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Playing Ishant instead of Siraj is an error I feel. If Nadeem can play ahead of Kuldeep then Siraj too deserves a chance. Let's see what happens in next test.

Probably it's safer to say that England have been the best touring team in the sub continent. and Root arguably the best non asian batsman against spin on sub continent pitches.
We need to bowl well today in order to make anything good out of this test. Let's not forget, we are going to bat last against Archer and Anderson.

The pitch doesn't seem to be doing anything special for the bowlers, the bowling just needs to be precise and hope for the batsmen to make errors.

Credit to Root & Sibley for the way they frustrated the bowlers and at the same time kept the score board ticking. Is Root on the way to a double century ?

*I was hoping the "accidental" curator of the pitch Ramesh would prepare something that would help the bowlers, especially spinners at least from Day 3 - Link

Stokes out finally, but this now looks like an English total of 500-600 in the first innings, will need a stellar batting performance in reply to save the game or stay in the game!

2 reviews lost in the first session, couple of tough/half chances dropped, could prove to be costly, fingers crossed.

Was just about to start watching Wanda Vision. ChePu almost dropped it. Some drama finally. This match is 70:30 tilted towards England right now.

You have a pitch that doesnt help bowlers for 2 days and then starts breaking up. So the team batting first will have a advantage.

I expect some our batsmen to score big with Rohit Sharma leading the way or fold up not being able to play spin. What if we lose the game and Kohli for some reason not play the next test ? But we win that rl:

This match has been a snoozefest just cos we can't prepare a pitch which can assist bowlers to an extent. That's why SENA matches are more entertaining cos pitches provides balance between bat and ball. Won't blame any bowler when such pitches are provided by Bcci. Unless Indian batsman forget to bat this match will end in a draw. England will make 600+ and we will follow the same pattern. After Australia series this is such a damp start.

I think batting last on this pitch would be difficult. SO, we need to get close to their total, meaning also bat 2-ish days

And our guys have been in the hot sweltering and humid Chennai weather chasing leather for 160 overs already. What a boring match it’s been so far. This pitch just takes out the splendid bat vs ball battles that we witness at different stages of a test match.

Lets see how much we score in the first innings. This one is crawling to a draw.

I remember reading that the curator of this pitch is a rookie and this is his first international assignment.

And it's sad that the second test is also gonna happen here. It was disheartening to see India lose to Pakistan here two decades back. Hopefully the new stadium in Ahmedabad offers an entertaining wicket. Last time India won the test against England, but that pitch was a belter too.

We need to win a minimum of 2 tests in this series to qualify for the WTC final. That's already looking like a tall order.

Apart from winning the 2 tests we need to ensure that the England doesn't win the other 2. In other words the series series must not be tied.

I don’t see any result other than a draw or an England win.

Edit-
India need to push the scoring when they bat and give themselves three or four sessions on day 5 to fashion a win.
Assuming India’s batsmen don’t get bowled out for 36, that is :-P

If the English team continues till about lunch, and score close to 600, this match could end on day 4, if we effect the great Indian collapserl:

PS: Our team always struggling in the 1st test, BCCI should ensure with ICC that our series must start with the 2nd test:Frustrati

To improve the morale, at least we need to finish off the English tail quickly this morning. It will be a psychological advantage if they declare the innings.
Root's plan clearly seems to be to score 600+ and try and get India out twice by enforcing a follow on.

On a lighter note, maybe we should just let the English tailenders bat most of the day today ? rl: