[Lij]

62/4, Root and Cook gone, Bairstow injured and a target of 521, I think its safe to now say that its just a formality now to complete the win. I hope England doesn't make me eat my words

[suhaas307]

176/4. Wicketless session after lunch. Buttler and Stokes are looking good out there. We've lost both reviews(?), and the conditions look even better for batting after Tea.

Even the injured Bairstow is all padded up and ready to take the crease, it appears.

I would still say a win for England is unlikely. And it doesn't seem like they're playing for a draw.

The key for England now is their ability to negotiate the reverse swinging ball. The new ball is due half way through the last session for the day. If India don't pick up any wickets in the next session, it's going to be quite a contest!

[vibbs]

Yes a wicket less final session and this game is on!!
With around 250 to get and 6 wickets in hand final day will get quite interesting. With the weather as it was today, I would say then England would well fancy their chances as well!!

[Chetan_Rao]

A win still seems unlikely, but England have a good opportunity to make this a respectable chase and get some batters into form.

[msdivy]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

A win still seems unlikely, but England have a good opportunity to make this a respectable chase and get some batters into form.

A day's & a third cricket (120 overs) is still left to get 6 wickets . There were many close chances and a dropped catch which went England way.

[kavensri]

i am not saying that it is going to happen, but the problem with these kind of targets is, if they happen to play even 100 overs, they are going to win the match!

[hemanth.anand]

4 hours no wickets. 4 wickets in 20 mins. Changes the equation to 2 wicket in 12 overs.
Had it not been for Bumrah and his love affair with noballs, he wouldve taken one more and a Fiver by now

[NPV]

Originally Posted by kavensri

i am not saying that it is going to happen, but the problem with these kind of targets is, if they happen to play even 100 overs, they are going to win the match!

Score is 287/8 in 93 overs, almost 100 overs as you said. Target is 500+ and after almost 100 overs they've got just about little more than half the target

400+ is never easy for any team batting last anywhere in the world, fact. Exactly why those 3 wins chasing 400+ stand out.

[kavensri]

Originally Posted by NPV

Score is 287/8 in 93 overs, almost 100 overs as you said. Target is 500+ and after almost 100 overs they've got just about little more than half the target

400+ is never easy for any team batting last anywhere in the world, fact. Exactly why those 3 wins chasing 400+ stand out.

my comment was in response to previous post (reference to 120 overs). so i should have written it as 'another 100 overs'.
i know, it is almost impossible to score 520 runs in 100 overs in a 4th innings of a match, even if Australia are playing against Zimbabwe!

[samaspire]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

And it doesn't seem like they're playing for a draw.

Honestly, which batsman in the current era knows how to play for a draw like the yesteryears? Who wants to be "the wall" like Dravid? Nobody. Everyone is in attack mode from ball one. I doubt anyone today can make 12 runs in 96 balls, even if their life depended on it.

As for this match, it's just a matter of 'when?'.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by samaspire

Honestly, which batsman in the current era knows how to play for a draw like the yesteryears? Who wants to be "the wall" like Dravid? Nobody. Everyone is in attack mode from ball one. I doubt anyone today can make 12 runs in 96 balls, even if their life depended on it.

As for this match, it's just a matter of 'when?'.

Adverse effect of T20 leagues. But don't forget the marathon by the great ABD with his school buddy Faf. It still remains as the modern days epic test saving effort. And not to mention both are adept T20 players as well.

It is more of application. Our very own Pujara could be the next wall but everyone including the captain and coach criticize his strike rate. Not every one is Kohli.

[suhaas307]

Originally Posted by samaspire

Honestly, which batsman in the current era knows how to play for a draw like the yesteryears? Who wants to be "the wall" like Dravid? Nobody. Everyone is in attack mode from ball one. I doubt anyone today can make 12 runs in 96 balls, even if their life depended on it.

As for this match, it's just a matter of 'when?'.

I still remember Gambhir playing with an absolute dead bat in New Zealand and saving a match by forcing a draw.

On an unrelated note, I think it was Buttler who was dropped on 3 by Pant, who shuffled to his left before diving to his right and dropping a regulation chance.

Had he held on to it, England would have been staring at a 300 run defeat.

I hope they wrap things up in the first few overs today. With that drop catch and Bumrah's no-ball wicket, we should have wrapped things up by Tea.

India has to focus on leveling the test Series now.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by kavensri

my comment was in response to previous post (reference to 120 overs). so i should have written it as 'another 100 overs'.

Oops

Now, situation for England (favorable outcomes) is like:
England win if Rashid and Anderson score centuries OR

England salvages a draw if both remain unbeaten (with or without help from weather gods)

[Eddy]

Cricbuzz says 12% chances of rain today.

[Arjun Reddy]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Cricbuzz says 12% chances of rain today.

If it stays away for 15 mins we will be done and dusted with it.

If not for the Bhumra no- ball to Rashid, we would have wound up the match yesterday. These no-balls from Bhumra carry a big reputation now.: