR! That could have been converted into an opportunity! Much better from Ali. After bowling 4 short balls, he bowls this one full outside off. Kohli is drawn into the drive and gets an outside edge. The ball goes through the gap between the keeper and Stokes at first slip and runs through to the fence. |
| 36.6 : M Ali to Kohli, Easy pickings! Spinning down the leg side, Kohli tucks it away through the vacant fine leg region. Rashid gives it a chase and saves a run for his side. |
| 37.1 : S Broad to Kohli, Pitched up ball around off, Kohli with a high elbow eases it to covers. |
| 37.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Good running! Straying on the pads this time, Kohli clips it through square leg and calls his partner through for a couple. |
| 37.3 : S Broad to Kohli, Full length ball attacking the stumps, pushed gently off the front foot towards mid on. |
| 37.4 : S Broad to Kohli, Nice inswinger from Broad. On a length outside off, coming in appreciably. Kohli covers his stumps and watches the ball go through to the keeper. |
| 37.5 : S Broad to Kohli, Overpitched outside off, driven hard to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 37.6 : S Broad to Pujara, On a length around off, cutting in. Pujara blocks it with his bat and pad close together. |
| 38.1 : M Ali to Kohli, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 38.2 : M Ali to V Kohli, Floated outside off, Kohli leans forward and drives it to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 38.3 : M Ali to Pujara, Uses his feet to this one but is not quite to the pitch of it and hence defends it. |
| 38.4 : M Ali to Pujara, Shorter in length, kept out watchfully. |
| 38.5 : M Ali to Pujara, Deft from Pujara! Pushed quicker through the air outside off, Che dabs it late towards third man. Stokes gives it a chase and slides near the fence. Kohli calls his partner through for the third and makes the danger end safely. |
| 38.6 : M Ali to Kohli, Spinning in from well outside off, Kohli shuffles a touch and defends it right under his eyes. |
| Sam Curran returns for a burst. |
| 39.1 : Sam Curran to Pujara, A huge appeal for an LBW falls on deaf ears! Curran starts from around the wicket and bowls a length ball around off. It comes in with the natural angle as it seems to have gone past Pujara's defense and brushes his pads. It lobs towards the slip cordon and falls down safely. The Englishmen appeal but the umpire turns it down. Root thinks about the review but doesn't go for it. There might have been an inside edge there as well, suggest the replays. |
| 39.2 : Sam Curran to Pujara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 39.3 : Sam Curran to Pujara, On a length outside off, Pujara hangs back and plays it with an angled bat to point. |
| 39.4 : Sam Curran to C Pujara, Very full ball around the off stump channel, squeezed out to the cover region. |
| 39.5 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Pitched up delivery, Che comes forward and dead-bats it. |
| 39.6 : Sam Curran to Pujara, FOUR! Hallmark of a really good player! Gets a fractionally overpitched delivery and pounces on it. Pujara leans ahead and drives it beautifully through extra cover for a delightful boundary. |
| 40.1 : M Ali to Kohli, Slower through the air, Kohli comes forward and presents a water-tight defense. |
| 40.2 : M Ali to V Kohli, Floated outside off, Virat strokes it through covers for a single. |
| 40.3 : M Ali to Pujara, Pujara is nimble on his feet as he skips down the track and helps it through square leg for an easy run. Moves to 49 with that. |
| 40.4 : M Ali to Kohli, Hangs back to a delivery which is on a flatter trajectory and blocks it nicely. |
| 40.5 : M Ali to Kohli, Beaten all ends up! Tossed up delivery well outside off, drawing Kohli forward. He tries to cover the non-existent turn and the ball goes past the outside edge of his bat. Buttler takes the bails off but Virat hasn't dragged his back foot out. |
| 40.6 : M Ali to Kohli, Fullish ball around off, driven to mid on for a single. |
| 41.1 : Sam Curran to V Kohli, OUT! England have sent the big fish packing! That dismissal will boost the morale of the Englishmen by bounds and leaps. On a length outside off, angled across, Kohli comes forward and does the mistake of playing away from his body. A fat outside edge results as the ball flies towards Alastair Cook at first slip. He gets low to his right and takes a very fine catch. The Indian skipper starts walking off immediately, showing good sportsmanship. In the previous inning |
| 0.0 : Ajinkya Rahane comes out to bat. |
| 41.2 : Sam Curran to Rahane, On a length outside off, Rahane glides it past point for a run and gets off the mark. |
| 41.3 : Sam Curran to Pujara, 19th Test fifty for Cheteshwar Pujara! Good length ball, Che tucks it off the inner half through backward square leg for a run. He has been solid as a rock and deserves all the applause. Needs to continue in the same manner, especially after his captain getting dismissed. |
| 41.4 : Sam Curran to Rahane, The batsman has played it to the point region. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. |
| 41.5 : Sam Curran to Rahane, Fullish ball around off, kept out watchfully. |
| 41.6 : Sam Curran to Rahane, Full ball outside off, Rahane doesn't fall for the bait and lets it go. |
| Ben Stokes to have a bowl now. |
| 42.1 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, No ball! Stokes oversteps straightaway! On a length around off, takes the inside edge of Pujara's bat and then dies down. |
| Ben Stokes to C Pujara, FOUR! Another chance perhaps! On a fuller length around off, Pujara pushes at it and gets an outside edge. Buttler is a bit late to react, dives to his left but the ball just goes past him and beats Cook as well through to the fence. The replays show that the ball was a catchable height for the keeper but he was slow to take off. Stokes is making an impact immediately. |
| 42.2 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 42.3 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Full ball outside off, driven to covers. |
| 42.4 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Full again outside off, shaping away late. Che doesn't chase it. |
| 42.5 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, In the same channel, Cheteshwar comes forward and dead-bats it. |
| 42.6 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, This one is way outside off, ignored by Pujara. |
| 43.1 : Sam Curran to Rahane, Angling in from around the wicket, on a outside off, Rahane dabs it with an open face behind point and crosses over. |
| 43.2 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Full and coming in from around off, Pujara brings a straight bat down in defense. |
| 43.3 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Back of a length, angling in on the hips, worked past square leg for one more. |
| 43.4 : Sam Curran to Rahane, Fires it on the stumps, quite full in length, pushed gently to mid on. Dot ball. |
| 43.5 : Sam Curran to Rahane, Short of a good length well outside off, Rahane taps it down square on the off side and takes a brisk run. |
| 43.6 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Sharp bumper from Curran, Pujara just about manages to evade it. |
| 44.1 : Ben Stokes to A Rahane, Dropped! A lot of activity is happening in the slip cordon. In the avenue of apprehension, shapes in a touch after landing. Rahane fishes at it and gets an outside edge behind. The ball flies towards Root at second slip. It is at a very low height as Joe dives to his right but the ball doesn't stick. It rolls towards third man and a run is taken. It was not an easy chance by any means. England are all over India at the moment. |
| 44.2 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, No ball! Stokes oversteps again, this time by a big margin! Fullish ball around off, kept out watchfully. |
| Ben Stokes to Pujara, On a length outside off, left alone. |
| 44.3 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Stokes slips this one down the leg side. It is short and has good pace on it but it is ill-directed. CP lets it go. |
| 44.4 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Stokes is bending his back! Good length ball outside off, a lot of nibble in the air. Pujara keeps it out off the inner half of the bat. |
| 44.5 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 44.6 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Shortish delivery, Che hops back and tucks it towards mid-wicket. |
| Time for Drinks! A really interesting contest between bat and ball is going on at the moment. After the dismissal of Virat Kohli, there is a new zeal and intensity among the Englishmen. Stokes and Curran are in good rhythm and they are inducing false strokes as well. Rahane and Pujara have to be watchful. |
| 45.1 : Sam Curran to Rahane, Shaping back in on a bit of a shorter length, it's clipped down to fine leg for one. |
| 45.2 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Stays behind the line and keeps it out without any problem. |
| 45.3 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Behind a good length, close to the off stick, Pujara presents a defensive bat in response. |
| 45.4 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Ooh! Venomous from Sam Curran. Some indecisiveness on Pujara's part too. Back of a length on middle, Pujara comes half-forward when he should be back and ends up getting it off the inside edge on the leg side. Close call. Lucky nothing drastic happened. |
| 45.5 : Sam Curran to Pujara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 45.6 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Moves inside the line and works it away on the leg side. |
| 46.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, FOUR! Overpitched and that's gleefully put away. Well outside off, moving away, Rahane reaches out to it and caresses the drive through the gap in the covers. Finds the fence with ease. |
| 46.2 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Back of a length outside off, blocked. |
| 46.3 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Angling in first before straightening up off the deck, Rahane places himself perfectly behind the line and defends. |
| 46.4 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Works it off his pads on the leg side for no run. |
| Review time. Rahane looks to be dead plumb. What will happen here? |
| 46.5 : Stokes to Rahane, OUT! Stokes gets the breakthrough. Take nothing away from him, that's a superb delivery, but that's possibly a no ball. Dicey call from the umpire. This will be one that will create a lot of chatter in the hours to follow. After a few outswingers, Big Ben brings this one in and gets some serious movement. Rahane attempts to block but is beaten completely and rapped on the front pad. A loud appeal goes up and the finger follows soon after. The batsman, after speaking with |
| Rishabh Pant is next in. |
| 46.6 : Ben Stokes to Pant, Stokes ends the over from around the wicket, bowls it outside off and makes it go away off the seam. Pant raises his bat and lets it pass. End of a successful over from Ben Stokes. |
| 47.1 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Curran spears a yorker on off stump, Pujara crouches really low and keeps it at bay. |
| 47.2 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Hits the deck hard and pounds it in short, angling into the batsman, Pujara ducks and evades. |
| 47.3 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Another bouncer, it's left alone. |
| 47.4 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Wide! Sam bangs it in short once more, but it's too short on this occasion. The umpire signals wide. |
| Sam Curran to Pujara, On the shorter side of the length, outside off, played away just wide of gully, but can't get it past the fielder. |
| 47.5 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Angling down leg, Pujara looks to tickle it fine but misses. Buttler dives to his left and makes a half-stop. A bye is taken. |
| 47.6 : Sam Curran to Pant, Pant plants his front foot forward and blocks the full ball with a straight blade. |
| 48.1 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Too full and too wide of off stump, Pujara is not going to bother himself with that. |
| 48.2 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, no shot offered. |
| 48.3 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Closes the face and flicks this through the gap in the mid-wicket area. One run to the total. |
| 48.4 : Ben Stokes to Pant, On the fuller side of things, attacking the stumps from around the wicket, Pant is comfortable as he meets the ball with his bat. |
| 48.5 : Ben Stokes to Pant, No ball! Stokes oversteps as he hurls it outside off, so the umpire signals it as a no ball. |
| Ben Stokes to Pant, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 48.6 : Ben Stokes to Pant, One more outside the line of off stump and another leave from the left-hander. |
| James Anderson is back. |
| 49.1 : J Anderson to Pujara, Keeps it outside off and on a length, Pujara covers the line and leaves. |
| 49.2 : J Anderson to Pujara, Watches the ball closely and lets it go past him as it's well away. Stokes needs to bring it closer to the off stick. |
| Hawk Eye has gone down for the time being. Some technical issue probably. That means that there will be no DRS available till it's back up and running. |
| 49.3 : J Anderson to Pujara, Does just that, but it's still not close enough. Cheteshwar ensures to cover the line and let it be. |
| 49.4 : J Anderson to Pujara, Arms are shouldered to this length ball outside off. Again. |
| 49.5 : J Anderson to Pujara, Length ball, it's run down to third man with an open face. Single taken. |
| 49.6 : J Anderson to Pant, Around the wicket to Pant, angling in on a length, the Indian keeper-batsman stays rooted in his crease and nudges it in front of square leg. |
| 50.1 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, That was nasty! Ouch! Stokes brings out the short one and it's quite accurate. Aimed right at Pujara who takes the pull shot on. The bounce gets too big on him though and he cops a blow on the helmet. It flies behind point and the batsmen change ends. Stokes checks up on him as Che takes his helmet off. |
| 0.0 : The physio is out to have a look at Pujara. He seems to be fine, which is good to see. Going to need just a breather from the looks of things. |
| 50.2 : Ben Stokes to R Pant, Full and outside off, Pant uses his feet and drives it to mid off. |
| 50.3 : Ben Stokes to Pant, Fullish again on middle and leg, Pant plays it with a straight bat. |
| 50.4 : Ben Stokes to Pant, Comes in from round the wicket and serves it on a good length outside off, the ball nips back in but Rishabh shoulders his arms to it. |
| 50.5 : Ben Stokes to Pant, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 50.6 : Ben Stokes to Pant, Stands inside his crease and hits this ball on the up towards mid on. |
| 51.1 : J Anderson to Pujara, Full in length and on the pads, Pujara comes half-forward and clips it the man in front of square leg. |
| 51.2 : J Anderson to Pujara, In that off stump channel, it's left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 51.3 : J Anderson to C Pujara, Bit of width offered outside off, Pujara gets this off the outer half down towards third man. One run collected. |
| Anderson is not happy with the shape of the ball. He shows it to the umpire who puts it through the 8-shaped gauge. Goes through just fine and he asks him to continue with it. |
| 51.4 : J Anderson to Pant, Coming in at first before seaming away, Pant makes a good leave. |
| 51.5 : J Anderson to Pant, Closer to off, on a good length, goes off the inside edge and thuds into the pads. |
| 51.6 : J Anderson to Pant, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 52.1 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Heavy inward movement for Ben Stokes. Comes a long way in from outside off, Pujara does well to flick this through mid-wicket and get one. |
| 52.2 : Ben Stokes to Pant, Shaping away late from Pant, who hangs his bat out to play at it. Could have edged it, needs to be careful. |
| 52.3 : Ben Stokes to Pant, Fullish in length and making the batsman play, Pant is half-forward to defend. |
| 52.4 : Ben Stokes to Pant, Short ball outside the line of off stump, evaded without much problem. |
| 52.5 : Ben Stokes to Pant, Wide of off again, left alone for the keeper. |
| 52.6 : Ben Stokes to Pant, The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to short third man. |
| 53.1 : J Anderson to Pujara, Aiming the top of off stump, on a good length, Cheteshwar Pujara meets it with a straight bat. |
| 53.2 : J Anderson to Pujara, Hurled wider of off than he would have liked, no way Che plays at it. |
| 53.3 : J Anderson to Pujara, Not giving Pujara any room as Anderson pitches it quite close to off, the batsman can only defend it out. |
| 53.4 : J Anderson to Pujara, A rare bad ball and Pujara gets a run off it. Places it behind point and jogs over to the other end. |
| 53.5 : J Anderson to Pant, Too far outside off from around the wicket, Pant shoulders arms to it. |
| 53.6 : J Anderson to Pant, Rishabh chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 54.1 : Ben Stokes to C Pujara, FOUR! A boundary after ages. Oh that's just beautiful. Beautiful. Could watch that all day long. Pujara nicely leans forward to this full length ball and drives it through the covers to find the fence. No stopping that. |
| 54.2 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, FOUR! Two in two for Che. A bit too straight in line and Pujara doesn't think twice to put it away. Tickles it fine down the leg side, past a diving Jos Buttler for consecutive boundaries. |
| 54.3 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Stifled shout but Stokes pulls out of it immediately. Cutting back in from a good length, Pujara is caught high on the thigh pads. Rightly, the umpire doesn't bother it. |
| 54.4 : Ben Stokes to Pujara, Back of a length outside off, punched through the covers for a single. |
| 54.5 : Ben Stokes to Pant, In the off stump channel, Pant doesn't flirt with it. |
| 54.6 : Ben Stokes to Pant, A play and a miss as Pant throws his bat at it only to miss. Pant is yet to get off the mark. |
| 55.1 : J Anderson to Pujara, Short of a good length outside off, blocked off the back foot. |
| 55.2 : J Anderson to Pujara, Length delivery, close to off, safely pushed away. |
| 55.3 : J Anderson to Pujara, Not threatening the batsman at all as the bowler bowls it outside off, arms are shouldered. |
| 55.4 : J Anderson to C Pujara, Short and wide, cut away square on the off side for a single. |
| 55.5 : J Anderson to Pant, From around the wicket, it's in the channel outside off, Pant plays away from his body and gets beaten. |
| 55.6 : J Anderson to Pant, He is not off the mark yet. Pant shoulders arms to let it through and Buttler fumbles. The batsmen take a bye to end the over. |
| Moeen Ali back on to bowl the last over before Tea. |
| 56.1 : M Ali to Pant, Looped up outside off, driven to the man at cover. |
| 56.2 : M Ali to Pant, Makes use of the feet to get close to the ball and keeps it out. |
| 56.3 : M Ali to Pant, OUT! Pant is gone for a duck, despite facing 29 deliveries! Unbelievable. He hasn't looked as assured as he did in the previous game and eventually, Moeen Ali ends his misery. Tosses this up on leg, it spins and strikes Pant on the front pad as he misses his defense. A loud shout goes up and so does the finger. No reviews left so there's nothing he can do. Was gone anyway, the replays confirmed that. A dead duck. That will be TEA ON DAY 2! |
| So England have somewhat pulled things back in this afternoon session. Leaked 81 runs but picked up three vital wickets, of Kohli, Rahane (whose dismissal was questionable) and at the stroke of the break, Pant. Pujara is still standing out there, holding one end. The coming batsmen will have to support him well as India still trail by 65 runs. Ben Stokes and Sam Curran made all the difference with their fiery and attacking spells, picking up a wicket each and Moeen Ali got the third one on what |
| ... Day 2, Session 3... |
| We are back for the last session of the day. Expect India to be more positive now. They will take a lead of 50-odd runs with both hands. Hardik Pandya joins Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease. Moeen Ali will continue his over. |
| 56.4 : M Ali to Pandya, Tosses it up around off, Pandya gets forward and bunts it down. |
| 56.5 : M Ali to Pandya, FOUR! 29 balls for Pant to get off the mark. Hardik Pandya, 'Hold my Beer'. Gets on one knee to this floated ball and sweeps this through mid-wicket for a rocketing boundary. |
| 56.6 : M Ali to Pandya, Comes ahead and hits this ball to the off side. |
| 57.1 : J Anderson to Pujara, Anderson comes in from over the wicket and lands it on a good length outside off, Che takes a step and drives it to mid off. |
| 57.2 : J Anderson to Pujara, On a good length again outside off, Pujara watches the ball go through to the keeper. |
| 57.3 : J Anderson to Pujara, Fuller this time in line of the stumps, Che plays it onto the ground. |
| 57.4 : J Anderson to Pujara, Full again outside off, Pujara hits it towards cover-point. |
| 57.5 : J Anderson to Pujara, Nice! Back of a length ball outside off, Pujara rocks back and cuts this uppishly over backward point for a brace. |
| 57.6 : J Anderson to Pujara, Shuffles across and milks this through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 58.1 : M Ali to Pujara, Tossed this ball outside off, CP uses his feet and drives it towards extra cover for a run. |
| 58.2 : M Ali to Pandya, Another one given air, Pandya gets behind the ball and plays it with a straight bat. |
| 58.3 : M Ali to Pandya, OUT! Outstanding catch! England ripping the Indian lower middle order and have not only got themselves back into this game, but also in a comfortable zone. India's tail are not that strong as that of the hosts and they will hope they wrap this up ASAP. Moeen floats this around off, Pandya comes ahead and looks to milk this away. Root with a perfect field set has positioned himself at short mid-wicket. He dives to his left and takes a good low catch. |
| Ravichandran Ashwin walks out to the middle. |
| 58.4 : M Ali to Ashwin, Ashwin is off the mark. Plays this with soft hands towards mid off and gets to the other end. |
| 58.5 : M Ali to Pujara, Che rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 58.6 : M Ali to Pujara, Pujara gets to the pitch of the ball and drives it through covers. They pick up a single. |
| 59.1 : J Anderson to Pujara, Anderson is going to bowl this way. Going to give some chin music to these batsmen. Digs one in on middle and leg, Pujara sways away to this. |
| 59.2 : J Anderson to Pujara, Another one banged in short. Che ducks in time to let it pass. |
| 59.3 : J Anderson to Pujara, Outside off, Pujara cuts it past point to get to the other end. |
| 59.4 : J Anderson to Ashwin, Fuller one for Ashwin who drives it to mid off. |
| 59.5 : J Anderson to Ashwin, The ball is way wide on the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. The batsmen have run through for a single. Byes signalled by the umpire. |
| 59.6 : J Anderson to Pujara, Pujara has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single. |
| 60.1 : M Ali to Pujara, Short and wide, Pujara square cuts this to give Ashwin the strike. |
| 60.2 : M Ali to Ashwin, Goes back and punches this ball off his back foot to the off side. |
| 60.3 : M Ali to Ashwin, Off spinner outside off, Ashwin goes for the drive but fails to put bat to ball. |
| 60.4 : M Ali to Ashwin, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 60.5 : M Ali to Ashwin, OUT! Poor from Ashwin. Not the shot he should have played and it causes his downfall. Moeen gives this air outside off, Ashwin premeditates, gets on one knee and looks to reverse sweep this one. The ball hits the bottom of the bat, bounces and goes on to hit the timber. India far from reaching the hosts total, still trail by 51 runs. |
| Mohammed Shami is the new man in. |
| 60.6 : Ali to M Shami, OUT! Two in two for Moeen. What a spell from the bearded man. Comes in from over the wicket and lands this on middle and off, Shami goes back and looks to play it with a straight bat. The ball does just enough to go and hit the of pole. India have lost their last 6 wickets for 52 runs and Moeen will be on a hat-trick in his next over. |
| Ishant Sharma comes out to bat. |
| 61.1 : J Anderson to Pujara, Length ball outside off, Che leaves it alone. It will be interesting to see how Pujara plays with the tail here. |
| 61.2 : J Anderson to Pujara, Still not bothered to play at this. Sees the ball outside off and lets it be. |
| 61.3 : J Anderson to Pujara, Short ball on middle and leg, Pujara pulls it through mid-wicket but refuses to take the run. |
| 61.4 : J Anderson to Pujara, Short ball outside off, Pujara looks to pull it but cannot make contact. England will now look to keep Pujara on strike for the next two balls. The field is up. |
| 61.5 : J Anderson to Pujara, Length ball outside off, Pujara looks to cut it hard but the ball goes past his bat. |
| 61.6 : J Anderson to Pujara, Good from England. They keep Pujara on strike which means Sharma will face the hat-trick ball. Length ball outside off, Pujara looks to guide this one through the cordon but finds Moeen at gully. |
| 62.1 : M Ali to Sharma, No hat-trick for Moeen! A umbrella field for Sharma. Moeen tosses this one up outside off, Sharma gets ahead and bunts it down. |
| 62.2 : M Ali to Sharma, Positive intent from Sharma. Gets on one knee and sweeps the ball hard. Unfortunately for him, he finds the man at square leg. |
| 62.3 : M Ali to Sharma, Ishant has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 62.4 : M Ali to Sharma, FOUR! Shot! This is good from Sharma. Brings out the broom again, reaches for the ball from outside off and finds the fence through square leg. |
| 62.5 : M Ali to Sharma, Gets behind the ball and blocks this down. |
| 62.6 : M Ali to Sharma, Lovely from Sharma. Gets forward and stonewalls this ball into the ground. |
| 63.1 : J Anderson to Pujara, Nasty! This is the second time Che has got hit on the helmet. This one though not as bad as the previous one. Anderson digs it short down leg, Pujara sways away from it but the ball goes on to hit the back of his helmet. No damage done though. |
| 63.2 : J Anderson to Pujara, Shot! Another short ball outside off, Pujara stays inside and cuts it towards backward point for a brace. |
| 63.3 : J Anderson to C Pujara, Full and on middle and leg, Che hits it to mid on. |
| 63.4 : J Anderson to Pujara, Wide down the leg side, Che leaves it alone. |
| 63.5 : J Anderson to Pujara, Gets what he wants. Milks this through mid-wicket and gives Pujara the strike to face the last ball. |
| 63.6 : J Anderson to Sharma, Sharma survives. Outside off, no trouble for Sharma who leaves it alone. |
| 64.1 : M Ali to Pujara, Looks to play it delicately towards third man but hits it to the man stationed there. |
| 64.2 : M Ali to Pujara, Surprise. Pujara takes the run. Why? Let's find out. Plays this with soft hands to mid off and quickly hares to the other end. The fielder there, has a shy at the stumps but misses. |
| 64.3 : M Ali to Sharma, Now we know why! Does go all the way but a very good looking shot from Ishant. Ali gives this air outside off, Sharma uses his feet and lofts it over mid off. The ball stops near the ropes and the batsmen come back for the third run. |
| 64.4 : M Ali to Pujara, Strange that Pujara is giving the strike to Sharma. Pulls this ball through square leg to get to the other end. |
| 64.5 : M Ali to Sharma, Off spinner outside off, Sharma bunts it down. |
| 64.6 : M Ali to Sharma, Sharma looks confident. Gets behind this ball and plays it onto the ground. |
| 65.1 : J Anderson to Pujara, Short ball down leg, Pujara pulls it to deep square leg. A loud shout for NO from his partner. |
| 65.2 : J Anderson to C Pujara, Short ploy from Anderson. Pujara connects but does not run. |
| 65.3 : J Anderson to Pujara, Bangs this one short down the leg side. Pujara does not bother playing at this. |
| 65.4 : J Anderson to C Pujara, Another short ball, Pujara controls this pull to deep square leg but does not bother running. |
| 65.5 : J Anderson to Pujara, Short ball down leg, Che pulls it with ease to square leg and this time gets of strike. |
| 65.6 : J Anderson to Sharma, Length ball around off, Sharma plays it with a full face. |
| 66.1 : M Ali to Pujara, Ali tosses this one outside off, Pujara charges down the wicket and bunts it. |
| 66.2 : M Ali to Pujara, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 66.3 : M Ali to Pujara, Off spinner on off, Pujara rocks back and plays it onto the ground. |
| 66.4 : M Ali to Pujara, FOUR! Finally a boundary for Pujara. He is trying his best but does not play that much of white ball cricket. Waits for the ball to come to him and cuts it late towards third man for a boundary. |
| 66.5 : M Ali to Pujara, Stands tall and punches the ball through covers to get his partner the strike. |
| 66.6 : M Ali to Sharma, Well played. Googly on middle and leg, Sharma gets his bat down in time and blocks it well. |
| 67.1 : A Rashid to Pujara, Gets to the pitch of the ball and milks it through mid on. With the confidence Sharma is showing, they take the run. |
| 0.0 : Adil Rashid is called into the attack. |
| 67.2 : A Rashid to Sharma, Full of authority. Swipes this through square leg and gets two runs for it. |
| 67.3 : A Rashid to Sharma, Tossed up ball outside off, Sharma drives it to covers. |
| 67.4 : A Rashid to Sharma, An appeal for LBW has been turned down. Rashid bowls this outside off, Sharma looks to bring out the sweep again. He misses it this time and gets hit on his pads. They appeal but he was struck outside the line of the stumps. |
| 67.5 : A Rashid to Sharma, Keeps low, Sharma stonewalls it. |
| 67.6 : A Rashid to Sharma, Ishant has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 68.1 : M Ali to Pujara, Reads the off spinner and brings his pads out to get hit outside off. |
| 68.2 : M Ali to Pujara, Loopy ball outside off, Pujara looks to sweep this but gets hit on his pads. Another appeal which dies down. |
| 68.3 : M Ali to Pujara, CP has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 68.4 : M Ali to Pujara, Loopy ball outside off, Che dances down the track and hits this to the off side. |
| 68.5 : M Ali to Pujara, FOUR! Shot! Pujara moves to 94. What a confidence booster this will be from him if he gets to a 100 in England. Comes down the wicket again and chips this over mid-wicket all the way to the fence. |
| 68.6 : M Ali to Pujara, Can't find the gap and will not take strike for the next over. Works this off his pads but finds the man at square leg. |
| 69.1 : A Rashid to Sharma, And gives the strike to Pujara in the very first ball. Goes back and punches this ball to the off side to get to the other end. |
| 69.2 : A Rashid to Pujara, Steps out and hits this ball through covers to rotate strike. |
| 69.3 : A Rashid to Sharma, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 69.4 : A Rashid to I Sharma, Floated ball on middle and leg, Sharma comes down and looks to flick this away. Gets an inside edge towards short leg. |
| 69.5 : A Rashid to Sharma, Gives this too much air in line of the stumps, Sharma bunts it down. |
| 69.6 : A Rashid to Sharma, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 70.1 : M Ali to Pujara, Pujara dances down and pushes it through extra cover. Thinks long and hard about taking the run, then eventually takes it midway through the track. |
| 70.2 : M Ali to Sharma, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 70.3 : M Ali to Sharma, FOUR! Gets low early to this tossed up one and sweeps it behind square leg. Through the gap and that will be a boundary. |
| 70.4 : M Ali to Sharma, Stays inside the crease and keeps it out. |
| 70.5 : M Ali to Sharma, Works it off his pads but no run taken. |
| 70.6 : M Ali to I Sharma, OUT! Got 'em! 5th Test 5-fer for Moeen Ali. He's steamrolled the tail here. Gets another to his name. Lands it around off and it spins back in with some extra bounce. Goes off bat apparently, then the pad and into the hands of Alastair Cook at FSL. The finger goes up in response to the appeal but Ishant is upset. He indicates there's no bat but Snicko detects a feather. He's gone. End of a useful knock from him though. |
| Jasprit Bumrah is the last man in. |
| 71.1 : A Rashid to C Pujara, Short ball on middle and off, Pujara rocks back and pulls it towards cow corner. Finds the man and does not take the run. |
| 71.2 : A Rashid to Pujara, Leg spinner around off, Pujara watches it go through. |
| 71.3 : A Rashid to Pujara, Another one outside off, left alone. |
| 71.4 : A Rashid to Pujara, Stays back and cuts it to the man at point. |
| 71.5 : A Rashid to Pujara, Rashid sees Pujara charging down and darts this wide outside off. Pujara does not offer any shot and gets drags his foot back. |
| 71.6 : A Rashid to Pujara, Gets the single! Taps this with soft hands towards mid off and hares to complete the run. |
| 72.1 : M Ali to Pujara, Full and on the pads, flicked to the man at square leg. |
| 72.2 : M Ali to Pujara, Hammers this to deep wicket wicket. Don't think there was a second run there so he stays unmoved. |
| 72.3 : M Ali to Pujara, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 72.4 : M Ali to Pujara, Nicely done! Full and outside off, Pujara sweeps this one towards square leg. The man in the deep dives to keep it to two. Moves to 99 now. |
| LBW review! |
| 72.5 : M Ali to Pujara, NOT OUT! Impact outside off and he was offering a shot. Ali bowls this way outside off, Pujara gets his pad forward and bunts this down. The fielding side has a tame appeal but the umpire stays put. Moeen has a chat with his partner and they take it up. Replay shows us that the impact was outside off. |
| 72.6 : M Ali to Pujara, 100 for Pujara! His first in England and what a knock this has been. Ali gives this air in line of the stumps, Pujara charges down and lofts it over his head. The ball does not go all the way but they take the second run. Removes his helmet and soaks in all the applause. |
| 73.1 : A Rashid to Bumrah, Hangs back inside the crease and keeps it out. |
| 73.2 : A Rashid to Bumrah, Well done, Jasprit. That's well placed and the running between the wickets matches it. Works this through short fine leg and takes three. |
| 73.3 : A Rashid to Pujara, Pujara stays inside the crease and turns it away on the leg side. |
| 73.4 : A Rashid to C Pujara, Short ball, pulled away on the leg side for no run. |
| 73.5 : A Rashid to Pujara, The batsman dances down the track but decides to defend it. |
| 73.6 : A Rashid to Pujara, Full and straight, no turn on this outside off, Pujara kneels down to paddle sweep it but misses as the ball goes under his bat. |
| 74.1 : M Ali to J Bumrah, Bumrah survives and survives well. Guides this ball to third man and takes just a run. |
| 74.2 : M Ali to Pujara, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 74.3 : M Ali to Pujara, Pushed to cover for the man to collect it. |
| 74.4 : M Ali to Pujara, FOUR! Well played and nicely timed. Pujara is very good with spin, uses his feet and flicks this through mid-wicket. No fielder there and the ball meets the ropes. |
| 74.5 : M Ali to Bumrah, Comes down again and hits this to mid on for one. |
| 74.6 : M Ali to Bumrah, Good from Bumrah. Googly coming in, Bumrah plays it with a straight bat. |
| 75.1 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Full and around off, Pujara drives it to mid off. |
| 75.2 : Sam Curran to C Pujara, Short ball on the leg side, Che pulls it to deep square leg. Does not take the run. |
| 75.3 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Back of a length on off, Pujara pulls it through mid-wicket for nothing. |
| 75.4 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Fuller this time on middle and leg, flicked off his pads to the man at mid-wicket. |
| 75.5 : Sam Curran to Pujara, FOUR! On a good length outside off, Pujara stays back and drives it powerfully through covers. Beats the infield and the ball runs away. That is a shot of a man past the 3-figure mark. The deficit now is just 1. Can he though get a run in the next ball? |
| 75.6 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Clever from Sam. Very clever. Bowls it down the leg side. Pujara tries flicking it but cannot get bat to ball. England have six balls to get Jasprit out. |
| Stuart Broad is called back into the attack. Three slips and a short leg in place for him. |
| 76.1 : S Broad to Bumrah, Length ball aiming the top of off stump, Bumrah stands firm and blocks it under his nose. |
| 76.2 : S Broad to Bumrah, Just outside off, on a good length, Bumrah covers the line and lets it be. Judged that one quite well. |
| 76.3 : S Broad to Bumrah, Banged in short, Jasprit takes the pull on, but the bounce gets too big on him and he can't connect. |
| 76.4 : S Broad to Bumrah, Too straight in line, on a back of a length, it's tapped down in front of short leg. |
| 76.5 : S Broad to Bumrah, Hurled a little too far outside off, no way Bumrah will fiddle with that one. Easy leave for him to make. |
| 76.6 : S Broad to Bumrah, The full inswinger from Broad, Jasprit Bumrah does extremely well to keep this out. Flicks it down towards fine leg and obviously, takes no run. Pujara will be on strike for the next over. |
| 77.1 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Too far outside off, Pujara goes after it but misses. |
| 77.2 : Sam Curran to Pujara, And INDIA TAKE THE LEAD BY 1 RUN! Pujara pulls this away through mid-wicket for a couple and puts his team ahead of England. |
| 77.3 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Good length delivery on the off stick, blocked. |
| 77.4 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Short of a good length outside off, run down to gully for no run. |
| 77.5 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Wide! Too far outside off, across the tramline, wide called by the umpire. |
| Sam Curran to Pujara, Wide! Consecutive wides. That's a rare sight. Curran once again fires it full and too far outside off, the umpire raises his arms sideways. |
| Sam Curran to Pujara, Full in length on middle and leg, flicked through the gap in the leg side for a single. |
| 77.6 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, Swinging back in from around the wicket, full in length, it's clipped behind square on the leg side. One run taken to end the over. |
| 78.1 : S Broad to Bumrah, Close. Could have just as easily dragged it back on. Bumrah attempts to defend this fullish ball on off stump and gets an inside edge past the leg pole, down to fine leg. One run to the scoreboard. |
| 78.2 : S Broad to Pujara, Good save from Sam Curran. Nice effort. Broad errs in line and bowls it way wide down the leg side, Pujara misses the tickle and so does Buttler. The ball is racing away to the fine leg fence but Curran out in the deep moves to his right and pulls it inches inside the rope. Two byes taken. |
| 78.3 : S Broad to Pujara, Fraction straight in line, turned away on the leg side for nothing. |
| 78.4 : S Broad to Pujara, Full ball tailing back in, flicked comfortably down towards fine leg. The placement is good which will earn the batsman a couple. |
| 78.5 : S Broad to Pujara, He was expecting this. Waits for it, swivels and pulls it towards fine leg for one. |
| 78.6 : S Broad to Bumrah, Just ahead of a length, close to off, Jasprit meets it with the full face of the bat. |
| Adil Rashid is on again. |
| 79.1 : A Rashid to Pujara, Loopy leg break around off, full in length, Cheteshwar kneels down to sweep but can't make any sort of connection. |
| 79.2 : A Rashid to Pujara, Gives the charge to this tossed up delivery well outside off and drills it straight to extra cover. |
| 79.3 : A Rashid to Pujara, Some decent air on this one, outside the line of off stump, blocked. |
| 79.4 : A Rashid to Pujara, FOUR! Pujara taking the attack to the English bowling attack. Once again makes good use of his feet to get close to the pitch and lofts it over Joe Root's head at deep mid off. The English skipper tries chasing it down but can't keep it inside the rope. |
| 79.5 : A Rashid to Pujara, Pushes it gently to mid off. Dot ball. |
| 79.6 : A Rashid to Pujara, Well done, Pujara. He's farming the strike smartly. Plays it on the leg side and gets to the other end. |
| The second new ball has been taken. |
| 80.1 : S Broad to Pujara, Cutting back in from a good length, some extra bounce on offer, raps Pujara high on the thigh pad as he misses his shot. |
| 80.2 : S Broad to C Pujara, Full and fired just outside off, drilled right at the man at deep mid off. |
| 80.3 : S Broad to Pujara, FOUR! That is a terrific shot. Brute force and raw power from Cheteshwar Pujara. Haven't seen this side of him in a long time. He's expecting the ball to be full, so he uses the depth of the crease to get under the ball and lifts it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 80.4 : S Broad to Pujara, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! This is incredible batting from the Indian no.3. It's full and outside off. Pujara nicely leans into the shot and crisply drives it through the covers for a boundary. The chasing fielder can do nothing about it. |
| 80.5 : S Broad to Pujara, On the fuller side of things once more, Che blocks it confidently. |
| 80.6 : S Broad to Pujara, Just ahead of a length, close to off, run down towards point. Wants the run but Moeen Ali gets to it quickly, stopping the batsmen from achieving their goal. |
| Sam Curran returns. |
| 81.1 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, Fired well across the batsman, Bumrah doesn't move an inch. Doesn't have to, really. Just watches the ball and lets it go. |
| 81.2 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, Full again, attacking the stumps on this occasion, Bumrah with surety blocks it out by bringing down a straight bat. |
| 81.3 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, Length delivery in the off stump channel, keeps on going away with the angle, Jasprit with an easy leave. |
| 81.4 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 81.5 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, Curran has to make Bumrah play. No point bowling like this. Hurls it outside and the keeper takes it as the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 81.6 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, Does that, but the line is too straight. Bumrah works it down gently on the leg side. |
| 82.1 : S Broad to Pujara, Maintains the tight line as he bowls it on off, Cheteshwar remains rooted in the crease and blocks it back down the track. |
| 82.2 : S Broad to Pujara, Short of a good length in line of the stumps, guarded out from the back foot. |
| 82.3 : S Broad to Pujara, Still on the shorter side, Pujara goes deep inside the crease and blocks. |
| 82.4 : S Broad to Pujara, Nicely done. It's short again but some width is on offer this time. So, Pujara hangs back and cuts it down to third man. No run taken though. |
| 82.5 : S Broad to Pujara, Big swing and an even bigger miss from Pujara. Full and outside off, he looks to clear The Rose Bowl by launching it big downtown. Misses the ball altogether. |
| 82.6 : S Broad to Pujara, And this stand continues. Pujara once again does ever so well to keep the strike with him. Places it behind point and collects a run. The lead is of 25 now. |
| 83.1 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Going away from around off, on a good length, Che has a tame poke at it from inside the line and gets beaten. |
| 83.2 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Partnership moves to 46 with this. Cheteshwar Pujara is batting cleverly here. Just has to find the gap, like he has here, and he's bound to get two. Flicks it through mid-wicket neatly and is back to face Curran. |
| 83.3 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Full toss outside off, sliced behind point. The run was there for the taking, but Pujara refused. |
| 83.4 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Shaping down leg from a length, an attempted flick misses completely. |
| 83.5 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Back of a length seaming in on middle and leg, blocked back down the track safely. |
| 83.6 : Sam Curran to Pujara, Too far down the leg side, Pujara can't connect. Only way it seems they can keep him off strike. |
| 84.1 : S Broad to Bumrah, Back of a length on the fifth stump line, Bumrah without any foot movement, tries getting some wood on leather, but his effort goes in vain. |
| 84.2 : S Broad to Bumrah, On a length, rising off the surface a touch, it is kept out. |
| Seems Anderson's been given the nod to bowl. Could be on soon. He's asking Joe Root from which end he should come on to bowl. |
| 84.3 : S Broad to Bumrah, Rock Solid. Jasprit Bumrah is showing good technique while playing. He gets right behind the line and defends it down the track. |
| 84.4 : S Broad to Bumrah, Around the off stump, Bumrah once again blocks. Two more opportunities for Broad to get rid of Bumrah. |
| 84.5 : S Broad to Bumrah, OUT! And he does it on the first one. This is a good ball. Hits the deck hard and it rises sharply on Bumrah. He has no idea about it, tries to awkwardly defend it but it goes off his gloves and pops up behind to Alastair Cook at first slip, who takes a dolly. Vital partnership of 46 comes to an end, as India are bowled out and LEAD BY 27 RUNS! |
| What a Test match! Just when you think it's over something different seems to put itself on display. India were on the brink of ending up in a position of weakness, but Cheteshwar Pujara's heroics have helped his side not only take the lead, but also be in a decent position, as the day is about to finish. |
| India were motoring along comfortably when Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara were batting, but once their 92-run stand was broken by Sam Curran, dismissing the former, things went rather awry for them. A few wickets fell in quick succession and then Moeen Ali came in to take the tail by storm. Pujara was running out of partners, but those last two stands - the first with Ishat Sharma worth 32, and the second with Jasprit Bumrah consisting of 46 - changed everything. Pujara ended up scoring a wel |
| The hosts would be disappointed they couldn't wrap the Indians up earlier. Kind of like a taste of what the visitors felt when the home side was batting yesterday and Curran somewhat took the game away from them. A handful of overs left in the day, and the Indians will want to scalp a wicket or two before Stumps. The action will begin again quickly, stay tuned! |
| 0.1 : R Ashwin to Cook, Off the mark immediately. Ashwin comes from around the wicket and slides it in on middle and leg, Alastair Cook goes back and wrists it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 0.2 : R Ashwin to Jennings, A bit slower through the air, on a driving length and outside off, Jennings is well forward as he pushes this to short cover. |
| 0.3 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Quicker and shorter outside off, punched off the back foot to the same fielder. |
| 0.4 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Quicker through the air again but it's a touch shorter in length, defended in front of short leg. |
| 0.5 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Darted well outside off, Keaton has nothing to do with it. |
| 0.6 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Positions himself right behind the line as he keeps it out. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : J Bumrah to Cook, Slanting across from a good length, outside off, Cook is watchful as he lets this one go past him. |
| 1.2 : J Bumrah to Cook, Lands it on leg and it moves a long way towards off, Cook is right behind the line to block. |
| 1.3 : J Bumrah to Cook, Serves it on a length on middle and off, moves away again, Alastair Cook shoulders his arms to it. |
| 1.4 : J Bumrah to Cook, It comes back in finally. The line is good but the length needs to be fuller. Cook is a good player and anything even a fraction short won't bother him. He stays inside the crease and pushes it away. |
| 1.5 : J Bumrah to Cook, Well down the leg side, an attempted flick is misses. |
| 1.6 : J Bumrah to Cook, Almost got him there. Fuller in length on middle and leg, it shapes away slightly and squares Cook up. It goes off the leading edge through covers and a single is taken. A scare survived, but another over has ticked by and that's all England will care about. |
| 2.1 : R Ashwin to Cook, Drifting in from around the wicket, full on off, Alastair presses forward and dead-bats it. |
| 2.2 : R Ashwin to Cook, Better. Drags the length back ever so slightly and pitches it around off, turns away as Cook just about pushes it down square on the off side. |
| 2.3 : R Ashwin to Cook, Shortens the length a lot more, too short and Cook goes back to punch it down in front of silly point. |
| 2.4 : R Ashwin to Cook, Skidding off the surface, shorter again, kept out on the leg side. |
| 2.5 : R Ashwin to Cook, Spinning away from around off, left alone. |
| 2.6 : R Ashwin to Cook, Shorter and quicker, around off, blocked off the back foot. |
| 3.1 : J Bumrah to Jennings, FOUR! Falters with the line and pays the price. Bumrah bowls it on the pads, Jennings flicks it fine down the leg side and gets a boundary for doing so. |
| 3.2 : J Bumrah to Jennings, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. |
| 3.3 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Goes for the yorker as he targets the off stick, Jennings opens the face and squeezes it to gully. |
| 3.4 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Oh deary me! What a ripper! Had Jennings got out to that, nobody would have blamed him. Superb from Bumrah. Pitches it on middle and gets it to move away late. That squares Keaton Jennings up and he hangs his bat out to dry. The ball whizzes past the outside edge and thuds into the keeper's gloves. |
| 3.5 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Well left. He looked at that till the last moment. The swing away from the batsman from around off, left alone. |
| 3.6 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Bumrah spears it outside off, the angle is taking it away and Jennings knows this. He raises his bat and lets it go past him. STUMPS ON DAY 2! |
| So, like the first day, we've had exactly 4 overs after a team has been bowled out. Another exciting day of Test cricket comes to a close. The two English openers managed to survive Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin's onslaught and head back to the dressing room unscathed. The day had genius with both bat and ball, with Cheteshwar Pujara's hundred and Moeen Ali's 5-fer standing out amongst everything. |
| There are a lot of rough areas on the track and from the looks of things, the pitch will take some considerable amount of turn come the new day. India will try and wrap up England ASAP. More so than any other reason because the hosts have two spinners, while the tourists have just the one. The morning session on Day 3 will be key in terms of a psychological edge. So join us at 1100 local (1000 GMT) for all the action. Cheers! |
| ... Day 3, First Session ... |
| Hello and welcome, everyone, for what's going to be a gripping Test match. The first two days displayed some entertaining battles throughout and both teams mounted a fight. The bowling has been good in the series so far, but with the addition of good batting performances, things are getting highly exciting. The top order of respective teams were rolled over, but the lower order showed good resistance and exceeded expectations. It was Sam Curran for England first with the bat, followed by Chetesh |
| Such is the beauty of Test match cricket. The game is very much in the balance, don't let the circumstances fool you. It could go either way, depending on how this morning pans out. If the English top order can hold steady, things could sway in their favor. Similarly, if India pick up a few early wickets, well... you get the gist. All poised to be spectacular. Hang in there, play will begin in the blink of an eye. |
| Pitch Report - Sanjay Manjrekar out in the middle reckons the rough areas have a new dimension. Feels that till now, Moeen Ali was more equipped to use them than Ravichandran Ashwin. Adds that even the pacers, like Jasprit Bumrah can utilize this as he hits the deck outside off and makes it come back in, much like Ishant Sharma. States it's a decent batting track, but the bowlers will have something in it for them, both the seamers and spinners. |
| We are ready to get underway. The series hangs in the balance for Virat Kohli and his army, so a good start today becomes all the more important for them. Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings stride out to take their place in the middle, while the Indians spread out across the field. Not totally unexpected, with two left-handers and a dry surface, Ravichandran Ashwin is handed the ball first. Two slips and a short leg in place for him. Let's roll... |
| 4.1 : R Ashwin to Cook, Starts from around the wicket and tosses it up on off, Cook takes a big lunge forward and blocks it out. |
| 4.2 : R Ashwin to Cook, Drags the length back but keeps it in line of the stumps, Cook goes back and works it down on the leg side. |
| 4.3 : R Ashwin to Cook, Looped up and pitched outside off, it's left alone. |
| 4.4 : R Ashwin to Cook, Sliding in on the pads, tucked away with soft hands. |
| 4.5 : R Ashwin to Cook, First run of the day. Cook flicks this just past short mid-wicket and gets to the other end. |
| 4.6 : R Ashwin to Jennings, End of the first over on Day 3. Ashwin floats it up just outside off, Jennings comes well forward, covers the line and lets it past him. |
| Ishant Sharma will run in from the other end. |
| 5.1 : I Sharma to Cook, Short of a good length from around the wicket, Alastair Cook hangs back and keeps it out. |
| 5.2 : I Sharma to Cook, Lands it on a good length, on the fourth stump line, pushed out gently with a straight blade. |
| 5.3 : I Sharma to Cook, Keeps slightly low as Ishant attacks the off stick, the southpaw does well to bring his blade down in time and block. |
| 5.4 : I Sharma to Cook, Back of a length outside off, with an open face it's pushed square to point. Dot ball. |
| 5.5 : I Sharma to Cook, Angles in at first and then straightens up after hitting the deck, the former English Test skipper shapes up for it before defending it down on the off side. |
| 5.6 : I Sharma to Cook, On the shorter side of the length, blocked again. |
| 6.1 : R Ashwin to Jennings, This one comes back in, Ashwin bowls it around off, Jennings goes back and blocks it. |
| 6.2 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Tossed up on middle and off, Jennings gets forward and bunts this. |
| 6.3 : R Ashwin to K Jennings, Loopy ball outside off, Keaton prods forward and plays it onto the ground. |
| 6.4 : R Ashwin to K Jennings, First runs of the morning for Keaton Jennings. Takes a step and drives this floated ball through covers for a brace. |
| 6.5 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Another one given air on that fourth stump channel, KJ is solid in his defense. |
| 6.6 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Good from Ash. Too much spin on this occasion. Spins into Keaton who goes back to block it but gets hit on his back leg. The players appeal but that was going down leg. |
| 7.1 : I Sharma to Cook, Full on middle and leg, flicked away to square leg. |
| 7.2 : I Sharma to Cook, FOUR! First boundary of the morning. Overpitched from Sharma on middle and leg. Cook gets behind the ball and flicks it with force through the gap of mid-wicket. The ball races to the boundary. The umpire signals four runs. |
| 7.3 : I Sharma to Cook, Hint of swing. Sharma bowls this full and outside off, it ball moves away a bit. Cook is happy to shoulder his arms to it. |
| 7.4 : I Sharma to Cook, Length ball in line of the stumps, Cook hops and taps it in front of him. |
| 7.5 : I Sharma to Cook, Full and outside off, Cook leaves it alone. |
| 7.6 : I Sharma to Cook, Back of a length around off, Cook stays back and hits it to the off side. |
| 8.1 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Fires it right up there, met with a straight bat in defense. |
| 8.2 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Quite slow through the air, on a driving length, Jennings watches the ball closely as he allows it through. |
| 8.3 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Overpitched on off, drilled straight to the man at cover. |
| 8.4 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Too far outside off, no shot offered from the batsman. |
| 8.5 : R Ashwin to Jennings, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. |
| 8.6 : R Ashwin to Cook, The leg break from Ashwin, comes a long way in from outside off, Cook covers the line and offers no shot. |
| 9.1 : I Sharma to Jennings, Ishant keeps this full and around off, it comes in first and then shapes away, Jennings plays this off the outer half, square towards point. |
| 9.2 : I Sharma to Jennings, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, arms are shouldered to this one. |
| 9.3 : I Sharma to Jennings, Short of a good length but it's on a tight line, Jennings remains rooted inside the crease and blocks it out. |
| 9.4 : I Sharma to Jennings, Outside off on a good length, he doesn't fiddle with it. Lets it go as Pant collects it. |
| 9.5 : I Sharma to Jennings, Hits the deck hard, a back of a length ball on middle and off which skids off the surface somewhat, worked away from the inner half behind square leg. Brisk single stolen. |
| 9.6 : I Sharma to Cook, Alastair Cooks moves inside the line as he sees the ball coming in on the leg stump line, and whips it down towards fine leg for a single. |
| Jasprit Bumrah comes into the bowling attack. He was the one who dismissed Jennings in the first innings. A repeat on the cards? Three slips in position. |
| 10.1 : J Bumrah to Cook, Back of a length on middle and leg, clipped into the leg side for an easy run. |
| 10.2 : J Bumrah to K Jennings, FOUR! Bumrah switches to around the wicket and instantly gets hammered for a boundary. Length delivery with width outside off, Jennings cuts this through the vacant gully position and finds the fence. |
| 10.3 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Back to over the wicket. It's full on off, Keaton drives it tamely to mid off. Bumrah is going to have to be quite calculative with his plans here. The ball isn't moving as much it did in the first innings, so needs to use the rough areas to his advantage. |
| 10.4 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Beaten! Good bowling. Jennings almost goes fishing but withdraws just in time. Back of a length slanting across, whizzes just past the edge of the bat. |
| 10.5 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Hurled outside the line of off stump, left alone. |
| 10.6 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Too straight in line, Keaton picks it off his hips and works it to short fine leg. |
| 11.1 : I Sharma to Cook, Angling in on off before straightening up a shade, Alastair Cook shapes up to defend and keeps it down on the track beside him on the off side. |
| 11.2 : I Sharma to Cook, Almost. Ishant nearly gets his man. Comes steaming in and spears this full. Angles it in, looking for the late movement away. Doesn't happen as much as he'd like it to and Cook gets it off the leading edge to mid off, after closing the face early to flick. |
| 11.3 : I Sharma to Cook, Too straight from Sharma and too full as well, flicked neatly through the vacant spaces in the mid-wicket area for a double. |
| 11.4 : I Sharma to Cook, On the sixth stump line, no way Alastair will play at it. |
| 11.5 : I Sharma to Cook, Goes square of the wicket. It's shorter in length, there's some room on offer for Cook. He camps back and pushes it through point to get over to the other end. |
| 11.6 : I Sharma to Jennings, That late leave could have nearly cost him. Sharma brings it in closer to the off stump on a length, Jennings raises his bat late to let it pass. It could have gone off the bottom half/under edge for a catch behind. A bit lazy, that. |
| 12.1 : J Bumrah to A Cook, OUT! Bumrah strikes! It's Alastair Cook he gets this time. A full delivery going across, perfect length for Cook as he's drawn into the cover drive. He plays away from his body and a thick edge results. It flies to KL Rahul at second slip, who can't take it on the first go. Juggles a couple of time but eventually holds on to it. India have their first breakthrough. England trail by 3 runs. |
| 0.0 : Moeen Ali walks in at no.3. His natural position in county cricket. Can he make a difference with this promotion in a familiar position? |
| 12.2 : J Bumrah to Ali, Oh how close! That was a jaffa. How has that missed? Moeen Ali would have been waiting for the noise. Bumrah has his arms up in the air and he's shocked. Everyone is. Dear me. An excellent delivery on a length, just around off and it nips back in ever so slightly. Goes just past the inside edge as Ali looks to block and thuds into the keeper's gloves. |
| 12.3 : J Bumrah to Ali, FOUR! Streaky runs but they are runs. ENGLAND TAKE THE LEAD BY 1 RUN. Back of a length outside off, Ali is in two minds about what to do with this. Ends up trying to leaving it late and gets it off the edge. It falls short and gets through the slip cordon for a boundary. |
| 12.4 : J Bumrah to Ali, Absolute beauty from Bumrah. Has been a superb over so far. Could argue that he might need to just go that tad fuller like he did to Cook, but it's been great nonetheless. Just behind a length around off, going across, Moeen Ali tries to play at it but misses. |
| 12.5 : J Bumrah to Ali, Stays right behind the line and defends it out. |
| 12.6 : J Bumrah to Ali, Length delivery which rises off the deck, another defensive shot offered in response. |
| 13.1 : I Sharma to Jennings, In the corridor of uncertainty from around the wicket, Jennings has nothing to do with it. |
| 13.2 : I Sharma to Jennings, Banged in short, left alone. |
| 13.3 : I Sharma to Jennings, Outside the line of off stump, Keaton does not flirt with it. |
| 13.4 : I Sharma to Jennings, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| Ishant Sharma has been given an official warning for stepping in the middle of the pitch. Going to have to be careful now. |
| 13.5 : I Sharma to Jennings, Similar line, similar length. Same shot, same result. |
| 13.6 : I Sharma to Jennings, Better from Ishant. Going to have to make him play, but that's much better. Length delivery around off, shapes away as it's left alone. |
| 14.1 : J Bumrah to Ali, Bumrah keeps pushing it across Moeen. There are three slips in place and a widish backward point along with them. Moeen comes forward to drive the full ball and gets it off the outer half to Pandya in the latter position. |
| 14.2 : J Bumrah to Ali, Going across again, on a good length, no shot offered on that. |
| 14.3 : J Bumrah to M Ali, FOUR! Length delivery, on off, Ali brings his bat down to play but the ball takes the outer portion and flies through the vacant gully region for a boundary. Kohli doesn't like that one bit, expect him to plug that area up soon. |
| 14.4 : J Bumrah to Ali, Banged in short, kept out off the back foot. |
| 14.5 : J Bumrah to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 14.6 : J Bumrah to Ali, Short of a good length on middle and leg, worked behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 15.1 : I Sharma to Ali, Banged in short, ducked and evaded. |
| 15.2 : I Sharma to Ali, Cutting in on middle and leg, catches the all-rounder on the thigh pad as he tries to play bat on ball. |
| 15.3 : I Sharma to Ali, Just ahead of a length, outside off and shaping away, Ali is forced into the drive and he misses it completely. |
| Moeen Ali has been caught behind in the slips. Though, the umpire isn't sure if the catch is taken cleanly or not by KL Rahul. It's taken upstairs and the soft signal is out. |
| 15.4 : I Sharma to Ali, OUT! Got 'em! The catch is clean according to the TV umpire and Moeen Ali is out of here. The move to send him up the order hasn't worked out. Lovely delivery from Ishant Sharma. Uses that round the wicket angle so well. Angles it in at first and then makes it go away. Moeen Ali has no choice but to put bat on ball as it's dangerously close to the off stump. The edge is drawn and it goes behind towards Rahul at second slip. He dives low to his right, takes it and celebrate |
| Joe Root, the captain, makes his way out in the middle. |
| 15.5 : I Sharma to Root, Good length delivery on off stump, Root hangs inside the crease and lets it be. |
| 15.6 : I Sharma to Root, Moves inside the line and works it away on the leg side. End of a good, testing and successful over from Sharma. |
| 16.1 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Slanting away from a good length, outside off, the line is covered and then left alone. |
| 16.2 : J Bumrah to Jennings, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 16.3 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Shortish delivery angling across, Jennings shifts his weight onto the back foot and punches it square through the off side for a single. |
| 16.4 : J Bumrah to Root, Well outside off, left alone. |
| 16.5 : J Bumrah to Root, Short and wide outside off, Root stays back and pushes it to backward point. Can't get it past the fielder there. |
| 16.6 : J Bumrah to Root, On the fourth stump line, a good length delivery and Root leaves it alone. |
| 17.1 : I Sharma to Jennings, Sharma keeps steaming in and bowls it on a back of a length on off, Jennings leans across to get behind the line and blocks. |
| 17.2 : I Sharma to K Jennings, Bangs it in short into the body, Jennings swivels and helps the pull down to fine leg for one. |
| 17.3 : I Sharma to Root, Joe camps back and punches the short ball through the covers. One run to the total. |
| 17.4 : I Sharma to Jennings, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 17.5 : I Sharma to Jennings, Outside off on a good length, left alone. |
| Second warning for Ishant. He steps in the danger zone once again. Strike three and he's out. So, being cautious, he switches to over the wicket. |
| 17.6 : I Sharma to Jennings, Slanting across on a length outside off, Keaton makes an easy leave. |
| Drinks are on the field. A good first hour for India. They've managed to nab a couple of wickets in the form of Cook and Ali with Bumrah and Ishant getting a wicket apiece. The ball isn't moving much, but it's doing just enough. Root and Jennings have to see the session out. A good phase awaits in the next hour for us. |
| 18.1 : R Ashwin to Root, Tossed up in line of the stumps, Root taps it in front of him. |
| 18.2 : R Ashwin to Root, Nicely done. Ashwin gives this air on middle and leg. Root flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 18.3 : R Ashwin to Root, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 18.4 : R Ashwin to Root, That's the ruff the spinners will look for. Ashwin lands it on that ruff close to the right-hander. Root goes back and gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 18.5 : R Ashwin to Root, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 18.6 : R Ashwin to Joe Root, Loopy ball outside off, Root looks to slog this but gets it off the bottom edge onto his pads. |
| Change of ends for Ishant Sharma. |
| 19.1 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Length outside off, well blocked. |
| 19.2 : J Bumrah to Jennings, back of a length ball on leg, Jennings looks to tuck it away but gets hit on his thigh pad. |
| 19.3 : J Bumrah to Jennings, FOUR! Missed his line and pays the price for it. Bumrah serves this on the pads, Jennings just helps it on it's way towards the fine leg region for a boundary. |
| 19.4 : J Bumrah to Jennings, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 19.5 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Length outside off, Jennings plays it with a straight bat. |
| 19.6 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Full and outside off, Jennings shoulders his arms to it. |
| 20.1 : R Ashwin to Root, Full and outside off, pushed behind point after reaching out for it. The fielder chases it down and two runs are taken. |
| 20.2 : R Ashwin to Root, Quick, flat and outside off, slaps the punch to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 20.3 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Gives this some air around off, a front foot block from the batsman. |
| 20.4 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Stays back and keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 20.5 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 20.6 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Darts this quicker and full on off, blocked after coming on the front foot. |
| 21.1 : J Bumrah to Root, Back of a length ball outside off, Root rocks back and cuts it through point. Will get two runs for it. |
| 0.0 : Review time! Root is the man in the picture. Nobody looks really confident. |
| 21.2 : Bumrah to Root, NOT OUT! Poor review from India. Back of a length ball outside off, Root goes back and tries to block it. Misses it and gets hit on his pads. India appeal but the umpire is not interested. Kohli has a chat with the bowler and takes it up. Replays show that the ball is missing the top of the stump. India lose a review. |
| 21.3 : J Bumrah to Root, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 21.4 : J Bumrah to Root, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 21.5 : J Bumrah to Root, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 21.6 : J Bumrah to Root, FOUR! Sweet! Pitched up ball on off, Root leans ahead and drives it neatly through covers for a boundary. |
| 22.1 : R Ashwin to Jennings, KJ has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 22.2 : R Ashwin to Jennings, FOUR! Great improvisation. Premeditates and gets a boundary off it. Ashwin darts this on leg, Jennings reverse sweeps this through third man for a boundary. |
| 22.3 : R Ashwin to Jennings, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Jennings. He is looking in a different form today. Gets low and sweeps this ball through square leg for another boundary. |
| 22.4 : R Ashwin to Jennings, In the air..but well ahead. Jennings brings out the swipe again. Gets s top edge which flies over short fine leg. The fielder there hares to the ball and keeps it to two. |
| 22.5 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 22.6 : R Ashwin to Jennings, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 23.1 : J Bumrah to Root, Four Byes! Nothing Pant can do about it. Short and down the leg side from Bumrah. Root ducks under it, the ball moves away from the batsman. Pant moves to his left but cannot get any glove to it. The ball runs to the fine leg boundary. |
| 23.2 : J Bumrah to Root, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 23.3 : J Bumrah to Root, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 23.4 : J Bumrah to Joe Root, Driven through mid on by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 23.5 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Keaton defends it from within the crease. |
| 23.6 : J Bumrah to Jennings, Jennings shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 24.1 : R Ashwin to Root, Darted around off, Root blocks it out. |
| 24.2 : R Ashwin to Root, Off spinner around off, Root flicks it away. |
| 24.3 : R Ashwin to Root, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 24.4 : R Ashwin to Root, Floated ball on off, Root rocks back and bunts this down. |
| 24.5 : R Ashwin to Root, FOUR! Great shot! Loopy ball around off, Root gets on one knee, brings out the broom and sweeps this through square leg all the way to the fence. |
| 24.6 : R Ashwin to Root, The batsman tried to sweep that one but missed it and was hit on the pads. |
| Mohammed Shami is called into the attack. |
| 25.1 : M Shami to Jennings, Starts off with a length ball on the pads of Keaton who tucked it away to the on side. |
| 25.2 : M Shami to Jennings, Full and outside off, easy leave for Jennings. |
| 25.3 : M Shami to Jennings, Length ball on off, Jennings punches the ball through point for a single. |
| 25.4 : M Shami to Root, Lose shot from Root. Shami hurls this on a good length outside off. The ball moves away a bit. Root looks to cut this away but cannot get bat to ball. |
| 25.5 : M Shami to Root, Full in line of the stumps, Root bunts it down. |
| 25.6 : M Shami to Root, Another length ball around off, Root stays inside and blocks it. |
| 26.1 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Full and around off, Jennings plays that off his front foot. |
| 26.2 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Beauty! Nice flight and turn on that one. Jennings looks to block this but is beaten by the turn. |
| 26.3 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Hangs back and punches this ball to the off side. |
| 26.4 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Loopy ball around off, Jennings hits it towards the bowler with ease. |
| 26.5 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Fullish ball on off, Jennings looks solid in defense. Jennings is lucky the rough is not close to the left-hander. |
| 26.6 : R Ashwin to Jennings, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 27.1 : Shami to Root, Good ball. Nips back in which causes Root the trouble. Shami hurls it on a good length around off, the ball comes back it and takes Root by surprise. Hits him outside off on his pads. |
| 27.2 : M Shami to Root, Fuller this time on off, Root sees it off. |
| 27.3 : M Shami to Root, Short and wide outside off, Root cuts it hard but finds the man at backward point. |
| 27.4 : M Shami to Root, Length ball in line of the stumps, Root plays it with a straight bat. |
| 27.5 : M Shami to Root, FOUR! Gets it in the gap this time. Good length ball outside off, Root waits for it and cuts it late through the gully area for a boundary. |
| 27.6 : M Shami to Root, Joe has played it to the point region. |
| 28.1 : R Ashwin to Jennings, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total. |
| 28.2 : R Ashwin to Root, Outside off, Root reads the spin and leaves it alone. |
| 28.3 : R Ashwin to Root, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 28.4 : Ashwin to Root, Leg bye! Long and loud appeal for LBW but nothing from the umpire. Perhaps going down the leg side. Pitches it on the rough, the ball soins into Root. He misses his flick and gets hit on his pads. Ashwin and Co. appeal but the umpire stays put. India think of the review but decide against it. Good decision from Kohli through as the replay shows us that it would have gone down leg. |
| 28.5 : R Ashwin to Jennings, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 28.6 : R Ashwin to Jennings, KJ defends it from within the crease. |
| 29.1 : M Shami to Root, FOUR! Class! Overpitched ball in line of the stumps, Root drives it along the turf straight back the bowler for a boundary. |
| 29.2 : M Shami to Root, Another appeal, another one given against India. Shami hurls this around off, the ball comes back in sharply. Root is caught off balance and gets hit on his back pad. India appeal to no avail. They think of the review but opt not to take it. Another good call, as the replay show us that would have gone over the stumps. |
| 29.3 : M Shami to Root, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 29.4 : M Shami to Jennings, Punched off the back foot by Keaton. They pick up a single. |
| 29.5 : M Shami to Root, Outside off, left alone. |
| 29.6 : M Shami to Root, No run.Full again in line off the stumps, Root taps it in front of him. |
| 30.1 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Jennings works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 30.2 : R Ashwin to Root, Short ball on off, Root defends it off his back foot. |
| 30.3 : R Ashwin to Root, Cut away and cut away nicely. Waits for it and cuts it late through the backward point region. The ball does not go all the way but they come back for the third. |
| 30.4 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Pitched outside leg, Jennings blocks it with his pads. |
| 30.5 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Full and around off, Jennings prods forward and blocks it. |
| 30.6 : R Ashwin to Jennings, Outside leg again, Jennings defends it with his pads. |
| 31.1 : M Shami to Root, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 31.2 : M Shami to Jennings, Full and on off, Jennings defends it from inside the crease. |
| 31.3 : M Shami to Jennings, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 31.4 : M Shami to Jennings, FOUR! No third man and Keaton gets another boundary to his name. This will boost his confidence. Full and outside off, Jennings cuts it towards the third man region for a boundary. |
| LBW review. Looks out! Jennings has reviewed but it's going to go in vain. He looks like a dead duck. |
| 31.5 : M Shami to Jennings, OUT! Plumb! There were no two thoughts about it. I don't know what was the review about. Shami comes in from round the wicket and hurls this full and around off. The ball comes back in and hits Jennings on the back leg who is beaten through his defense. Shami appeals while celebrating and the umpire raises his finger. Keaton after a long chat with his partner takes it up. Replays show us three reds and Keaton can have his lunch in his own time. |
| It was England's session till the last ball but Jennings' wicket will have changed the equation. Not tilted the favor but maintained the balance. England started off well with Cook and Jennings. The openers didn't get the runs but were wise in their approach. Cook fell later and Moeen's promotion up the order didn't work, courtesy a great catch from KL Rahul. Root and Jennings stitched a good 59-run stand but a beauty from Shami meant India can digest their lunch better. |
| India started off with spin straightaway. The rough was aiding Ashwin but didn't get wickets to show for it. The pacers couldn't do much as the ball was not moving like it did in the first innings but they shared the wickets among themselves. The visitors will be happy with the last wicket and now they will look to get few more quick ones. England should not worry too much as they bat deep and already have a 65-run lead. If they get anywhere close to the 200-mark, that should put them in the fro |
| ... Day 3, Second Session ... |
| We are back for our post-Lunch session. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root walk to the middle. The players take the field. Virat Kohli continues chirping some words to the players. Mohammed Shami will finish his over. |
| 31.6 : Shami to J Bairstow, OUT! What a cracker! Absolute beauty! Mohammed Shami has got two in two and castled Jonny Bairstow. What has he had for lunch? Feed him some more. Comes in from over the wicket and hurls it on a fuller length on middle and leg. Bairstow looks to play at it with a straight bat but is beaten all ends up. The ball goes between bat and pad and uproots the leg stump. Not the ball you want first up if you're a batsman. Shami will be on a hat-trick in his next over. |
| Jos Buttler is the new man in. Also, Jasprit Bumrah will bowl from the other end. |
| 32.1 : J Bumrah to Root, Long appeal but the height has saved him. Comes in from over the wicket and lands this on a good length around off. Root comes across and looks to bunt this down. The ball moves in and hits him on his thigh pad. They appeal but the umpire stays put. India think of the review but opt against it. Good call again as replay show us that the ball would have just clipped the bails. |
| 32.2 : J Bumrah to Root, On a good length shaping away, Root plays for it and gets beaten. |
| 32.3 : J Bumrah to Root, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 32.4 : J Bumrah to Root, Joe has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single. |
| 32.5 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Outside off, Stokes is not enticed to play at it. |
| 32.6 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Outside off, Stokes is happy to leave it alone. |
| 33.1 : M Shami to Joe Root, FOUR! No hat-trick for Shami. Back of a length outside off, Root stands tall and punches this off the outer half through gully. The fielder chases it down but can't stop it, even with a dive. |
| 33.2 : M Shami to Root, Waits for the length ball to come to him and runs it down to third man for a single. |
| 33.3 : M Shami to Stokes, Shaping back in on middle and leg, from around the wicket, Stokes gets behind the line and pushes it to mid-wicket. |
| 33.4 : M Shami to Stokes, Angling down leg, too wide for Stokes to make any contact. |
| 33.5 : Shami to Stokes, A mild appeal for lbw, turned down. Height clearly the issue. Just behind a length, angling back in, Stokes looks to work it on the leg side but is caught high on the thigh pad. |
| 33.6 : M Shami to Stokes, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 34.1 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Shortish delivery into the body, Stokes fends it away awkwardly off the glove down on the leg side. |
| 34.2 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Good length delivery just outside off, holding its line, pushed back down the track off the back foot. |
| 34.3 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Bumrah hits the deck hard and serves it on a back of a length. It comes to Stokes at a good pace. He stands inside the crease and blocks it out. |
| Ben Stokes is having a change of bats. |
| 34.4 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Back of a length around off, kept out off the back foot. |
| 34.5 : J Bumrah to Stokes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 34.6 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Remains in the crease and blocks it out with a straight blade. |
| 35.1 : M Shami to Root, FOUR! This is a good shot. Anything on the pads and Root will put it away. Picks up the length ball with ease and places it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 35.2 : M Shami to Root, Just outside off, rising from a good length, Root gets on top of the ball and defends it down on the off side. |
| 35.3 : M Shami to Root, Fuller in length just outside off, driven crisply through covers for a couple. |
| 35.4 : M Shami to Root, Wide outside off, Joe covers the line, gets his bat out of the way and leaves it alone. |
| 35.5 : M Shami to Root, Angling in on middle and leg and then starts to seam away, Root stays behind the line and works it down on the leg side. |
| 35.6 : M Shami to Root, Good ball. Length delivery on off, it's defended back down the track to the bowler. |
| 36.1 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Well bowled! This one takes off after landing on a good length around off. Stokes is taken aback but does well to keep it out down the track. |
| 36.2 : J Bumrah to Stokes, A pacy length ball outside off, holding its line. Ben plants his front foot across and allows it through. |
| 36.3 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Serves this one a bit wider and fuller outside off, Stokes is not drawn into an ambitious stroke. |
| 36.4 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Ben Stokes walks down the track to unsettle Bumrah but the pacer is cool as a cucumber. He attacks the stumps with a length ball and goes past the defense of the southpaw to rap him on the thigh pad. |
| 36.5 : J Bumrah to Stokes, On the fifth stump channel, left alone. |
| 36.6 : J Bumrah to Stokes, This is probing stuff from Bumrah! He lands this one in the corridor of uncertainty and surprises Ben. He is in two minds whether to come forward or to stay back. Is caught in a tangle and somehow fends it off from the bottom half of the bat. |
| 37.1 : M Shami to Root, Back of a length outside off, tapped down in front of cover. |
| 37.2 : M Shami to Root, Superb! Mohammed Shami looks boosted with those two wickets either side of the break. Lands a length delivery just outside off and there's a hint of away movement. Root is seduced to feel for it and almost edges it behind. So close. |
| 37.3 : M Shami to Root, On the shorter side of the length, another defensive shot on offer. |
| 37.4 : M Shami to Root, Flicks it away with a wristy shot on the leg side. A single is taken. |
| 37.5 : M Shami to Stokes, Good length delivery on the fifth stump channel, left alone. |
| 37.6 : M Shami to Stokes, Just outside off, slanting away, Stokes taps it down in front of point but won't get any run for it. |
| 38.1 : J Bumrah to Root, Full and fired in on middle, angling in, Root flicks it right off the middle straight to the man at short mid-wicket. |
| 38.2 : J Bumrah to Root, Speared in full again, on off this time, Joe flicks it towards short mid-wicket again. |
| 38.3 : J Bumrah to Root, Length ball on the stumps, Root meets it with a defensive bat in response. |
| 38.4 : J Bumrah to Root, Nicely done. Short of a length, tapped square through point for one. |
| 38.5 : J Bumrah to Stokes, India are appealing for a catch but the umpire remains unmoved. Back of a length around off, Stokes has a feel for it and as soon as Pant catches it, Rahane goes up in a loud appeal. He's sure Ben has nicked it. Kohli joins in, they ponder but don't review it as such. Though, replays show there might have been a feather on it. But Snicko later clears it up as it shows no spike. |
| 38.6 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Just ahead of a length around off, blocked off the front foot. |
| Ishant Sharma comes on. |
| 39.1 : I Sharma to Root, Full in length and attacking the off stump, blocked. |
| 39.2 : I Sharma to Root, Too far from the off stick, Joe doesn't bother with it. |
| 39.3 : I Sharma to Root, Just around off, on the same length, pushed defensively in front of covers. |
| 39.4 : I Sharma to Root, The ball is down the leg side but the batsman still goes after it. |
| 39.5 : I Sharma to Root, Too straight on the pads and Root puts this away easily. Flicks it down to fine leg and takes one. |
| 39.6 : I Sharma to Stokes, Angling across from a fullish length, Stokes makes a watchful leave. |
| Back with spin now as Ravichandran Ashwin returns to the attack. A slip, a leg gully and a short leg in place for him. |
| 40.1 : R Ashwin to Root, Spinning in from off, Root plays it down in front of short leg. |
| 40.2 : R Ashwin to Root, The straighter one from Ashwin and Root is beaten. The English skipper plays for the turn when there is none and the ball as a result goes past the outside edge. |
| 40.3 : R Ashwin to Root, Plays with the spin and turns it away square on the leg side for a single. |
| 40.4 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Sliding in on a shorter length from around the wicket, Stokes works it through mid-wicket for three good runs. |
| 40.5 : R Ashwin to Root, Quicker through the air, on the stumps, defended right under his nose. |
| 40.6 : R Ashwin to Root, Some room on offer outside off, Joe plays this late and dabs it past the keeper. Short third man chases it down as the batsmen take two. |
| 41.1 : I Sharma to Stokes, Hurls this across Stokes, on a bit of a fuller length, the all-rounder lets it be for Pant to collect. |
| 41.2 : I Sharma to Stokes, Takes a step out of the crease as it's landed shorter, it's going across and Ben lets it go. |
| 41.3 : I Sharma to Stokes, Too far outside off, full in length, arms are shouldered to that one. |
| 41.4 : I Sharma to Stokes, Deft from Stokes. Nicely done. Sees the movement away, waits for the ball to come and plays it at the last second. Opens the face and runs it down towards third man. A brace is collected. |
| 41.5 : I Sharma to Stokes, Steps out of the crease and wrists the length ball in front of square leg for a run. |
| 41.6 : I Sharma to Root, Ooohh! Root was expecting that one to come in but ever so rarely, Ishant Sharma makes it go the other way. This was one such occasion and Root almost got undone because of it. Left his bat hanging and nearly edged it behind. Good end to the over from the pacer. |
| 42.1 : R Ashwin to Stokes, A little too full from Ashwin, darts it in quicker too, Stokes easily deals with it. Needs to give it a lot more flight, Ashwin. Has to give himself a chance. |
| 42.2 : R Ashwin to Stokes, On the leg stump line, it's turned down towards short fine leg for nothing. |
| 42.3 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 42.4 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Loopy and slow on middle and leg, Stokes gets his front leg out of the way and defends getting close to the pitch. |
| 42.5 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Comes forward and blocks again. |
| 42.6 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Stokes has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 43.1 : I Sharma to Root, Fullish from Ishant, blocked in front of the cover region. |
| 43.2 : I Sharma to Root, Length delivery in the off stump channel, pitches and goes away late, Root goes for the drive and is beaten all ends up. |
| 43.3 : I Sharma to Root, Fires it down the leg side, an attempted flick shot from the captain misses. |
| 43.4 : I Sharma to Root, Full delivery just outside off, Joe Root goes across and flicks it straight to short mid-wicket. |
| 43.5 : I Sharma to Root, Short of a good length around that off pole, the batsman jumps and keeps it down safely. |
| 43.6 : I Sharma to Root, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| Drinks break. India started off in flying form with Mohammed Shami dismissing the dangerous Jonny Bairstow on the first ball itself. Post that, skipper Joe Root and Ben Stokes have shored things up a bit and need to continue on. The pacers are doing the best they can, but Ravichandran Ashwin needs to do more. He's trying too much, so just has to keep it simple, as he's crucial to India's chances in this game. |
| 44.1 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Tossed up fullish ball around off, kept out watchfully. |
| 44.2 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Lands this one just a touch outside off, Ben puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 44.3 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Gives this one more revs and bowls it flatter outside off, Stokes knows where his off stump is and makes an assured leave. |
| 44.4 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Good one from Ash! Slips in the carrom ball around off and gets it to spin in nicely. Ben reads it off the pitch and defends it late. |
| 44.5 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 44.6 : R Ashwin to Root, Quicker and shorter outside off, Root tries to glide it to third man but first slip intercepts. |
| 45.1 : I Sharma to Stokes, On a length around off, Ben hangs back and taps it nicely towards mid off. |
| 45.2 : I Sharma to Stokes, A huge, huge appeal for an LBW has been turned down! But what a nut from Ishant Sharma, he outfoxed the batsman there. He bowls a full and fast inswinger around leg stump. Stokes loses his balance as his bats comes down at an angle and he is rapped on the pads. Ishant is pleading but the umpire doesn't give a positive response. Kohli from the slip cordon looks at his bowler, thinks about the DRS but doesn't go for it. Wise call as the replays rolls in later and shows th |
| 45.3 : I Sharma to Stokes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 45.4 : I Sharma to Stokes, FOUR! Beautiful stroke! Fractionally overpitched, Stokes comes forward and strokes it with a straight bat down the ground for a boundary. |
| 45.5 : I Sharma to Stokes, Shaping away from the southpaw, Ben doesn't fiddle with it. |
| What a terrific piece of fielding from Shami as he scored a direct hit at the striker's end! Root was not expecting that and he may find himself in trouble. Looks like a goner. |
| 45.6 : I Sharma to Root, OUT! This can well turn out to be the defining moment of the game! Shami has caught the English skipper napping. The Indians are absolutely elated and why not! |
| Jos Buttler is the new man in. |
| 46.1 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Tossed up on middle and leg, Stokes prods forward and blocks it out. |
| 46.2 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Pitched outside leg, Stokes gets his pads out to see it off. |
| 46.3 : R Ashwin to Stokes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 46.4 : R Ashwin to Ben Stokes, Short ball down leg again, comes in sharply and goes away from Stokes. He pokes his bat out and gets a leading edge towards slip. |
| 46.5 : R Ashwin to Stokes, On middle and leg, Stokes flicks it away to the on side. |
| 46.6 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Maiden over. Off spinner on of, Stokes shoulders his arms to it. |
| 47.1 : I Sharma to Buttler, Good stuff from Sharma! He bowls this one one the fifth stump channel and gets it to move away a wee bit. Buttler pokes at it and almost edges it behind. |
| 47.2 : I Sharma to Buttler, Another play and a miss! In the corridor of uncertainty, Buttler fishes at it again and gets foxed. |
| 47.3 : I Sharma to Buttler, Pitched up ball, Jos comes ahead and blocks it right under his eyes. |
| 47.4 : I Sharma to Buttler, FOUR! Did that carry? probably not. The Indians have their tail up and are firing on all cylinders. Back of a length ball in the tight off stump channel, straightens a bit to square Buttler up. He has to play at it and gets an outside edge behind. Kohli at second slip gets low to his left but the ball drops in front of him and goes past to reach the fence. |
| 47.5 : I Sharma to Buttler, Easy pickings! Sharma tries to catch Buttler off guard by bowling it full but ends up overpitching it down the leg side. Buttler clips it nicely through mid-wicket. Dhawan cuts it off and saves a run for his side. England's lead has crossed 100 now. |
| 47.6 : I Sharma to Stokes, Full ball outside off, left alone. |
| 48.1 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Slower through the air outside off, Buttler eases it through covers to rotate strike. |
| 48.2 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Quicker from Ashwin, Stokes gets behind the line to keep it out. |
| 48.3 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Stokes needs to be careful! Ashwin targets the rough patch outside the leg stump. It pitches there and spits away. Ben is able to pad it off. |
| 48.4 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 48.5 : R Ashwin to Stokes, That one didn't land on the rough area but it still spun away viciously. On middle and leg, Ben comes forward to block but the ball whizzes past his outside edge. |
| 48.6 : R Ashwin to Stokes, The leg spinner from the wily spinner. It is quicker in pace too as Stokes gets his bat down to keep it at bay. |
| Mohammed Shami is back on. |
| 49.1 : M Shami to Buttler, Pitched up ball around off, driven crisply towards mid off. |
| 49.2 : M Shami to Buttler, Close shave! On a length around off, hits the deck hard and then seams away a touch. Buttler flirts with danger and almost falls prey to it. |
| 49.3 : M Shami to Buttler, FOUR! Bread and butter stuff for Buttler! Anything on his pads and he will put it away. Full on middle and leg, Jos flicks it nonchalantly through mid-wicket to find the fence. |
| 49.4 : M Shami to Buttler, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball but fails. |
| 49.5 : M Shami to Buttler, Full length ball, swinging in, kept out defensively to the leg side. |
| 49.6 : M Shami to Buttler, Makes use of the depth of the crease to the length ball and stonewalls it. |
| 50.1 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Bowls another one on the rough area and gets it to spin in a touch. Stokes tries to flick it away but gets struck on the thigh pad. |
| 50.2 : R Ashwin to Stokes, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 50.3 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Very full on middle and leg, patted to the leg side. |
| 50.4 : R Ashwin to Buttler, That was a very, very risky shot! With the rough area being present, Buttler has to be careful. Tossed up outside off, Jos goes for the drive but mistimes it, almost on the full to Ashwin. Lucky that it landed short. |
| 50.5 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Straying on the pads, turned around the corner for a run. |
| 50.6 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Stokes comes ahead to the loopy ball and dead-bats it. |
| 51.1 : M Shami to Buttler, On a length, angling in from outside off, Buttler camps back and blocks it with authority. |
| 51.2 : M Shami to Buttler, Shami hits a good length but the line is well outside off as Jos leaves it alone. |
| 51.3 : M Shami to Buttler, Shami has gone past the outside edge of the wicket-keeper batsman once again. He steams in and bowls it in the avenue of apprehension. Buttler without much feet goes for a booming drive but misses. That was so close to the edge. Shami has his hands on his head. |
| 51.4 : M Shami to Buttler, On a length, too straight this time, clipped away with ease through backward square leg for a single. |
| 51.5 : M Shami to Stokes, Shami switches his angle to around the wicket and bowls it on the hips, Stokes moves inside the line and turns it through backward square leg. A single taken. |
| 51.6 : M Shami to Buttler, Back of a length ball around off, Buttler gets it off the outer half through cover-point. Some aggressive running between the wickets allows the batsmen to come back for the second. |
| 52.1 : R Ashwin to Stokes, The leg spinner from around the wicket from Ashwin. Spinning in nicely. Stokes punches it through extra cover to rotate strike. |
| 52.2 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Buttler allows the ball to come to him and plays this one against the spin through point for a run. |
| 52.3 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Floated around off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 52.4 : R Ashwin to Stokes, On a flatter trajectory and going straight on, Stokes defends it besides the pitch on the leg side. Ashwin is bowling pretty quick for anyone's liking. Needs to slow it down to extract more out of the pitch. |
| 52.5 : R Ashwin to Stokes, On a shorter length, ample time for Ben to go back and work it through square leg to pick up a brace. |
| 52.6 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Lands this one on the rough patch and gets it to spin in sharply. Ben comes ahead to deal with it but the turn and extra bounce deceives him to hit him on the thigh pad. |
| 53.1 : M Shami to Buttler, Short of a length outside off, Buttler initially shapes for the pull but adjusts at the last moment to push it towards mid on. |
| 53.2 : M Shami to Buttler, Shami is consistently troubling Buttler! There is some reverse swing which is working in his favour. Pitches on a length around off and comes in appreciably. Buttler tries to block it but gets beaten. |
| 53.3 : M Shami to Buttler, This time Jos doesn't go fishing at this one. Lets the length ball outside off to hold its own course. |
| 53.4 : M Shami to Buttler, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| There is some movement near the sightscreen. A guy was coming in the sight of Buttler and he has been asked to move away. |
| 53.5 : M Shami to Buttler, Fractionally overpitched on leg stump, tucked around the corner to rotate strike. |
| 53.6 : M Shami to Stokes, Very full ball outside off, squeezed off the outer half through point for a run and Stokes will retain strike. |
| 54.1 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Quick again on middle and leg, kept out off the back foot. |
| 54.2 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Straighter one from Ashwin, Ben covers the line and presents a water-tight defense. |
| 54.3 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Fuller in length outside off, eased off the front foot towards covers. |
| 54.4 : R Ashwin to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 54.5 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Nicely played by Ben! He kneels across to the tossed up ball and paddle sweeps it to fine leg for a brace. |
| 54.6 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Ooh! That one stayed a touch low and almost took the off stump off. Lands around off and then spins away a touch. Stokes instead of coming forward tries to cut it away but he misses. Ashwin has a wry smile on his face. That was very close. |
| 55.1 : M Shami to Buttler, Well outside off, left alone. |
| 55.2 : M Shami to Buttler, Some reverse swing visible again as Buttler drives it off the inner half of the bat towards mid on and scurries across to the other end. |
| 55.3 : M Shami to Stokes, Full ball, straighter in line, tucked with a closed bat face towards mid-wicket. |
| 55.4 : M Shami to Stokes, Full length ball attacking the stumps, Ben Stokes comes forward and blocks it with authority. |
| 55.5 : M Shami to Stokes, Aggression from Shami! Pitched up ball on off, driven straight back to him. He collects it and throws it as the batsman has to take evasive action. He apologizes immediately and Ben has a smile on his face too. No love lost between the two. |
| 55.6 : M Shami to Stokes, Shami attacks the stumps again by bowling it full, kept out confidently. |
| 56.1 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Low full toss, Buttler mistimes his heave towards short mid-wicket. |
| 56.2 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Full delivery, whipped to the mid-wicket region again. |
| 56.3 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Short delivery, spinning in. Jos goes for the cut but misses. That was not far from the off pole. |
| 56.4 : R Ashwin to Jos Buttler, Better from Ashwin! Gives this one more flight and gets it to beat the forward defense of Buttler to brush his pads and then dies down. |
| 56.5 : R Ashwin to Buttler, 150 up for England! Buttler allows the ball to spin in and tucks it to deep mid-wicket for an easy run. |
| 56.6 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Full on off, kept out nicely. |
| Bumrah comes back to bowl the last over before Tea. |
| 57.1 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Length ball outside off, Jos doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 57.2 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Back of a length around off stump, dealt nicely from within the crease. |
| 57.3 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Too full and straight, Buttler flicks it past the catching short mid-wicket fielder. There is some work for Pujara in the deep and he does well to keep it down to a couple. |
| 57.4 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Wide outside off, ignored by Buttler. |
| 57.5 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Bumrah goes wider of the crease and angles in a back of a length ball. Jos punches it off the back foot to the cover region. |
| 57.6 : J Bumrah to Buttler, On a driveable length outside off, Buttler resists the temptation to allow it through. THAT'S TEA ON DAY 3! |
| Session Highlights - 26.1 overs, 60 runs, 2 wickets. It was a horrible beginning for England as Jonny Bairstow was found wanting on the very first ball from Mohammed Shami. India were charged up after that and bowled with good intensity. Joe Root was looking set for a big one but a momentary lapse in concentration resulted in him losing his wicket. After that, Jos Buttler joined Ben Stokes and both of them are looking in good shape, having swelled the lead to 125. The visitors would be disappoin |
| ... Day 3, Session 3 ... |
| We are back for the last session of the day. Kohli has some final words in the huddle. Let's see how long they persist with Ashwin. For now, he will continue his spell. |
| 58.1 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Gives this air, bowls it slower in line of the stumps, Stokes blocks it out. |
| 58.2 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Another loopy ball on middle and leg, Stokes bunts it down. |
| 58.3 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Outside off this time, Stokes bunts it down onto the ground. |
| 58.4 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Another floated ball on middle, Stokes prods forward and blocks it out. |
| 58.5 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Edged but safe. Bowled outside off, Stokes gets low to defend it but gets a small edge which flies past the slip fielder. They cross for a run. |
| 58.6 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Down the leg side, Buttler tries to flick it but misses. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end. |
| 59.1 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Squares him up. Length ball on middle and leg. Stokes looks to play it with a straight bat but gets a leading edge towards the off side. They pick up a single. |
| 59.2 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Fuller in line of the stumps, Buttler pushes it to mid off. |
| 59.3 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Full and outside off, Buttler shoulders his arms to this. |
| 59.4 : J Bumrah to Buttler, On a good length around off, Buttler hits it back towards the bowler. |
| 59.5 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Fuller ball coming back into Jos who turns his bat to the on side. |
| 59.6 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Outside off, left alone. |
| 60.1 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Fuller ball on off, Stokes squeezes it towards mid off for a run. |
| 60.2 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Full and on leg, flicked away through square leg for another run. |
| 60.3 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Tosses it up on off, Stokes is solid in defense. |
| 60.4 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Another loopy ball on middle and leg, Stokes hits it to the on side. |
| 60.5 : R Ashwin to Stokes, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 60.6 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Full and on the pads, worked to the on side. |
| 61.1 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Low full toss on middle and leg, Buttler can't find the gap and plays it to the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 61.2 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Drags his length back a tad on off, Buttler hops and tucks it away through square leg for one. |
| 61.3 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Saw Stokes charging down the wicket and digs in a good bouncer. Around off, Stokes sways away from it. |
| 61.4 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Back of a length around off, Stokes defends it off his back foot. |
| 61.5 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Full and in line of the stumps, Stokes gets behind the ball and blocks it. |
| 61.6 : J Bumrah to Stokes, Full again on the pads, flicked away to deep square leg for one. |
| 62.1 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Short ball down the leg side, enough time for Stokes to rock back and block it out. |
| 62.2 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Another short ball on the pads, turned away to the on side. |
| 62.3 : R Ashwin to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 62.4 : R Ashwin to Stokes, On the leg side, worked towards square leg. |
| 62.5 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Nothing from Ashwin. Trying too hard perhaps. Stokes stays inside and blocks this ball from around off. |
| 62.6 : R Ashwin to Stokes, On the pads again, looking to target that rough. Stokes whips it away through square leg for a brace. |
| 63.1 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Shami did it 4-5 times to Buttler and now it's Bumrah. 'Beating the outside edge of Buttler'. Bowls it on a good length outside off, Buttler goes fishing and gets beaten. |
| 63.2 : J Bumrah to Buttler, FOUR! Delicate glance and will get a boundary for it. Back of a length ball on the leg side, Buttler helps it on it's way and the ball races to the fence. |
| 63.3 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Full and on off, driven to covers. |
| 63.4 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Full again closer to the stump, Jos gets behind it and sees it off. |
| 63.5 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Some chin music for the JB. Bumrah bends his back and dishes out a bouncer outside of, Buttler lets it through to the keeper. |
| 63.6 : J Bumrah to Jos Buttler, Goes short again, Buttler pulls it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 64.1 : Ashwin to Buttler, Floated ball outside off, the ball spins into Jos. He prods forward and tries to block it. It touches something and goes to Rahane at first slip. They appeal but nothing from the umpire. No inside edge there and it was way outside of for an LBW. |
| 64.2 : R Ashwin to Buttler, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single. |
| 64.3 : R Ashwin to Stokes, On the pads, flicked away to the square leg fielder. |
| 64.4 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Short and outside off, Stokes punches it off his back foot. |
| 64.5 : R Ashwin to Stokes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 64.6 : R Ashwin to Stokes, Darted this one down the leg side, Stokes goes after it but cannot make any contact. |
| Hardik Pandya to bowl for the first time today and also in this innings. Just one slip in place for him. What does he have for us? |
| 65.1 : H Pandya to Buttler, Starts by bowling one down leg, Buttler whips it away through square leg for a brace. |
| 65.2 : H Pandya to Buttler, Full and on off, Buttler drives it towards the off side for one. |
| 65.3 : H Pandya to Stokes, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. |
| 65.4 : H Pandya to Stokes, Good from Pandya. Hurls this one around off, the ball moves away a hint. Stokes looks to cut it but can't make any contact. |
| 65.5 : H Pandya to Stokes, Another peach. Stokes pokes at it but fails to put bat to ball. |
| 65.6 : H Pandya to Stokes, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| Review time! It is regarding a caught behind appeal against Jos Buttler. Have India got it right? |
| 66.1 : R Ashwin to Buttler, NOT OUT! Desperation review? Both India and England have been poor with their review. Ashwin bowls this full outside off, it keeps low after pitching on the rough. Buttler hangs his bat out but the bowl goes to Pant behind the stumps. He is the lone fielder appealing. Has a chat with Kohli and they take it up. Replays show us that there was no edge. India lose both their reviews. |
| 66.2 : R Ashwin to Buttler, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 66.3 : R Ashwin to Jos Buttler, Full and outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 66.4 : R Ashwin to Buttler, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 66.5 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Played through mid-wicket by Jos. They pick up a single. |
| 66.6 : R Ashwin to Stokes, FOUR! 50-run stand between the two. England are going really well. Short ball from Ashwin on off, Stokes punches it off his back foot through covers for a boundary. |
| 67.1 : H Pandya to Buttler, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 67.2 : H Pandya to Buttler, FOUR! Nicely done. Full and outside off, Buttler leans ahead and creams it through covers for another boundary. |
| 67.3 : H Pandya to Buttler, Short ball around off, Buttler looks to pull it but gets a bottom edge to it and it goes behind the stumps. |
| 67.4 : H Pandya to Buttler, Full and on off, Buttler gets forward and blocks it. |
| 67.5 : H Pandya to Buttler, Stays in his crease, covers his stumps and sees off this ball, tapping this in front of him. |
| 67.6 : H Pandya to Buttler, Full again around off, Buttler plays it with a straight bat. |
| 68.1 : R Ashwin to Stokes, OUT! That's a big, big wicket in the context of the game and it is Ashwin who has finally found a way out! He switches to over the wicket and bowls a quicker one outside off. Stokes tries to jam it out but gets a thick outside edge behind. Rahane at first slip is sharp as a hawk and takes a fine catch. The 56-run stand has been cut short. The southpaw looks very angry with himself. He was playing quite well and he would be sad that he failed to convert his start into a |
| Sam Curran comes out to bat. He was the star for England with the willow in their previous innings. Can he put in a similar performance? |
| 68.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, Full and on the leg side, Curran turns his bat to the on side. |
| 68.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Darts this full again on the legs of Sam who flicks it away to cow corner for a run to get off the mark. |
| 68.4 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Low full toss outside off, Buttler whips it through mid-wicket for just a run. |
| 68.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, Better from Ashwin, in line of the stumps, Curran gets low to block it but the ball goes to the off side. |
| 68.6 : R Ashwin to Curran, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 69.1 : H Pandya to Buttler, Once again Buttler is beaten outside his off pole. Pandya hurls this on a good length outside off, Jos pokes at it as the ball moves away and misses his outside edge. |
| 69.2 : H Pandya to Buttler, Full and on off, Buttler stays low and hits it to the off side. |
| 69.3 : H Pandya to Buttler, Length outside off, Buttler opens the bat face and guides it to third man. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 69.4 : H Pandya to Curran, Bouncer! Bangs this one short down leg, Curran ducks under it to evade it. |
| 69.5 : H Pandya to Curran, Back of a length ball around off, Curran stays inside and plays it to the off side. |
| 69.6 : H Pandya to Curran, Similar length outside off, Sam can't find the gap as he cuts it to the short point fielder. |
| 70.1 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Short ball outside off, Buttler flicks it to cow corner and jogs back for the second run. |
| 70.2 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Fuller in length on the pads, Buttler flicks it away towards square leg to rotate strike. |
| 70.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Good from Ash. Gets the batsman to come forward. Pitches it on that rough, the ball spins and beats the outside edge of Sam who was ahead to block it. |
| 70.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, Darts this one quicker in line of the stumps, Curran this time is solid in defense. |
| 70.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 70.6 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Loopy ball on off, Buttler plays it onto the ground. |
| 71.1 : H Pandya to Curran, Full and on the legs of Curran who flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 71.2 : H Pandya to Curran, FOUR! Curran does not need an invitation. Sees this fullish ball outside off, he extends his arms and slices it through point for a good looking boundary. |
| 71.3 : H Pandya to Curran, Lovely cricket from the youngster. Full and outside off, Curran plays it with soft hands towards mid off and hares to the other end. |
| 71.4 : H Pandya to Buttler, Edged but falls short. It was a genuine edge but the soft hands from Jos saved him. Good length ball outside off, Buttler hangs his bat out. Gets a faint edge to it. The ball falls just short of Kohli at first slip. |
| 71.5 : H Pandya to Buttler, Not the best of lines. Hurls this down the leg side. Buttler tries to flick it but cannot get any bat to it. |
| 71.6 : H Pandya to Buttler, Length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 72.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 72.2 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Fuller ball around off, Buttler plays it onto the ground. |
| 72.3 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Dishes this outside off, Buttler strides forward looking to block it. The ball spins and hits his pads outside off. |
| 72.4 : R Ashwin to Buttler, The rough doing its bit. Ashwin lands it there and Buttler fails to put bat on ball. |
| 72.5 : R Ashwin to Jos Buttler, Full and on middle and leg, Buttler hits it for the mid-wicket fielder to collect. |
| 72.6 : R Ashwin to Buttler, On the pads again, Buttler works it around the corner to keep the strike. |
| 73.1 : H Pandya to Buttler, Full and outside off, moves away a little. Buttler shoulders his arms to it. |
| 73.2 : H Pandya to Jos Buttler, Low full toss on that fourth stump line. Buttler hits it towards the mid off fielder. |
| 73.3 : H Pandya to Buttler, Back of a length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 73.4 : H Pandya to Buttler, Drags his length slightly behind, Buttler hits it to the off side. |
| 73.5 : H Pandya to Buttler, Overpitched outside off, Buttler drives it straight to the man at mid off. |
| 73.6 : H Pandya to Buttler, Full and on middle, Buttler flicks it away through square leg in the gap. Enough time to come back for the second. |
| 74.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, Full and on middle and leg, Curran flicks it through mid-wicket. The fielder from the circle hares behind the ball to keep it to two. |
| 74.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, Darts this on the pads, Curran flicks it away to the on side. |
| 74.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Two Byes. That's gone off the pitch. Hurled on off, the ball spins away from Curran who makes a good leave at the last moment. Pant fails to collect it as the ball rolls towards third man. They pick another brace. |
| 74.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 74.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, Off spinner down leg, Curran defends it off his back foot. |
| 74.6 : R Ashwin to Curran, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single. |
| 75.1 : H Pandya to Curran, Short ball on leg, Curran pulls it away to the deep square leg fielder. They pick up the run and get to the 200-run mark. England lead by 173 runs. |
| 75.2 : H Pandya to Buttler, Full and on off, Buttler defends it in front of him. |
| 75.3 : H Pandya to Buttler, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 75.4 : H Pandya to Buttler, Outside off, left alone. |
| 75.5 : H Pandya to Buttler, Played to the point region by Jos. One run added to the total. |
| 75.6 : H Pandya to Curran, Full and around off, Curran shows the full bat face and bunts it down. |
| Drinks break! Time for everyone to get a break. India will like to see the back of Sam Curran as soon as possible, not underestimating Jos Buttler. Just a few overs to go before India take the new ball. |
| 76.1 : Ashwin to Buttler, Pushed quicker through the air outside off, spinning in sharply. Buttler shuffles a touch and tries to block it but misses to get hit on the pads. A belated appeal from the Indians takes place but the umpire is unmoved. Perhaps the impact was outside off. |
| 76.2 : R Ashwin to Buttler, FOUR! Crisp! 9th Test fifty for Jos Buttler! Tossed up outside off, Buttler leans into it and strokes it through extra cover for a majestic boundary. He lifts his bat towards the crowd and gets a warm round of applause. He has played a fine knock and will want to continue in the same vein. |
| 76.3 : R Ashwin to Jos Buttler, Very full outside off, Jos goes for a booming drive but gets it off the outer half to third man. A run taken. |
| 76.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, That was a ripper! Pitches on a shorter length around leg and shoots off the deck with a good amount of spin. Curran prods forward to account for it but misses. The ball brushes his arms and goes behind. It is a tough take for Pant and he fails to gather it. The replays confirm that there was no bat involved. |
| There is a bit of a delay. The physio comes out and attends to Pant. He might have hurt his throat actually. Let's hope he is fine. |
| 76.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, Full ball around middle and leg, kept out watchfully. |
| 76.6 : R Ashwin to Curran, Quicker one around leg stump, Sam clears his front leg and dead-bats it. |
| 77.1 : H Pandya to Buttler, A gentle length ball around off, played defensively towards mid-wicket. |
| 77.2 : H Pandya to Buttler, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 77.3 : H Pandya to Buttler, Back of a length ball in the tight off stump corridor, Buttler pushes at it with hard hands and gets it off the outer half through backward point. Jos calls his partner through for the second run and completes it with ease. |
| 77.4 : H Pandya to Jos Buttler, Fractionally overpitched on off, driven on the up to mid off for a brisk single. |
| 77.5 : H Pandya to Curran, Back of a length well outside off, glided down to third man to rotate strike. |
| 77.6 : H Pandya to Buttler, FOUR! Buttler is flowing like a river at the moment! Similar length ball outside off, Jos waits for it and guides it deftly through third man to find the fence. |
| 78.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, Stump-to-stump line from Ashwin, Curran comes forward and dead-bats it. |
| 78.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, Almost a similar delivery as Sam is solid as a rock and dead-bats it. |
| 78.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Full ball outside off, Sam eases it off the front foot towards mid off. |
| 78.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 78.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, Ashwin tosses this one nicely around off, Sam leans ahead and taps it towards the mid off fielder. |
| 78.6 : R Ashwin to Curran, The carrom ball this time on middle, Curran reads it correctly and blocks it nicely. |
| 79.1 : H Pandya to Buttler, On a driveable length outside off, might be tempting for a lot but Buttler is set now. He doesn't make a mistake of chasing it away from his body. |
| 79.2 : H Pandya to Buttler, Full length ball attacking the stumps, Jos puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 79.3 : H Pandya to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Exquisite! Off cutter from Pandya on a fuller length outside off. Buttler comes forward and drives it beautifully through extra cover. The timing is spot on and the ball whistles away to the fence. |
| 79.4 : H Pandya to Buttler, Good length ball on middle and off, after pitching, the ball skids through. Buttler is hurried a touch but keeps it at bay by playing it towards square leg. |
| 79.5 : H Pandya to Buttler, Back of a length ball, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 79.6 : H Pandya to Buttler, This one pitches on a length on off and keeps low. Jos does well to adjust in his crease and defends it down the track. |
| 80.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, A bit risky but gets away with it! Sam exposes his stumps by making a bit of room as he chops this shorter ball towards covers. |
| 80.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, Gets right behind this quicker one and defends it nicely. |
| 80.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Full tossed up ball outside off, patted gently to the off side. |
| 80.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, Quick through the air again, Curran brings his bat and pad close together to deal with it. |
| 80.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, A bit shorter on middle and leg, helped towards mid-wicket. |
| 80.6 : R Ashwin to Sam Curran, Full ball on middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 81.1 : H Pandya to Jos Buttler, A slower short delivery, doesn't come onto Buttler as he checks his pull shot to the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 81.2 : H Pandya to Buttler, Back of a length ball on the hips, tucked to fine leg for a single. |
| 81.3 : H Pandya to Curran, Short ball which sits up nicely for Curran. He nails the pull to the deep square leg fielder for a single. |
| 81.4 : H Pandya to Buttler, A bit of hesitation but no harm done! Buttler taps the length ball besides the pitch on the off side. His partner calls him through for the single. He hesitates initially but then trusts Curran. Pandya attacks the ball and has a shy at his end but misses. Ashwin at mid on dives to his left to make a good stop. A single is the result. |
| 81.5 : H Pandya to Curran, Short of a length ball, leaving the southpaw. He glides it towards backward point. |
| 81.6 : H Pandya to Curran, Mistimed but he gets a couple for it! Chops the shortish ball through extra cover and gets a good result for it. |
| The second new ball has been taken now. India need to make the most of it. |
| 82.1 : R Ashwin to Buttler, Shorter in length, punched off the back foot to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 82.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 82.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Fuller in length outside off, Curran leans ahead and defends it with authority. |
| 82.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, This one is tossed up nicely and dips a bit on Curran. He gets low and smothers the turn. |
| 82.5 : R Ashwin to Curran, The arm ball from Ashwin on middle and leg. Curran is late to get his bat down and is struck on the pads. There is a stifled appeal for an LBW but it dies down quickly. It was going down leg. |
| 82.6 : R Ashwin to Curran, FOUR! This youngster has a lot of confidence! Tossed up outside off, Curran comes forward and drives it with authority through wide mid off to find the ropes. The 50-run stand comes up for the duo. The lead has gone past 200 too. The lower middle order has come to England's rescue once again. |
| Jasprit Bumrah to share the new ball from the other end. |
| 83.1 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Back of a length ball, rising on Buttler. He hops and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 83.2 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Bumrah goes wider of the crease and angles in a length ball. Jos knows where his off stump is and makes an assured leave. |
| 83.3 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Full ball, tailing in substantially. Buttler falls over a bit and misses his flick to get hit on the pads. No real appeal as it was doing too much. |
| 83.4 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Pitched up ball around off, holding its line. Buttler with a high elbow blocks it. |
| 83.5 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Better from Bumrah! Angles this one on the fifth stump channel and the ball straightens a touch. Buttler points his bat skywards to let it go. |
| 83.6 : J Bumrah to Buttler, Short of a length ball, comes at a nice height to Jos who stonewalls it from within the crease. |
| Ishant Sharma comes in for a burst. Can he make the difference for India? |
| 84.1 : I Sharma to Curran, Shortish and it nips away after landing. Curran has space to work with and punches it to deep point to rotate strike. |
| 84.2 : I Sharma to Buttler, Nicely done. Overpitched outside off, Buttler goes to the pitch of the ball and drives it square of the wicket on the off side. Will get a couple for doing so. |
| 84.3 : I Sharma to Buttler, Pitches it up wanting the new ball to do something but there is no movement as such. Buttler defends it down the track. |
| 84.4 : I Sharma to Buttler, Back of a length outside off, dabbed towards cover-point for an easy single. |
| 84.5 : I Sharma to Curran, A good call eventually from the youngster! He blocks the length ball past Sharma and calls his partner through. He is danging to the danger end as the fielder swoops in and has a shy but he makes his crease comfortably. |
| This can be a turning point in the game. Buttler has been trapped in front of the stumps but he takes the review quickly. Seems dead to the naked eye! |
| 84.6 : Sharma to Buttler, OUT! Not dead but it is umpire's call which is good enough! England do not lose a review but they lose the dangerous Buttler. Sharma lands this one on a length in the avenue of apprehension from wide of the crease. After pitching, the ball seams in appreciably. Buttler shuffles a touch in order to flick it across but his head is not on top of the ball. Ends up missing it to get hit flush in front. Ishant and Co. rise up in a vociferous appeal and up goes the umpire's fi |
| Adil Rashid strides out to bat. |
| 85.1 : J Bumrah to Curran, Back of a length outside off, punched off the back foot to the off side. |
| 85.2 : J Bumrah to Curran, Pitched up ball around off, driven crisply to mid off. |
| 85.3 : J Bumrah to Curran, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 85.4 : J Bumrah to Curran, FOUR! Well played! Half-volley outside off, Curran strokes it nicely through mid off to pick up another boundary. |
| 85.5 : J Bumrah to Curran, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Curran is playing another important knock. All these are vital runs for England. Pitched up ball outside off, Sam caresses it through covers to find the fence. |
| 85.6 : J Bumrah to Curran, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 86.1 : I Sharma to Rashid, Fullish ball around off, kept out watchfully. |
| 86.2 : I Sharma to Rashid, Back of a length ball on the fifth stump channel, Adil camps back and punches it off the back foot towards covers. |
| 86.3 : I Sharma to Rashid, Good length ball that takes off after pitching. Rashid rises up and fends it down. |
| It seems that Rashid is having a bit of an issue with his bat. He is taking his stance and checking it. Calls for a new bat. |
| 86.4 : I Sharma to Rashid, Short of a length ball just outside off stump, Adil knows where his off stump is and makes a good leave. |
| 86.5 : I Sharma to Rashid, Fuller in length around off, Adil Rashid leans ahead to stonewall it. |
| 86.6 : I Sharma to Rashid, FOUR! That is a shot which Rashid loves to play, states Nasser Hussain on air. Overpitched ball on leg stump, Adil clips it nonchalantly through square leg. The fielder in the deep hares across to his right but has no chance of cutting it off. |
| Mohammed Shami returns for his first stint with the second new ball. |
| 87.1 : M Shami to Curran, Back of a length ball outside off, Sam punches it on the up towards mid off. |
| 87.2 : M Shami to Rashid, Dug in short, Rashid ducks under it. |
| 87.3 : M Shami to A Rashid, Tentative! Good length ball in the tight off stump corridor, staying low. Rashid is on his toes and has to crouch. Ends up getting a thick inside edge past his legs and towards fine leg. A single taken. |
| 87.4 : M Shami to Curran, Good bowling! This one pitches on a length around off and straightens a bit to go past the hanging bat of Sam. |
| 87.5 : M Shami to Curran, Shortish ball around off, Curran punches it off the back foot to the cover region. |
| 87.6 : Shami to Sam Curran, FOUR! A pretty safe shot! With the lead continuing to swell, India will be pretty worried. Short and room on offer, Curran flashes at it and gets it off the outer half of the bat over third man to pick up another boundary. 6 from the over. |
| 88.1 : I Sharma to Rashid, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 88.2 : I Sharma to Rashid, Back of a length ball, Adil gets behind it and answers it with a straight bat. |
| 88.3 : I Sharma to Rashid, Sprayed down the leg side, clipped uppishly towards long leg to rotate strike. |
| 88.4 : I Sharma to Curran, Good length ball, seaming away off the deck. Curran stands tall and punches it to the cover region. |
| 88.5 : I Sharma to Curran, On a length outside off, keeps a bit low. Sam crouches and blocks it solidly. |
| 88.6 : I Sharma to Curran, Bye! Down the leg side, Curran tries to glance it away but misses. Pant flies to his right but fails to gather it properly. A run taken. |
| 89.1 : M Shami to Curran, Curran goes deep in the crease to the length ball outside off and glides it down to third man for a single. |
| 89.2 : M Shami to Rashid, FOUR! Streaky but effective! Back of a length ball outside off, Rashid tries to punch it through the line but gets it off outer half past backward point. |
| 89.3 : M Shami to Rashid, Short and there is some room on offer, Adil plays it with an open bat face towards point to rotate strike. |
| 89.4 : M Shami to Curran, Good length ball around off, pushed off the back foot towards covers. |
| 89.5 : M Shami to Curran, Beaten! Short of a length outside off, Curran tries to glide it through backward point but fails to put bat on ball. |
| 89.6 : M Shami to Curran, Goes deep in the crease to the length ball and blocks it solidly. |
| Ravichandran Ashwin is back on. |
| 90.1 : R Ashwin to Rashid, Quicker one on middle, Rashid hangs back to keep it out. |
| 90.2 : R Ashwin to Rashid, Quicker through the air, Adil blocks it out somehow. |
| 90.3 : R Ashwin to Rashid, Rashid comes forward to the tossed up ball and dead-bats it. |
| 90.4 : R Ashwin to Rashid, Similar to the last ball and Adil is solid with his defense. |
| 90.5 : R Ashwin to Rashid, Fuller in length, played off the outer half towards point. |
| 90.6 : R Ashwin to Rashid, Looped up nicely outside off, some drift on this one. Rashid has to stretch forward and blocks it tentatively off the outer half. |
| 91.1 : M Shami to Curran, In the channel outside off, Curran allows it through. |
| 91.2 : M Shami to Curran, Good length ball, straightening after landing. Curran pokes at it and gets an outside edge towards third man. A run taken. |
| 91.3 : M Shami to Rashid, On a length just outside off, Rashid plants his front foot across and makes a good leave. |
| 91.4 : M Shami to A Rashid, Edged but safe! In the corridor of uncertainty, Rashid pokes at it and gets an outside edge. Rahane gets low at gully but the ball drops short of him. |
| 91.5 : M Shami to Rashid, OUT! Shami gets a 3-fer! He has been the most threatening among the Indian bowlers and has produced good results. Good length ball on off, shapes away a touch after landing. Rashid has no option but to play at it and gets a healthy edge behind. Pant moves to his right and takes a regulation catch. THAT'S STUMPS ON DAY 3! |
| This is a day which has belonged to England. They will be really pleased with their efforts. Their lower middle order has come through with flying colours once more. Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes were involved in a vital partnership and took England to safe harbours from a tricky situation. The former scored a fine fifty and though his partner failed to convert his start, the job was pretty much done as England's lead crossed 200 without much fuss. The star for them in the first innings, Sam Curran |
| The Indians toiled hard throughout. They were penetrative in the morning, especially when they took a couple of early wickets. However, Joe Root played a handy knock to take his side out of trouble, getting good support from Keaton Jennings. Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma bowled well but the visitors needed their lone spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, to rise to the occasion. The pitch had dried up considerably but the wily spinner didn't create much of an impact. As a result, the |
| The hosts have swelled their lead to 233 and they will want to stretch it as much as they can. India, on the other hand, will be eager to clean up the tail as soon as possible. The Englishmen have Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid in their ranks who can prove to be more than a handful with the pitch deteriorating. The visitors will be aware of that and they have to come out with the right mindset during their second essay with the bat in order to challenge the opposition. Join us on Day 4 at 1100 local |
| ... Day 4, Morning Session ... |
| Hello and a warm welcome to Day 4, may be the deciding day of the 4th Test between England and India in Southampton. Another fascinating day of Test cricket awaits us with England 233 runs ahead and still having their last two wickets in hand. It's a bright and shining Sunday, a perfect day for cricket. So get your coffees and chips ready, as we are about to witness yet another enthralling contest unfold between these two mighty Test sides. After three days of grueling Test cricket, the game sti |
| First and foremost, the visitors will look to wrap up the English tail as quickly as possible. With the young and talented Sam Curran still at the crease, the hosts would want their lead to go well past 250. Even 300 may be on the cards, given the way the young southpaw has displayed his class with the bat. Every run from now on will hurt the tourists like a needle but the most important thing is that the game is still not out of their reach. If they can manage to stay in the present and do the |
| We are ready to begin. The umpires and the players make their way out to the middle. Shami will finish his incomplete over from last evening and he will be bowling to the new batsman, Stuart Broad. Three slips and a gully to start off proceedings. Here we go... |
| 91.6 : M Shami to Broad, OUT! GONE! Perfect start for the visitors. India strike early. Shami is on a hat trick for the second time in this innings. He lands it full and a bit wide of off stump. Broad, interestingly, tries to go for the big booming drive through covers. The ball lands and moves away slightly. The movement takes the outside edge and Pant behind takes a regulation catch. The Indians are elated and England have just one more to go now. |
| James Anderson is the last man in for England. |
| 92.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, The offie starts on a wrong line, drifting down the leg side. Sam lets it go to Pant. |
| 92.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, Ashwin again fires it down the leg, Curran though tries to flick it this time but does not get any bat on it. Pant collects. |
| 92.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Tossed up on the off stump line. Curran comes forward and blocks it down. |
| 92.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, This time Curran gets some bat on this floated delivery on his pads, gets a single in the square leg region. Jimmy comes on strike. |
| 92.5 : R Ashwin to Anderson, Tossed up on the stumps, Anderson keeps it out from his crease. |
| 92.6 : R Ashwin to Anderson, Beaten! Tossed up a bit outside the off stump. Anderson tentatively looks to block it out but the ball pitches and turns away. The spin beats Jimmy's poke and he survives. |
| 93.1 : M Shami to Curran, Full and outside off, from around the wicket, Curran drives it sweetly through the covers. Reluctantly takes the single. |
| 93.2 : M Shami to Anderson, Banged in short, it's quite sharp and accurate around off. Anderson just about manages to sway away from the line. He probably knows what he's in for. |
| 93.3 : M Shami to Anderson, Good length delivery well outside off, Anderson has a feel for it but misses. |
| 93.4 : M Shami to Anderson, Back of a length angling into the body, worked down to fine leg for a single. |
| 93.5 : M Shami to Curran, Curran rotate strike again. Flicks it through the gap in the mid-wicket region and gets to the other end. |
| 93.6 : M Shami to Anderson, Flicked away to square leg but no run taken. Wise from Jimmy. |
| 94.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, FOUR! Ashwin starts off with a full straight delivery from over the wicket. Curran plays a lovely straight drives, past Ashwin's right. The timing and placement is near perfect as the ball races across the straight boundary. |
| 94.2 : R Ashwin to Curran, Floated one on the off stump. Sam ets behind the line and defends. |
| 94.3 : R Ashwin to Curran, Tossed up around off, Sam blocks by coming forward. |
| 94.4 : R Ashwin to Curran, Defends this slower fullish delivery off the front foot. |
| 94.5 : R Ashwin to Sam Curran, Tossed up just outside off, Sam leans forward and drives it through covers, the batsmen cross for a run. |
| 94.6 : R Ashwin to Anderson, keeps it full but just outside off, Jimmy shoulders arms. |
| 95.1 : M Shami to Sam Curran, Shami bangs this one short, Sam goes for the pull, connects well, the ball goes to the fielder at deep square leg but Curran does not run. Taking responsibility. |
| 95.2 : M Shami to Curran, Lands it on a length around off, Curran taps this towards the point region. |
| 95.3 : M Shami to Sam Curran, Plays the pull again to this short delivery angled in his body, still refuses the run. |
| 95.4 : M Shami to Curran, Shami keeps this a bit short of a length around off, Curran shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. The ball rolls towards the cover region and one run added to the total. |
| 95.5 : M Shami to Anderson, Shami strays on his pads, Anderson keeps it out by defending from his crease. |
| 95.6 : M Shami to Anderson, Fires it in on Jimmy's pads who blocks it out with a dead bat. |
| 96.1 : R Ashwin to Curran, OUT! And India wrap up the England innings, pretty quickly. Some silly running has helped them achieve this though. Ashwin bowls a skidder angling in on Curran's pads. The southpaw goes for the pull but is late on the shot. The ball lands, skids through and hits his front pad and rolls past the slip fielder. Rahane at first slip cannot stop it cleanly and the batsmen take off for a run. With Ishant Sharma chasing the ball from short third man, the batsmen look to steal |
| So it just took India just 26 balls to wrap England up, conceding just 11 runs. Good for them too, as they were running the risk of conceding runs and having a target of around 300 to chase, given the way Sam Curran was going. Shami got Broad on the very first ball of the day and a needless run out ended things for the hosts. Still, setting a target of 245 isn't something they would mind much. |
| The game isn't over by a long shot, but England have their noses ahead in this game. It all resulted because of a culmination of some solid batting at the top by Jennings and Root, followed by Buttler's heroics with Stokes first and then Curran. The Indians couldn't take much advantage of the rough areas with Ashwin not looking at his best, but they will take heart in the face that if there wasn't much on offer for their pacers, then something similar might happen with their opponents too. |
| 0.1 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Starts off from around the wicket and angles in a length ball on off, Dhawan gets behind the line and blocks. |
| 0.2 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Oh that was close! Dhawan should consider himself extremely, extremely lucky. Coming back in from around off, on a back of a length, Dhawan surprisingly offers no shot and is rapped high on the pads. A loud shout goes up but umpire Dharmasena doesn't budge. England think about the review but after deciding long and hard, don't go for it. Good call too as replays show height would have been an issue. |
| 0.3 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Fuller and wider outside off, left alone. |
| 0.4 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Another leave from Dhawan. Sees the ball landing well away from him outside off, so has nothing to do with it. |
| 0.5 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Landed on a length and moving away, arms are shouldered once again. |
| 0.6 : J Anderson to Dhawan, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| Stuart Broad to start from the other end. Three slips in place for him, like Anderson. |
| 1.1 : S Broad to Rahul, Broad starts off with a back of a length delivery around off. Rahul stays back in his crease amns keeps it out. |
| 1.2 : S Broad to Rahul, Beaten! Better from Broad as he keeps it a bit fuller this time just around off. The ball pitches and nips away a bit. Rahul, looking to defend off the front foot is beaten by the movement. |
| 1.3 : S Broad to Rahul, Similar delivery to the last one. Rahul again tentatively looks to block it out. The ball lands and moves away prodigiously. Rahul is beaten but is seen acknowledging the delivery. |
| 1.4 : S Broad to Rahul, Length around off, Rahul comes forward and defends confidently. |
| 1.5 : S Broad to Rahul, A bit shorter and a bit wider of off this time, Rahul shoulders arms. |
| 1.6 : S Broad to Rahul, Rahul lets this one go outside the off stump. |
| 2.1 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Starts from round the wicket, lands it on a fullish length just outside off, Dhawan lets it go behind. |
| 2.2 : J Anderson to Dhawan, A bit wider of off and Shikhar shoulders arms again. |
| 2.3 : J Anderson to S Dhawan, FOUR! STREAKY! but India will take them however they come. Jimmy bowls this one in the corridor of uncertainty. Dhawan comes forward to block. There is a bit of away movement on landing which takes a thick outsuide edge of Shikhar's bat. The ball flies past the vacant gully regionto the boundary. The tourists get their first boundary of the innings. |
| 2.4 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Keeps it a bit back of a length outside off, Dhawan lets it go. |
| 2.5 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Big appeal for LBW. Jimmy fires this one into Dhawan's pads who tries to flick it through the leg side. The ball comes in on pitching and the southpaw is hit on the pads. The English team go up with an appeal but the umpire declines it. Replays show the ball was missing leg. |
| 2.6 : J Anderson to Dhawan, The ball is too wide to entice Dhawan into a shot. |
| 3.1 : S Broad to L Rahul, OUT! Hard luck Rahul! England strike early. Broad keeps it on a length around off. Rahul, who should have come forward to defend, stays back in his crease and looks to block it out. The ball keeps very low, around shin height, takes the bottom edge of Rahul's bat and uproots the off pole. Rahul's poor form continues. India, one down. |
| 0.0 : Cheteshwar Pujara in next to bat. |
| 3.2 : S Broad to Pujara, Keeps it full and wide of off. Pujara leaves. |
| 3.3 : S Broad to Pujara, Fires this on on a length on his pads, Pujara flicks it straight to the fielder at square leg. |
| 3.4 : S Broad to Pujara, Lands it a bit shorter of a good length, Pujara from within his crease tries to keep it out, the ball hits the surface and moves away to get a thick outside edge. The batsmen take a single as the ball rolls into the vacant third man area. |
| 3.5 : S Broad to Dhawan, FOUR! Exquisite from Dhawan. Broad fires it on a fullish length angling into Dhawan. There is good inward movement on the ball and that beats Dhawan who is looking to lean across and turn it away into the leg side. The ball raps him on his pads and England appeal. The umpire though refuses as the ball is seen missing leg. It is a bit high as well. |
| 3.6 : S Broad to Dhawan, Lands it outside off, Dhawan leaves. |
| 4.1 : J Anderson to C Pujara, Anderson lands it on a length around off, Pujara plays inside the line, with soft hands, the outside edge scurries away past the two slips and a gully. They take a single. |
| 4.2 : Anderson to Dhawan, Jimmy fires this on a length on middle on leg. The ball swings in and moves further in on pitching. Dhawan, looking to whip it off his pads, misses it ans gets rapped on the pads. Jimmy and the slip cordon roar in an appeal but the umpire turns it down. Missing leg, just. |
| 4.3 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Keeps it full outside off, Dhawan leaves. |
| 4.4 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Anderson keeps it on a length just outside off, Dhawan initially looks to play at it but at the last moment pulls his bat inside the line of the ball and lets it go past. |
| 4.5 : J Anderson to Dhawan, A short of a length ball around off is tapped away towards the point region. The batsmen take a quick single. |
| 4.6 : J Anderson to Pujara, Anderson strays on Pujara's pads who flicks this one to deep fine leg fr a single. |
| 5.1 : S Broad to Pujara, Braod starts off a new over with one that is just a bit shorter of good length around off. Pujara blocks it off the back foot. |
| 5.2 : S Broad to Pujara, Lands it a bit pull on off, Pujara comes forward and defends. |
| 5.3 : S Broad to Pujara, A bit straighter on a length from Broad. Pujara turns it away into the square leg region. No run. |
| 5.4 : S Broad to Pujara, Pujara leaves this one outside his off stump. |
| 5.5 : S Broad to Pujara, Beaten! Broad gets this one to land on a length on off and nip away on landing. Pujara who is seen trying to play the initial line is beaten. |
| 5.6 : S Broad to Pujara, Strays on Pujara's pads who does not miss out. He flicks it into the square leg region and picks up two more. |
| 6.1 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Jimmy keeps this one fuller outside off. Dhawan watchfully lets it go. |
| 6.2 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Beaten! Peach of a delivery from Anderson. He lands this one on a length just outside off. It lands and straightens. Dhawan trying to block it off the front foot is beaten because of the movement. Anderson has his hands on his heads. |
| 6.3 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Continues to hit the corridor around off. Dhawan comes forward to block, the ball nips away, takes a thick outside edge and flies through the vacant gully area. The substitute fielder, Pope, chases it down and keeps it down to three. |
| 6.4 : J Anderson to Pujara, On a length around off, Pujara defends off the front foot. |
| 6.5 : J Anderson to Pujara, A bit shorter in length, Pujara goes back and keeps it out. |
| Pujara has been trapped in front of the stumps but after having a chat with his partner, he goes for the review. Looks out to the naked eye. Only the height can save him. |
| 6.6 : Anderson to Pujara, OUT! No, the height is not an issue. It is umpire's call though so India does not miss their review. Pujara goes, big blow for India. Anderson keeps it on a length on off stump. Pujara, from within the crease, looks to keep oit out. The ball nips in on pitching, beats Che's inside edge and raps his pads. England appeal confidently and umpire obliges. Pujara has a chat with Shikhar who advices him to go for the review. Replay shows the ball is hitting in line and the hei |
| Virat Kohli comes out to bat. A captain's knock is the need of the hour. |
| 7.1 : S Broad to Dhawan, Beaten! Broad looking dangerous. Hits the good length area around off. Dhawan looking to play the front foot defence is beaten due to the away movement on the ball. |
| 7.2 : S Broad to Dhawan, Beaten again! Broad pulls the length back a bit, Dhawan from his crease looks to block, the ball moves away again and luckily for Dhawan beats his bat again. |
| 7.3 : S Broad to Dhawan, Lands it on a length around off, Dhawan defends with a straight bat. |
| 7.4 : S Broad to Dhawan, Fuller on off, Dhawan leans forward and drives to mid on. |
| 7.5 : S Broad to S Dhawan, A good length ball on off, Dhawan comes forward and tries to keep oit out, Gets a thick outside edge and the ball rolls in the gap towards the third man area. They cross over to change strike. |
| 7.6 : S Broad to Kohli, Gets it to land on a length just around off, Kohli goes well to get behind the line of the ball and keep it out. |
| 8.1 : J Anderson to Dhawan, FOUR! Beautiful! Anderson does the mistake of bowling this one pretty full and is too straight as well. Dhawan covers the line and flicks it nonchalantly in front of square leg to find the fence. |
| 0.0 : There is an issue with the ball and the umpires have a look at it. |
| 8.2 : J Anderson to Dhawan, Slips this one down the leg side and it is pretty short. Shikhar tries to tuck it away but misses. |
| 8.3 : J Anderson to S Dhawan, OUT! India are in all sorts of troubles! Anderson is in tremendous rhythm and is running through them. Anderson lands this one on a length around off and there is some nibble in the air. Dhawan gets squared up as he comes forward and pushes at it but gets a thick outside edge behind. Stokes who is stationed in the gully region gets low to his left and takes a brilliant catch. That was traveling at a fast pace and he did extremely well to take it. England are cock-a- |
| Ajinkya Rahane is the new man in. He has a calm head on his shoulders. Can he take India to safe harbours along with the skipper? |
| 8.4 : J Anderson to Rahane, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 8.5 : J Anderson to Rahane, On a good length outside off, Ajinka taps it through point and gets off the mark. |
| 8.6 : J Anderson to Kohli, Short of a length ball, angling in from outside off, Virat turns it defensively towards short leg. A successful over for England. |
| 9.1 : S Broad to Rahane, Broad starts the new over with a good length ball around off. Rahane comes forward and blocks it out. |
| 9.2 : S Broad to Rahane, Fuller on off this time, Rahane leans forward and drives it towards the cover-point area. They quickly take a single. It's Kohli vs Broad time. |
| 9.3 : S Broad to Kohli, Lands it on a fullish length just around off, Kohli comes forward nicely and pushes it to the left of mid off and takes a single. |
| 9.4 : S Broad to Rahane, Keeps it on a good length on middle and off. Rahane blocks it out. |
| 9.5 : S Broad to Rahane, Pulls the length back a bit but keeps it just outside off, Rahane shoulders arms. |
| 9.6 : S Broad to Rahane, Ends the over with a similar delivery. Length ball just outside off, Rahane watchfully lets it go behind. |
| 10.1 : J Anderson to Kohli, Starts the new one with a length ball on off stump. Kohli comes right forward to keep it out. |
| 10.2 : J Anderson to Kohli, Lands this one fuller and a bit outside off. Kohli leans ahead and tries to drive through the cover region. He's early into the drive and gets the inner half of the bat. The ball rolls down towards mid on. |
| 10.3 : J Anderson to Kohli, Keeps it on a length around off. Kohli defends off the front foot. |
| 10.4 : J Anderson to Kohli, Similar ball and a similar block from the Indian skipper. |
| 10.5 : J Anderson to Kohli, A bit short of a length on off, Kohli stays back and blocks it out. |
| 10.6 : J Anderson to Kohli, Jimmy continues with the probing line and length. Kohli is up to the task as he defends solidly by coming right behind the line of the delivery. Maiden over by Anderson. |
| 11.1 : S Broad to Rahane, Starts off with a fullish length delivery outside off. Rahane comes forward and defends with a slightly open face. The ball runs towards the deep point and they take a single. |
| 11.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Broad fires this one a bit striaghter on Kohli's pads who waits in his crease, lets the ball to come near him and wrists it away into the square leg region for a single. |
| 11.3 : S Broad to Rahane, Inside edge towards deep fine leg. Broad keeps it on a length on off. Rahane comes forward looking to block it out. The ball lands, nips in and takes a thick inside edge of Rahane's bat. The ball rolls down tpwards the deep square leg area. The batsmen think of two but decide against it at the last moment. |
| 11.4 : S Broad to Kohli, A length ball around off is defended off the front foot. |
| 11.5 : S Broad to Kohli, Pulls the length back, keeps it just outsude oiff. Kohli opens thef ace of his bat and runs it down to the third man region to exchange strike. |
| 11.6 : S Broad to Rahane, Lands it on a length but outside off. Rahane shoulders arms. |
| Moeen Ali comes into the attack. |
| 12.1 : M Ali to Kohli, Ali starts his spell with a flighted delivery on off. Kohli blocks it off the front foot. |
| 12.2 : M Ali to Kohli, Tossed up arond off, Kohli comes right forward and defends. |
| 12.3 : M Ali to Kohli, Very full on off, Kohli wrists it away towards mid on. |
| 12.4 : M Ali to Kohli, Half-hearted appeal from England. Ali keeps this full outside off, Kohli comes forward looking to defend. The ball dips and turns on pitching. Kohli it hit on his front pad. England appeal but umpire rejects. He was hit just outside off. |
| 12.5 : M Ali to Kohli, Fuller and straighter, pushed to mid on. |
| 12.6 : M Ali to Kohli, Fullish delivery on Kohli's pads, who flciks it to the fielder at square leg. |
| Ben Stokes into the attack. |
| 13.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Keeps it just short of a length on off, Rahane stands tall and blocks. |
| 13.2 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, A bit shorter of a length on off, Rahane comes behind the line of the delivery and defends. |
| 13.3 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Angles this one into Rahane, but strays it down the leg side. Rahane tried to flick it away but missed. |
| 13.4 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Full length ball on off, Rahane defends off the front foot. |
| 13.5 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Beaten! Wow what a ball! That one landed on a length just on off stump, Rahane tries to come behind the line but he ball lands and moves away prodigiously to beat Rahane's outside edge. An 83 mph leg cutter from the English all rounder. |
| 13.6 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Length ball outside off, Rahane has nothing to do with it. |
| 14.1 : M Ali to V Kohli, Tossed up full on off, Kohli drives to covers for a single. |
| 14.2 : M Ali to Rahane, A tossed but delivery on middle and leg. Rahane tries to flick it but gets rapped on the pads. The balls driblets down towards fine leg and the batsmen cross over for a run. |
| 14.3 : M Ali to Kohli, Tossed up ball on off, Kohli defends off the front foot. |
| 14.4 : M Ali to Kohli, Similar ball and similar block by Kohli. |
| 14.5 : M Ali to Kohli, Moeen lands this on middle and leg, Kohli wrists it away to mid-wicket. |
| 14.6 : M Ali to Kohli, Floated around the off stump, Kohli gets behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 15.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Stokes fires it in on a length angling into Rahane who leans forward and flicks it towards the mid-wicket region. The timing on that one is good enough for the batsmen to cross over for the third. |
| 15.2 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Kohli comes across and steers a single through backward point. |
| 15.3 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, A length delivery on off is blocked out off the front foot. |
| 15.4 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Rahane comes behind the line of this back of a length delivery on off, opens the face of the bat and nudges it towards the point region for a single. |
| 15.5 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Keeps it a bit back of a length, Kohli defends off the back foot. |
| 15.6 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Stokes fires it just behind a length, angling into the batsman, Kohli walks inside the line of the ball and tucks it away towards the fine leg region. The fielder there does well to dive and stop it from crossing the boundary. They get two. |
| 16.1 : M Ali to Rahane, Tossed up around off, Rahane comes forward and drives through covers for a single. |
| 16.2 : M Ali to Kohli, Ali fires it on Kohli's pads who goes back and flicks it towards the square leg region. The batsmen take a brace. |
| This can be a big moment in the game. A review taken by Root and it is against Kohli regarding an LBW decision. This looks close. |
| 16.3 : M Ali to Kohli, Not out! England lose a review. It looked close to the naked eye. Ali tosses this one up and lands it outside off, on the rough patch. The ball turns in sharply as Kohli is looking to block it off the front foot. The ball spins in and beats the Indian skipper's inside edge who gets rapped on the front pad. England instantly appeal but the umpire turns it down. The hosts discuss and decide to go upstairs. Replay shows that the ball has taken the inside edge and that is exact |
| 16.4 : M Ali to Kohli, Tossed up on off, Kohli defends with a full f ace of the bat. |
| 16.5 : M Ali to Kohli, Floated on a length outside off, Kohli goes back and pushes it towards covers for a single. |
| 16.6 : M Ali to Rahane, Rahane comes right forward to this full delivery on off and defends it solidly. |
| Sam Curan comes into the attack. |
| 17.1 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Starts off with a length ball outside off, Kohli shoulders arms. |
| 17.2 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Similar ball, Kohli again watchfully lets it go. |
| 17.3 : Sam Curran to V Kohli, A bit fuller on middle stump line, Kohli drives it to mid on. |
| 17.4 : Sam Curran to Kohli, A bit shorter in length on off, Kohli opens the face to tap it towards point. |
| 17.5 : Sam Curran to Kohli, lands it just outside off, angling further away from the batsman who lets it go past. |
| 17.6 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Sam pulls the length back and keeps it on off, Kohli comes behind the line of the ball nicely and keeps it out. |
| 18.1 : M Ali to Rahane, Tossed up ball on off, Rahane goes back and defends. |
| 18.2 : M Ali to Rahane, Slower and fuller on middle, Rahane wrists it away towards the square leg region. |
| 18.3 : M Ali to Rahane, A bit quicker and fuller outside off, Rahane goes back to flick it but the turns beats his inside edge and he gets rapped on his pads. England appeal but half-heartedly. The umpire declines it. |
| 18.4 : M Ali to A Rahane, Ali drags it short this time, Rahane rocks back quickly and pulls it towards the deep square leg region to take a brace. |
| 18.5 : M Ali to Rahane, Floated around middle and off, Rahane flicks it away into the mid-wicket region for a single. |
| 18.6 : M Ali to Kohli, Tossed up on off, it is defended off the front foot. |
| 19.1 : Sam Curran to Rahane, Sam fires it full outside off, Rahane shoulders arms. |
| 0.0 : Rahane has been given out LBW but he takes the DRS after having a chat with his skipper. The impact might save him. |
| 19.2 : Sam Curran to Rahane, Safe! The impact has turned out to be Rahane's savior! Fabulous use of the review by the tourists. They cannot afford to lose another wicket before Lunch. Sam, from around the wicket, angles it into Rahane. Lands it on a fuller length as Ajinkya comes forward to block it out. The ball pitches and continues to come into Rahane who pushes at it but gets beaten by the inward movement and the ball raps him on his front pad. England appeal loudly and the umpire raises his |
| 19.3 : Sam Curran to Rahane, Keeps it on a length on off, Rahane defends it with the full face of the bat. |
| 19.4 : Sam Curran to Rahane, Lands this one on a shorter of a length outside off, Rahane opens the bat face to guide it towards the point region for a single. |
| 19.5 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Fuller on middle, Kohli leans forward and eases it to mid-wicket. |
| 19.6 : Sam Curran to Kohli, Bouncer from Sam. Kohli ducks under this one. THAT'S LUNCH ON DAY 4! |
| England are right on top as we enter the Lunch break in this exciting and enthralling battle. Their tail couldn't wag for long this morning but the way they have bowled has put them in a position of immense strength. India have lost their top order quickly and they will have their hopes pinned on the current pair of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. |
| The Indian skipper and his deputy have a mountain of a task ahead of them. The English bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths throughout the session, not giving any freebies to the visiting batsmen. Will we see the no. 1 Test team fight back and make a match out of this? We will soon find out. Join us on the other side of the break. |
| ... Day 4, Session 2 ... |
| We are back for the afternoon session. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane to resume their innings. Moeen Ali to continue his spell. |
| 20.1 : M Ali to Rahane, Tossed up around off, Rahane comes forward and defends it with his bat and pad close together. |
| 20.2 : M Ali to Rahane, On a shorter length, goes straight on, Ajinkya hangs back and blocks it nicely. |
| 20.3 : M Ali to Rahane, Well bowled! Gives this one more revs outside off and gets it to dip into Rahane. He prods forward to deal with it but is hit on the pads. No real appeal as such from England as the impact was well outside off. |
| 20.4 : M Ali to Rahane, Rahane makes use of the depth of the crease and turns it with the spin to the man at 45 for a run. |
| 20.5 : M Ali to Kohli, Fuller in length on middle and off, eased back towards the bowler. |
| 20.6 : M Ali to Kohli, On a flatter trajectory, skids after landing. Virat hangs back and presents a water-tight defense. |
| Stuart broad to bowl from the other end. |
| 21.1 : S Broad to Rahane, Broad starts off his new spell with a good length ball around off, Ajinkya hangs back and taps it nicely towards mid off. |
| 21.2 : S Broad to Rahane, Broad pitches this one full, allowing the ball to do its thing in the air. It swings in as Ajinkya comes ahead and pats it down the track. |
| 21.3 : S Broad to Rahane, Broad drags his length back a touch, Jinx waits for it and plays it with an angled bat towards point. |
| 21.4 : S Broad to Rahane, Fractionally overpitched outside off, Ajinkya shows the full face of the bat and caresses it to mid off. |
| 21.5 : S Broad to Rahane, Stokes is not happy, he knows that every run matters in a close contest. In the corridor outside off, Rahane pushes at it but gets it off the outer half towards Ben at gully. He dives to his right and misfields, allowing a single. |
| 21.6 : S Broad to Kohli, That was a well judged single! Fuller in length around off, Kohli strokes it crisply towards mid off and sets off. Takes on Anderson's arm and makes him falter. |
| 22.1 : M Ali to Kohli, Kohli has to be careful! No need to play such expansive strokes. Tossed up outside off, Virat goes for a booming drive but gets an inside edge down the track. |
| 22.2 : M Ali to Kohli, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 22.3 : M Ali to Kohli, FOUR! Nicely played! He is good through that area. This one is fullish and there is some width outside off. Kohli frees his arms and drives it with an open bat face through point to find the fence. |
| 22.4 : M Ali to Kohli, Looped up nicely, spinning in. Virat comes ahead gingerly to block it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 22.5 : M Ali to Kohli, Leans ahead to the tossed up ball and defends it nicely. |
| 22.6 : M Ali to Kohli, Leans ahead and across to the tossed up ball and defends it besides the pitch on the leg side. |
| 23.1 : S Broad to Rahane, This one takes off from a length on the fifth stump channel. Rahane knows where his off stump is and makes an assured leave. |
| 23.2 : S Broad to Rahane, A big, big appeal for a caught behind falls on deaf ears! Was there an inside edge? Probably not. Good length ball outside off, nipping in after landing. Rahane tries to block it but seems to have missed it. The ball goes off something behind to Buttler who takes it and appeals. Root and Broad join in but the umpire is unmoved. England don't go for the review. Rightly so, as the replays show there was no inside edge. It was pretty close to the glove for comfort though. |
| 23.3 : S Broad to Rahane, Fuller in length outside off, left alone. |
| 23.4 : S Broad to Rahane, A bit wider of off stump, Ajinkya doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 23.5 : S Broad to Rahane, Outside off, third leave in a row from Rahane. |
| 23.6 : S Broad to Rahane, FOUR! Easy pickings! These are easy runs on offer for Rahane. He moves inside the line to a delivery which is going down the leg side and tickles it fine past the keeper to pick up a boundary. |
| 24.1 : M Ali to Kohli, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. |
| 0.0 : Kohli has been bamboozled by a delivery which has kept very low. He has been struck in front and Root has quite quickly challenged the decision. Will the impact save the Indian skipper? |
| 24.2 : M Ali to Kohli, Safe! The impact has come to the rescue of Kohli! He must have had his heart in his mouth. A brilliant decision from Dharmasena this. England have exhausted both their reviews now. Coming back to the ball, it is tossed up on the rough patch outside off. Virat camps back to deal with it but the ball keeps extremely low to go past his defense and he is hit flush on the pads. Ali and Co rise up in a vociferous appeal but the umpire stays put. Root has a chat with his mates and |
| 24.3 : M Ali to Kohli, Slow through the air around off, eased to mid off. |
| 24.4 : M Ali to Kohli, Allows the ball to spin back and clips it through mid-wicket for a brace. |
| 24.5 : M Ali to Kohli, Shorter in length outside off, punched away for a single. |
| 24.6 : M Ali to Rahane, Loopy delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 25.1 : S Broad to Kohli, On a length well outside off, Kohli doesn't flirt with danger. |
| 25.2 : S Broad to Kohli, Almost a replica of the previous delivery as Virat points his bat skywards to let it go. |
| 25.3 : S Broad to Kohli, That was a similar delivery to the one that got KL Rahul out! On a length outside off, keeps low. Kohli shuffles a touch and somehow keeps it out. |
| 25.4 : S Broad to V Kohli, Nice and crisp! Fractionally overpitched around off, Kohli leans ahead and strokes it through extra cover. The timing is really good and he gets three good runs for it. |
| 25.5 : S Broad to Rahane, Back of a length outside off, played with an open bat face towards point. |
| 25.6 : S Broad to Rahane, In the avenue of apprehension, holding its line. Rahane doesn't fall for the bait and lets it through. |
| 26.1 : M Ali to Kohli, Floated outside off on a fullish length, Kohli drills it nicely towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 26.2 : M Ali to Rahane, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 26.3 : M Ali to Rahane, If he missed that, he would have been a candidate for an LBW! Quicker in pace and spinning in sharply from around off, Rahane instead of coming forward decides to stay back. Keeps it out eventually. |
| 26.4 : M Ali to Rahane, Slower through the air, Ajinkya comes ahead and smothers the turn. |
| 26.5 : M Ali to Rahane, Floated around off again, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 26.6 : M Ali to Rahane, Ali continues to probe in around that rough patch. Rahane comes ahead to the pitch of the ball to kill it on the turf. |
| 27.1 : S Broad to Kohli, Pitched up ball around off, Kohli puts his head down and with a high elbow blocks it right under his eyes. |
| 27.2 : S Broad to Kohli, In the tight off stump corridor again, Virat covers the line of the ball and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 27.3 : S Broad to Kohli, On a good length outside off, it is that channel which is tempting to feel for. However, Kohli is circumspect in his approach and allows it go through. |
| 27.4 : S Broad to Kohli, On a driveable length outside off, the Indian skipper strokes it with good timing to the cover region. |
| 27.5 : S Broad to Kohli, Full ball attacking the stumps, Kohli is up to it as he shuffles a touch and drives it crisply to mid on. |
| 27.6 : S Broad to Kohli, Full length ball outside off, kept out watchfully. A maiden for Broad. |
| 28.1 : M Ali to Rahane, That was a highly optimistic appeal! Tossed up ball well outside off, it is a good shot selection from Rahane as he tries to fetch it from outside off but the execution is not proper. Ends up missing it to get hit on the pads and that draws a shout from the Englishmen. The umpire doesn't give a positive response. The impact was a country mile outside off. |
| 28.2 : M Ali to Rahane, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 28.3 : M Ali to Rahane, Spinning in from around off, Rahane leans ahead and smothers the turn. Good way to play such deliveries, with your head on top of the ball. |
| 28.4 : M Ali to Rahane, Slower through the air, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 28.5 : M Ali to Rahane, On a flatter trajectory, Rahane hangs back and kills it on the pitch. |
| 28.6 : M Ali to Rahane, Brings his bat and pad close together and answers it with a straight bat. |
| Adil Rashid to roll his arm over now. Let's see how he uses the rough patch. |
| 29.1 : A Rashid to Kohli, Starts off with a straighter one outside off, Kohli plants his front foot across and makes an assured leave. |
| 29.2 : A Rashid to Kohli, Almost a replica of the previous delivery as Virat doesn't commit himself to it. |
| 29.3 : A Rashid to Kohli, In line of the stumps this time, Virat clears his front leg to keep it at bay. |
| 29.4 : A Rashid to Kohli, Outside off, skids through after landing. Virat leaves it on its way. |
| 29.5 : A Rashid to Kohli, Pitches around leg stump, Kohli comes ahead to smother the turn but is hit on the pads. An appeal ensues but that wasn't going to be given. |
| 29.6 : A Rashid to Kohli, England are in the thick of things! Another appeal turned down. Rashid slips in the googly and gets a good amount of purchase from the track. Kohli takes a big stride ahead to counter the inward spin but is struck on the pads. Rashid pleads for it but the umpire shakes his head. Doing too much perhaps. |
| 30.1 : M Ali to Rahane, Turn and bounce as it spins back appreciably, Rahane tries to defend but is hit on the pads. |
| 30.2 : M Ali to A Rahane, Floated well outside off, Ajinkya pushes at it but gets it off the outer half towards third man. A couple taken. |
| 30.3 : M Ali to Rahane, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 30.4 : M Ali to Rahane, Rahane makes use of the depth of the crease and turns this one with the spin to the leg side. |
| 30.5 : M Ali to Rahane, Fuller in length, Rahane comes ahead to take the spin out of the equation and dead-bats it. |
| 30.6 : M Ali to Rahane, Quicker one outside off, Rahane glides it to third man for a single. |
| 31.1 : A Rashid to Rahane, Slower through the air, Rahane strides ahead and blocks it nicely. |
| 31.2 : A Rashid to A Rahane, Fullish ball, tapped towards mid off with the spin. |
| 31.3 : A Rashid to Rahane, Around off, not much spin on that one. Ajinkya places it through wide mid on for a single. |
| 31.4 : A Rashid to Kohli, The conventional leg spinner from Rashid as Kohli punches it towards covers. |
| 31.5 : A Rashid to Kohli, FOUR! Pure timing on that one! A boundary after almost 8 overs. The googly from Rashid but it is on a shorter length. Allows Kohli to rock back and whip it through mid-wicket. There is no chance for the man in the deep to cut it off. That brings the 50-run stand between the duo. They have calmed the nerves in the dressing room but they need to carry on. |
| 31.6 : A Rashid to Kohli, Quicker one outside off, left alone. |
| 32.1 : M Ali to Rahane, Floated around off, dealt with expertly. |
| 32.2 : M Ali to Rahane, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 32.3 : M Ali to Rahane, Spinning into Rahane who turns it towards short leg. |
| 32.4 : M Ali to Rahane, Not a bad way to play Ali on this track. When you commit yourself, you should commit completely. Comes ahead confidently and though he can't handle the sharp spin on this, he takes it on the pads. |
| 32.5 : M Ali to Rahane, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 32.6 : M Ali to Rahane, Takes off from the rough as Rahane is hit on the pads. |
| 33.1 : A Rashid to Kohli, No run. |
| 33.2 : A Rashid to Kohli, Comes ahead to the tossed up ball and defends it. |
| 33.3 : A Rashid to Kohli, Kohli covers the line to the floated ball and defends it under his eyes. |
| 33.4 : A Rashid to Kohli, Well bowled! Gives this one more revs, Kohli goes for an expansive drive through the line but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls down the track. Stokes likes it at first slip. |
| 33.5 : A Rashid to Kohli, Driven with the spin to covers. |
| 33.6 : A Rashid to Kohli, Fractionally short, kept out from the comfort of the crease. |
| 34.1 : M Ali to Rahane, No run. |
| 34.2 : M Ali to Rahane, Full ball outside off, eased towards covers for a single. |
| 34.3 : M Ali to Kohli, Virat goes deep in the crease and turns this one through mid-wicket to rotate strike. |
| 34.4 : M Ali to Rahane, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 34.5 : M Ali to Rahane, Loopy full ball around off, Ajinkya dead-bats it. |
| 34.6 : M Ali to Rahane, Slower through the air, Jinx comes ahead and blocks it with authority. |
| 35.1 : A Rashid to Kohli, Kohli leans ahead to the flighted ball and plays it against the spin through square leg for a run. |
| 35.2 : A Rashid to Rahane, Not much spin on this one as he tucks it through mid-wicket to change strike. |
| 35.3 : A Rashid to Kohli, Well played! Slips in the googly, Kohli camps back and whips it through mid-wicket. Will get a couple for doing so. |
| 35.4 : A Rashid to Kohli, Driven through the covers by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 35.5 : A Rashid to Rahane, Tossed up on middle and off, kept out watchfully. |
| 35.6 : A Rashid to Rahane, Similar delivery, no trouble at all for Jinx to deal with it. |
| 36.1 : M Ali to Kohli, He has found the gap but Bairstow in the deep does extremely well! Spins in viciously from the rough, Kohli makes use of the depth of the crease and turns it through square leg. Jonny in the deep hares to his right and dives full length to save a run for his side. |
| 36.2 : M Ali to Rahane, Slower through the air, Rahane lunges forward in defense. |
| 36.3 : M Ali to Rahane, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 36.4 : M Ali to Rahane, Around the rough patch, Ajinkya is right forward to the pitch of the ball and blocks it nicely. |
| 36.5 : M Ali to Rahane, Spinning in substantially, Ajinkya is right back as he works it with the spin towards square leg. |
| 36.6 : M Ali to Rahane, Whoosh! That one was venomous. Lands on the rough and takes off like an aeroplane. Rahane is taken aback and he tries to fend it off but takes a blow on the arm. That will hurt. |
| James Anderson is back on. |
| 37.1 : J Anderson to Kohli, Back of a length outside off, Kohli doesn't flirt with danger. |
| 37.2 : J Anderson to Kohli, The shiny side is on the inside and Anderson generates some reverse on this. Kohli leans ahead and taps it through cover-point to rotate strike. |
| 37.3 : J Anderson to Rahane, Full length ball in the corridor, Ajinkya puts his head down and defends it calmly. |
| 37.4 : J Anderson to Rahane, Nicely done! On a good length outside off, straightens a touch after landing. Rahane waits for it and glides it towards third man for a brace. |
| 37.5 : J Anderson to Rahane, Anderson tries to bring the catching mid-wicket into play who has just moved in but ends up bowling this one down the leg side. Rahane easily works it through square leg for a single. |
| 37.6 : J Anderson to Kohli, Smart thinking from Anderson! Pitches on a good length around off and nips away a touch this time. Kohli shuffles a touch and defends it tentatively. |
| Time for Drinks! This has been an absorbing passage of play. Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli have done really well to see off this phase and have kept the scoreboard ticking as well. Moeen Ali was amidst a good spell but he couldn't breach past this pair. India need to keep up the good work while England will be aiming for a breakthrough. A tough tussle between bat and ball awaits. |
| 38.1 : A Rashid to Rahane, Slower through the air on off, Ajinkya leans ahead and defends it right under his nose. |
| 38.2 : A Rashid to Rahane, Tossed up around off, kept out watchfully. |
| 38.3 : A Rashid to Rahane, The wrong one from Rashid but it is going down the leg side. Turned with ease through square leg for a single. |
| 38.4 : A Rashid to V Kohli, Well played! Fuller in length around off, Kohli comes ahead and drills it towards mid off. Broad moves to his right, dives but fails to stop it cleanly. Jennings from mid on chases it down and slides near the fence to keep the batsmen down to three. |
| 38.5 : A Rashid to Rahane, Quick and flat on middle, Rahane hangs back and stonewalls it. |
| 38.6 : A Rashid to Rahane, On a shorter length, Rahane nails the pull towards deep square leg. Ali stationed there moves to his left and dives to make a great stop. A single taken. |
| 39.1 : J Anderson to Rahane, That was a good nut from Anderson! On a good length outside off, moves away little after landing. Rahane feels for it and almost edges it behind. |
| 39.2 : J Anderson to Rahane, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. They pick up a single. |
| 39.3 : J Anderson to Kohli, Good game awareness from the duo! Back of a length outside off, Virat dabs it towards third man and calls his partner through for the second run. He is running to the danger end as the throw from the deep hits the bull's eye. It is taken upstairs. The replay shows that the Indian skipper is easily in. He is lightning quick between the wickets. |
| There is a run out appeal against Kohli at the striker's end. A brilliant direct hit from the man in deep but Virat seems to be safe. |
| 39.4 : J Anderson to Kohli, Full length ball around off, Kohli comes forward and blocks it with authority. |
| 39.5 : J Anderson to Kohli, On a length outside off, steered to third man for a single. |
| 39.6 : J Anderson to Rahane, On a good length around off, Ajinkya shuffles a touch and stonewalls it. |
| 40.1 : A Rashid to Kohli, Short and outside off, kept out with ease off the back foot. |
| 40.2 : A Rashid to Kohli, Skids through after landing on the track, Kohli covers his off stump and makes a good leave. |
| 40.3 : A Rashid to Kohli, Rashid is bowling too quick for his team's liking. Kohli goes back and tucks it to the leg side with ease. |
| 40.4 : A Rashid to Kohli, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 40.5 : A Rashid to Kohli, Loopy delivery around off, Kohli puts his head down and blocks it nicely. |
| 40.6 : A Rashid to Kohli, A googly outside off, Kohli reads it correctly and places it towards point. |
| 41.1 : J Anderson to Rahane, Full length ball around off, Rahane reaches the pitch of the ball and defends it down the track. |
| 41.2 : J Anderson to Rahane, On a length outside off, played with an angled blade past the point region for a single. |
| 41.3 : J Anderson to Kohli, Anderson almost outfoxes Kohli there! That zone outside off is what Kohli needs to guard against. In the corridor of uncertainty, angled in initially but after landing, the ball nips away. Virat pokes at it and the ball whizzes past his outside edge. Jimmy needs to target that area consistently, he has tasted great success there. |
| 41.4 : J Anderson to Kohli, Good running! Kohli taps the short of a length ball towards gully and takes off and his partner responds nicely. A run taken. |
| 41.5 : J Anderson to Rahane, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 41.6 : J Anderson to Rahane, On a good length on middle, worked around the corner for a single. |
| 42.1 : A Rashid to Rahane, Rashid starts off the new over with a very full loopy delivery around off, Rahane comes forward and dead bats it. |
| 42.2 : A Rashid to Rahane, Slips in a googly this time but strays in his line. Rahane reads it early, goes back and tucks it round the corner for three runs. 100 up for India and it is met with a good cheer from the crowd. |
| 42.3 : A Rashid to Kohli, Floated around off, Kohli opens the bat face to glide it towards the point region and takes a single. |
| 42.4 : A Rashid to Rahane, A slower flighted delivery on middle and leg is flicked towards the square leg region for a single. |
| 42.5 : A Rashid to Kohli, Big appeal, but that is nowhere near being close. Kohli comes well forward to this flighted one outside off. It's the googly which misses Kohli's inside edge and raps him on the front pad. The Englishmen go up in unison but the umpire turns it down. Replays show that the impact is way outside off. |
| 42.6 : A Rashid to V Kohli, Tossed up very full on off, Kohli crisply drives it to mid on and runs a quick single. |
| 43.1 : J Anderson to Kohli, A length ball on off is defended well by Kohli. The ball rolls down towards the mid-wicket region and the batsmen cross over for a single. |
| 43.2 : J Anderson to Rahane, Big appeal for LBW again. Jimmy asking questions here. Keeps it on a fuller length just around off, Rahane shuffles a bit and comes forward looking to block it away but the ball hits the deck and nips back in sharply rapping him on his front pad. Jimmy and the slip cordon appeal loudly but the umpire answers in the negative. Replays roll in and the ball is seen missing the leg stump. |
| 43.3 : J Anderson to Rahane, Keeps it a bit short of a length around off, Rahane taps it neatly towards point for a single. |
| 43.4 : J Anderson to Kohli, Fuller and straighter, Kohli drives it to mid on. |
| 43.5 : J Anderson to Kohli, Anderson keeps it a bit wider of off, and Kohli shoulders arms. |
| 43.6 : J Anderson to Kohli, Kohli gets behind this back of a length delivery on off and taps it towards the cover-point region for a single. |
| 44.1 : M Ali to Kohli, Tossed up around off, Kohli comes forward and smothers the spin. |
| 44.2 : M Ali to Kohli, Moeen pulls his length back a bit, Kohli goes back and defends solidly. |
| 44.3 : M Ali to Kohli, A bit fuller outside off, Kohli leans forward and drives neatly towards covers for a single. |
| 44.4 : M Ali to Rahane, Rahane gets behind the line of this one and keeps it out. |
| 44.5 : M Ali to Rahane, Tossed up on middle and leg, Rahane comes forward and blocks it out. |
| 44.6 : M Ali to Rahane, Well bowled by Ali. He gives it a bit more air and keeps it on the off stump line. Rahane comes forward, takes the inward turn into account and dead-bats it nicely. |
| 45.1 : J Anderson to Kohli, Starts the new over with a length ball outside off, Kohli lets it be. The ball stayed low as it reaches Bairstow. |
| 45.2 : J Anderson to Kohli, Keeps it outside off, Kohli leaves it alone. |
| 45.3 : J Anderson to Kohli, Lands it on a length around off, Kohli confidently comes ahead and blocks it out. |
| 45.4 : J Anderson to Kohli, Anderson gets his line tighter and lands it on a middle and off line. Kohli watchfully defends it off the back foot. |
| 45.5 : J Anderson to Kohli, FOUR! Majestic Flick! That's the 19th Test fifty for the Indian Skipper and what an important one it is for his side. Jimmy attacks the stumps as he lands this on a bit shorter of a length on middle and leg line. Kohli lets the ball come to him and flicks it towards the deep square leg boundary for a superb boundary. raises his bat to the dressing room. India need him to go on. |
| 45.6 : J Anderson to Kohli, Keeps this on a length but just wife of the stumps. Kohli raise his bat to let that one go behind. |
| 46.1 : M Ali to Rahane, Tossed up ball around off, Rahane comes forward and blocks it nicely. |
| 46.2 : M Ali to Rahane, Rahane taps it towards cover-point and takes a quick run. |
| 46.3 : M Ali to Kohli, Shot! Tossed up on a fuller length outside off, Ajinkya drills it to sweeper cover to rotate strike. |
| 46.4 : M Ali to Rahane, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 46.5 : M Ali to Rahane, Strides ahead to the loopy ball and deals with it nicely. |
| 46.6 : M Ali to Rahane, Oohs and Aahs from the Englishmen! Spinning in sharply, some extra bounce there. Rahane fends it off just in front of the man at leg gully. That was not far away. |
| Ben Stokes comes into the attack. Can he break this stand? |
| 47.1 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Starts off with a fullish ball outside off, Kohli is not tempted into the drive. |
| 47.2 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, What a beauty! This is a Stokes special. He fires it into Kohli, lands it on a length and gets the ball to move away on landing. Kohli, seeing the initial line, looks to defend but the away movement beats his tentative push. Stokes has his hands on his head. |
| 47.3 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Just a bit wider of off, that is enough for Kohli to let it go. |
| 47.4 : Ben Stokes to Kohli,Wider of off and Kohli has nothing to do with it. |
| 47.5 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Stokes lands this on a bit shorter of a good length around off, Kohli goes back and defends from within the crease. |
| 47.6 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Ends the over with a fullish delivery, angling in but just outside off, Kohli shoulders arms. |
| 48.1 : M Ali to Rahane, Ali starts off a new spell with a loopy one on off. Rahane does well to come forward and smother the spin. |
| Kohli and Rahane are batting really well at the moment. England need to break this stand quickly or else the game will slip away from them. |
| 48.2 : M Ali to Rahane, Rahane comes ahead and dead-bats this fuller one on off. |
| 48.3 : M Ali to Rahane, Similar delivery is dealt with similarly by the Indian vice-captain. |
| 48.4 : M Ali to Rahane, Rahane sees that the length is a bit shorter on this one and he rocks back and across, turns it with the spin towards the square leg region for a single. |
| 48.5 : M Ali to Kohli, Ali floats it on the off stump line, Kohli hangs in his crease and keeps it out. |
| 48.6 : M Ali to Kohli, Tossed up full on off, Kohli leans forward and wrists it into the mid-wicket region and they take a brace. |
| 49.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Lands this on a length in line with the stumps. Rahane waits for the ball to arrive and blocks it under his eye-line.. |
| 49.2 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, A bit fuller by Stokes on the middle and off line, Rahane defends with a straight bat. |
| 49.3 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Pulls the length back a bit and keeps it a bit oputside off, Rahane hangs back in his crease, opens the bat face and takes a single in the point region. |
| 49.4 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Stokes lands this on back of a length a bit wider of off, Kohli lets it go past. |
| 49.5 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, FOUR! And the hundred run stand comes up and India need another 123 runs to win. Stokes strays in his line as he fires this on a length on Kohli's pads, Virat comes inside the line of the ball and tucks it away very fine to beat the man at deep fine leg to pick up another boundary. The Indian pair marches on. Kohli is the fastest to complete 4000 Test runs as captain. |
| 49.6 : Ben Stokes to Kohli, Too wide of off to entice Kohli into9 a shot. |
| 50.1 : M Ali to Rahane, LBW appeal turned down by the umpire. Ali tosses this one outside off, Rahane comes forward to defend but is struck on his front pad. England appeal but the umpire declines instantly as he is hit way outside the line of the off stump. |
| 50.2 : M Ali to Rahane, Ali pulls his length back a bit, Rahane goes back and turns it with the spin towards square leg for a single. |
| 50.3 : M Ali to Kohli, Kohli flicks this full and straight ball to the fine leg fielder. No run taken. |
| 50.4 : M Ali to Kohli, Loopy delivery on middle and leg, Kohli turns it away into the leg side. |
| This can be the turning point in this game. Kohli has been caught by Cook at short leg. He walks across gingerly to Rahane and decides to challenge the decision. His body language is not that good though. Are we in for a surprise? |
| 50.5 : Ali to V Kohli, OUT! Massive, massive moment in the game! The Indian captain falls. Ali has done the trick for the home team. Tosses this up just around the off stump line. Kohli comes forward to block it away. The ball lands, grips, bounces and turns viciously to take the Indian skipper's inside edge onto his pads and in the direction of the short leg fielder where Cook happily accepts it. England appeal unanimously and Dharmasena obliges immediately. Kohli is scene confused as he point |
| Hardik Pandya comes out to bat. He has been promoted ahead of Rishabh Pant. |
| 50.6 : M Ali to Pandya, Ali floats this one fuller on off, Pandya comes ahead and keeps it out. |
| 51.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Wide. |
| Ben Stokes to Rahane, Stokes keeps it outside off, Rahane shoulders arms. |
| 51.2 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Lands it on a good length around off, Rahane blocks it out off the front foot. |
| 51.3 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Stokes pulls his length back and keeps it just outside off, Rahane taps it towards the point region. |
| 51.4 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Stokes strays on Rahane's pads who flicks this one towards square leg for a single. |
| 51.5 : Ben Stokes to Pandya, Beaten! Peach from Stokes. Lands this on off and gets it to straighten. Pandya looking to defend it gets beaten by the away movement. |
| 51.6 : Ben Stokes to Pandya, Similar delivery and Pandya gets beaten again. Stokes looks frustrated as he bowls a beauty but still does not get rewarded. Pandya survives but just. |
| 52.1 : M Ali to Rahane, Tossed up around off, defended towards short leg. |
| 52.2 : M Ali to Rahane, Straighter this time, Ajinkya camps back and keeps it out. |
| 52.3 : M Ali to Rahane, Slower through the air on middle, Rahane taps it behind towards leg slip. |
| 52.4 : M Ali to Rahane, Shorter in length, spinning in, turned around the corner for a single. |
| 52.5 : M Ali to Pandya, Tossed up around off, Pandya comes forward and blocks it. |
| 52.6 : M Ali to Pandya, On a flatter trajectory, Pandya hangs back and blocks it nicely. THAT'S TEA ON DAY 4! |
| Session Highlights - 33 overs, 80 runs, 1 wicket. It has been India's passage of play but the wicket of Kohli just at the stroke of the interval has provided England a huge boost. However, it was a classic fifty from the Indian skipper and he has given his side more than a chance to chase this target down. Ajinkya Rahane is still out there and is looking solid as a rock. If the home side manage to dismiss him soon, the odds might tilt in their favour. Having said all this, the tourists hold the |
| ... Day 4, Final Session ... |
| We are back. Rahane and Pandya will continue, looking to narrow down the deficit as much as possible from the 119 remaining. Ben Stokes has the ball in his hand. Two slips positioned for him. |
| 53.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Rahane runs it down third man for a single. |
| 53.2 : Ben Stokes to Pandya, Short of a good length on off, not giving Pandya any room, he can only stay back and keep it down on the track. |
| Pandya has been caught behind in the slips but the umpire wants to make sure if the catch is taken cleanly or not. The soft signal is out. |
| 53.3 : Ben Stokes to H Pandya, OUT! Clean as a whistle! No doubt about it one bit. Good catch by skipper Joe Root at second slip. Stokes angles in a length ball on middle and off, it angles in at first and then straightens up just enough to take the outside edge of Hardik Pandya's bat. Flies behind where Root goes low to his right and takes it. Hardik hangs around, wants the umpire to check it upstairs and replays show it's all good for England. India slip a little further. The hosts need just 5 |
| Rishabh Pant walks in next to bat. |
| 53.4 : Ben Stokes to Pant, From around the wicket now, it's hurled in the channel outside off on a length, Pant lets it be. |
| 53.5 : Ben Stokes to Pant, Throws it further outside off, another good leave. |
| 53.6 : Ben Stokes to R Pant, FOUR! Avoids the pair. This is the intent with which Pant should play. That's a good, positive shot. Fuller and angling in, the southpaw flicks it neatly through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| Moeen Ali to bowl from the other end. |
| 54.1 : M Ali to Rahane, Spinning in from the rough from around off, Rahane comes forward to block, goes across a bit too but misses and is caught on the pads. |
| 54.2 : M Ali to Rahane, Turning in, this time he goes inside the crease and keeps it out. |
| 54.3 : M Ali to Rahane, Works it off his pads and turns it on the leg side for a single. |
| 54.4 : M Ali to Pant, SIX! Takes the attack to Moeen Ali and gets the desired result. Sweet connection from Rishabh Pant. Uses his feet to dance down, gets close to the pitch and smokes it downtown for a biggie. Safest places to take the aerial route. Excellent. |
| 54.5 : M Ali to Pant, Sensible stuff. Shows he isn't being reckless. Slower through the air on middle and off, it goes off the inner half on the leg side for a single. |
| 54.6 : M Ali to Rahane, The off break outside off, Rahane uses the depth of the crease to go back and work it through backward square leg for a run. Moves to 47 with that. |
| 55.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Coming in first before seaming away off the deck, Rahane comes forward and makes a watchful leave. |
| 55.2 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Good length delivery on the fourth stump line, a hint of movement away, Rahane taps it down on the off side. |
| 55.3 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Pushes this towards backward point off the back foot. |
| 55.4 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Going away again, from a good length and outside off, left alone. |
| 55.5 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Makes it come back in this time, on middle and leg, Rahane does well to lean across and wrist it behind square leg. Calls for the second and gets it too. Nicely done. |
| 55.6 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Solid in defense. Jinx meets the length ball with the full face of the bat and taps it down in front of covers. |
| 56.1 : M Ali to Pant, Loud shout for a leg before and it's turned down. Impact outside off again. Quite full from Moeen, Pant kneels down to sweep and misses it. Dangerous shot to play to that length and he's caught around the body, but outside the line. Good call. |
| 56.2 : M Ali to Pant, Better. Driven this full delivery through the cover area and gets to the other end. |
| 56.3 : M Ali to Rahane, Tosses it right up there, around off, Rahane defends this off the inner half to short leg. |
| 56.4 : M Ali to Rahane, Spinning in from a shorter length, Ajinkya is on the back foot as he punches it back in the bowler's direction. |
| 56.5 : M Ali to Rahane, Fifty for Ajinkya Rahane! His 14th in this format. He's deserved every bit of this milestone, has been flawless till now. Needless to say he's the foundation of India's potential victory, so has to keep going along as he is. He goes back and works this past short leg for a single. |
| 56.6 : M Ali to Pant, The deficit is now in the double digits. Just 99 needed to win for the visiting side. Pant leans ahead and flicks this through mid-wicket. Big gap out there, so the man in the deep takes a while to get to the ball. Amidst all this, both batsmen rush and take the second run as well. |
| 57.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 57.2 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Short of a good length outside off, punched off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 57.3 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Rahane is watchful as he sees the ball landing outside off, so has nothing to do with it. |
| 57.4 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 57.5 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Back of a length, cramping the batsman for room. Ajinkya Rahane stays back and defends it down on the track. |
| 57.6 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Full and swinging away from outside off, can't get Rahane to play at it. |
| 58.1 : M Ali to Pant, A little too full than Moeen would have liked, allows Pant to come forward and defend before the ball can even turn. |
| 58.2 : M Ali to Pant, FOUR! This is what India would want from Pant. 'Constructive hitting', as Michael Holding on air states. Beautiful. Picks his spot well. It's looped up on the stumps, the southpaw takes a step out and blasts it over mid off, beating the man in the deep. |
| 58.3 : M Ali to R Pant, Turning away from around off, played off the outer half towards short third man. |
| 58.4 : M Ali to Pant, OUT! One shot too many from Rishabh Pant and he's paid the price for it. Moeen Ali gives this more air and bowls it full around off, Pant once again steps out and looks for the big one. Lofts it over covers but there's a man there this time. Alastair Cook runs in and takes a good catch. Moeen, like in the first innings, dismisses the Indian wicket-keeper batsman again. Still 95 left to win. |
| Ravichandran Ashwin is the next batsman in. |
| 58.5 : M Ali to Ashwin, Full on the stumps, Ashwin drives it back to the bowler. |
| 58.6 : Ali to Ashwin, Another needless appeal. Looped up outside off, Ashwin comes forward and across to block but is caught on the front pad. Impact clearly outside off. Nevertheless, end of a successful over from Moeen Ali. |
| 59.1 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Good length delivery close to the off stump, pushed gently on the off side. |
| 59.2 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Angling back in on the hips, Rahane turns it through the vacant square leg position for one run. |
| 59.3 : Ben Stokes to Ashwin, Just the one. Good work from Jonny Bairstow out in the deep. Ashwin taps this length ball down to third man. Jonny moves swiftly to his left and cuts it off, keeping the batsmen to just the one. |
| 59.4 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Just behind a length, outside off, blocked from inside the crease. |
| 59.5 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Shortish in length, on the stumps, pushed back down the track off the back foot. |
| 59.6 : Ben Stokes to Rahane, Outside off on a good length, no shot offered to end the over. |
| 60.1 : M Ali to Ashwin, Tossed up outside off, Ravi Ashwin walks out and defends. |
| 60.2 : M Ali to Ashwin, Pushed quicker through the air around off, it's worked away to short mid-wicket. |
| 60.3 : M Ali to Ashwin, Quick, flat and short outside off, moves across and defends it down with soft hands. |
| 60.4 : M Ali to Ashwin, Extremely full outside off, driven neatly to sweeper cover for a comfortable single. |
| The review is taken. No other choice either. Ajinkya Rahane is caught leg before and given out. He seems to be gone. Let's see here... |
| 60.5 : M Ali to Rahane, OUT! Rahane is gone! Moeen Ali making all the difference yet again here. India, from being favourites, are staring down the barrel and this match could get over today itself. The offie lands it in the rough and it spins in a long way from outside off. Rahane goes deep inside the crease to work it on the leg side but is caught in front of the stumps. Big appeal and the finger goes up. The batsman reviews, as expected, and it's taken upstairs. Replays show three reds and tha |
| Ishant Sharma is the new man in to bat. |
| 60.6 : M Ali to Sharma, Sharma plays this with the spin and turns it away towards short mid-wicket. |
| 61.1 : Ben Stokes to Ashwin, Angling in on middle and leg, flicked away into the gap on the leg side for a single. |
| 61.2 : Ben Stokes to Sharma, Stays back and keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 61.3 : Ben Stokes to Sharma, Short of a good length, quite close to off, Ishant plays it out from within the crease. |
| 61.4 : Ben Stokes to Sharma, Outside off, Sharma withdraws his bat and lets it pass. |
| 61.5 : Ben Stokes to Sharma, OUT! Stokes strikes! The decision could be a bit dubious, but no reviews left so the umpire's call stays. Shaping back in on middle and leg, Sharma goes across to work it across the line and is caught on the pads. The finger follows after the appeal and Ishant has to walk back. Height might could have been an issue, but we'll never know. England 2 wickets away from a series victory. |
| Mohammed Shami to bat next. |
| 61.6 : Ben Stokes to Shami, FOUR! Well played! Width offered outside off, a touch shorter in length, Shami cuts it hard through point for a boundary. |
| 62.1 : M Ali to Ashwin, Loopy off break outside off, driven through the covers for a run. |
| 62.2 : M Ali to Shami, The straighter one outside off, Shami picks it up and blocks. |
| 62.3 : M Ali to Shami, Quicker through the air on the stumps, pushed back down the track. |
| 62.4 : M Ali to Shami, Shami slogs this across the line. Clears the infield over mid-wicket and crosses over. |
| 62.5 : M Ali to Ashwin, Spinning in on off, Ashwin moves across his stick and flicks it in front of square leg for nothing. |
| 62.6 : M Ali to Ashwin, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 63.1 : Ben Stokes to Shami, Back of a length in line of the stumps, pushed tamely square towards point. |
| 63.2 : Ben Stokes to Shami, Full and pitched outside off, room to swing his arms and Shami does just that. Looks to clear Southampton by going big downtown, only to connect with thin air. Stokes turns around and has a laugh as he walks back to his run-up. |
| 63.3 : Ben Stokes to Shami, Outside the line of off stump, a play and a miss from the batsman. |
| 63.4 : Ben Stokes to Shami, Short of a length delivery close to off, another defensive shot presented in response. |
| 63.5 : Ben Stokes to M Shami, A short delivery which has been pulled away. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 63.6 : Ben Stokes to Ashwin, Ashwin shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 64.1 : M Ali to Shami, High but won't go all the way. Ali bowls this full and on the stumps, Shami lofts it over the bowler's head. It lands safety and they take couple of runs. |
| 64.2 : M Ali to Shami, OUT! One shot too many and Shami has to walk back. Nothing wrong with the intent but finds the man in the deep. Similar ball on middle, Shami once again charges down the pitch and lofts it over mid on. Anderson from the deep runs in and takes the catch. England need just one more wicket to win the game and the series. |
| Jasprit Bumrah is the last man in. |
| 64.3 : M Ali to Ashwin, Good shot from Ashwin. Uses his feet and lofts this over mid-wicket. The fielder from deep square leg runs to his left and keeps it to two. |
| 64.4 : M Ali to Ashwin, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 64.5 : M Ali to Ashwin, On middle and leg, Ashwin flicks it to square leg. |
| 64.6 : M Ali to Ashwin, Ravi Ash plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total. |
| 65.1 : Ben Stokes to Ashwin, FOUR! Full and outside off, Ashwin sees the gap and cuts it through cover-point for a good looking boundary. There were two men in the deep but he bisects them both. |
| 65.2 : Ben Stokes to Ashwin, Back of a length ball outside off, Ashwin taps it to the off side. |
| 65.3 : Ben Stokes to Ashwin, Bangs this short down the leg side, Ashwin looks to hoick it but misses. An appeal which eventually dies down from the English players. |
| 65.4 : Ben Stokes to Ashwin, Outside off, cut past point for a run to give Bumrah the strike. |
| 65.5 : Ben Stokes to Bumrah, Full and on middle, Bumrah plays it with a straight bat. |
| 65.6 : Ben Stokes to Bumrah, Full and outside off, Bumrah leaves it alone. |
| Final Drinks break of this game. Game is more or less over, just a matter of time. England need only 1 wicket to win and it could come on the very next ball itself. |
| 66.1 : M Ali to Ashwin, Flights it up around off, on a driving length, Ashwin is well forward in defense. |
| 66.2 : M Ali to Ashwin, Really slow through the air and almost beats Ashwin in the flight. The batsman manages to drive it off the inner half with one hand towards mid on. |
| 66.3 : M Ali to Ashwin, Kneels down and plays the sweep shot to square leg. |
| 66.4 : M Ali to Ashwin, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 66.5 : M Ali to Ashwin, FOUR! That's a very smart shot from Ashwin. Moves across the stumps, sees there's nobody out there so kneels down and sweeps it over the leg side. Easy boundary. 70 more to win for India. |
| 66.6 : M Ali to Ashwin, Almost got out! Ashwin kneels forward and across to play the scoop shot and mistimes it horribly. Lobs it just in front of the diving short mid-wicket fielder, who tries everything he had to get his palms underneath it. |
| Sam Curran back on. |
| 67.1 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, Comes running in from around the wicket and angles it in from outside off, Bumrah shoulders arms to it. |
| 67.2 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, Full and angling in around off, Bumrah initially wants to play at it but decides to let it be at the last second. |
| 67.3 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, Cutting back in, around off, kept out square on the off side. |
| 67.4 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, Opens his body up and pushes this full ball square to point. |
| 67.5 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 67.6 : Sam Curran to Bumrah, Takes the pace off this one and deceives Bumrah. He swivels to help the pull but gets an under edge behind to the keeper on the bounce. |
| 68.1 : M Ali to Ashwin, Brings out the reverse sweep and places it square through the off side. Will pick up a couple of runs for doing so. |
| 68.2 : M Ali to Ashwin, Full and loopy outside off, gets close to the pitch and blocks. |
| 68.3 : M Ali to Ashwin, Stays right behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 68.4 : M Ali to Ashwin, Works it with the spin towards mid-wicket. |
| 68.5 : M Ali to Ashwin, SIX! That's a mighty blow from Ravi Ashwin. He skips down the track, gets close to the pitch of the ball and launches it high and handsome over long on. Anderson is only a spectator as he watches the ball sail over his head. |
| 68.6 : M Ali to Ashwin, Spinning in from a shorter length, Ashwin waits for the ball to come to him, backs away and cuts it down towards third man for a single. |
| 69.1 : Sam Curran to R Ashwin, Full in length and fired just outside off, Ashwin looks to hit it through the off side but gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 69.2 : Sam Curran to Ashwin, Dropped! But a good try from Anderson. Length ball wide outside off, Ashwin looks to loft it over point. Anderson there leaps, sticks his left hand out but can't keep a hold of it. Tough chance. |
| 69.3 : Sam Curran to Ashwin, A bit short, slapped off the back foot to mid off. |
| 69.4 : Sam Curran to Ashwin, OUT! That's it. The inevitable has happened as Sam Curran, fittingly, plucks the final wicket. He comes running in from around the wicket and fires in a fuller length delivery on middle and leg, Ashwin moves across to flick it away but is caught low on the pads. A big appeal goes up and after a little nod from the umpire, so does the finger. The English team celebrates, smiles and handshakes all around. ENGLAND WIN BY 60 RUNS! |
| So the final nail in the coffin has been hammered and the hosts take the series, leading 3-1 now. This entire Test match has been terrific all around, with the players' skill with both bat and ball being tested. Although, the difference-maker, it could be argued, was the contribution from the lower middle order of both teams. You could say England's contributed more, in particular, Sam Curran's role, which changed the game. |
| England were on the back foot with the top and middle order once again rolled over rather early. But vital contributions from Ali and Curran took England to a respectable total. Then when India came out to bat, all more or less failed, and had it not been for Pujara's classy ton, the match would have been over much earlier. He kept his side alive and competing in the Test. |
| Come the third innings, England faltered at the top yet again, but Buttler, Stokes and the young boy Curran once again played their role to perfection and posted a massive target on the board for India. It was never going to be easy with the wicket turning so much, but despite losing their top order early, the tourists were actually on top till Kohli and Rahane were at the crease. Though, the moment their century stand was broken, the writing was more or less on the wall. Ali decimated the remai |
| This contest will have plenty of talking points, but one more than any other would stand out. Should India have gone with two spinners as well given the nature of the pitch? And also, Ashwin's underwhelming performance seriously dented their chances as he fully couldn't exploit the conditions like Moeen Ali. A deserving win for Joe Root's England, they've nicked the vital moments and stood up when it mattered. |
| Sam Curran and Ben Stokes are caught for a chat. Curran says that he is happy to contribute with the win. On his batting he says that he was trying to play his natural game like he does for Surrey. Ends saying that he was just enjoying the occasion. Ben Stokes gives credit to all the players. Mentions that the third innings was special. Continues saying that he put all the demons off his mind and looked to spend time in the middle. |
| India captain, Virat Kohli, says England did really well to set the target they did. Applauds them for using the spinning conditions on offer to the fullest. Reckons his side didn't make too many mistakes, but the English team was relentless and deserves the credit for the win. Mentions that he never thought if the partnership between him and Rahane was broken it would be a problem, but no partnerships before and after that is a problem. Once again states that England put the pressure when the p |
| England captain, Joe Root, says that Sam Curran has been superb throughout the series, so is excited for him and the team. States that the pressure is welcome and that his team knows how to handle it, so is proud of the boys. Informs that hitting the deck hard and just applying the pressure was the key, as that one ball can change the game completely. Adds that they would like to carry the intensity from this game forward. On Moeen Ali, he happily says that the experience from different places h |
| Man of the Match, Moeen Ali, says he's missed Test cricket and it's great to come back. Mentions that he needed a little break to rejuvenate and is happy he got that. Specifies that going back to County Cricket really helped, as when watching his national side teammates playing he felt like he wanted to make a comeback and that helped him appreciate Test cricket more. Feels like he's getting better with each passing day and just wants to continue with that. On batting at no.3, he mentions he was |
| That's all we have for you, folks! Another Test which gets done within four days. England win the series as they take a 3-1 lead. After a long series, we finally come to the last match of it. The action moves to Kennington Oval, London. That game too will begin at 1100 local (1000 GMT). Do join in for the farewell game of the tour. Even though the series is lost, Virat Kohli said they will give it their all, so you don't want to miss it. Until next time, cheers! |
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