[NPV]

England have a lead of 27 and a huge psychological advantage, India will definitely need to play a good second innings, a collapase and it will be England's game.

Joe Root, take a bow. India just gave up on trying to get him out!

Also, India conceded 30+ extras, this can make a huge difference if this ends closely. In fact without those runs, India would have ended with a small lead

[landcruiser123]

As much as I'm a fan of both Pujara and Rahane, I think the clock has started ticking for both. With Gill showing promise, KL Rahul grabbing his chances, and Vihari waiting to be rewarded for his heroics, the positions are going to be hotly contested if Pujara and Rahane don't do anything noteworthy this series.

Rahane has given up his compact technique and discipline to leave the ball for better white ball success. In the bargain, he's neither here nor there.

[hemanth.anand]

How beautifully this game is poised. The lead of 27 runs is actually not a big one. The 4th day would be the best batting day and India have got it. They've to get a good score and quickly. This "quickly" is where England have their opportunity. To grab ot from India.

Siraj deserved that 5th wicket. He had Root but it went Root's way from the umpire. But that doesn't take anything away from the wonderful innings of Root. He almost single handed carried his team past India's total.

Pujara and Rahane need to get some runs now and Bumrah and Shami must stop those no balls. Too many free runs and wicketa being given away.

[NPV]

Today by lunch/stumps we will know if this test will go the WTC final way (easy English 4th inning chase and win) or like the previous test giving England and India a fair chance for a win on day 5, for this we need to set a target of 250-300.

Double edged sword for India though since they need to score runs at good pace while holding on to key wickets.

[PPS]

Hope Team India don't go in for an ultra aggressive approach in the 1st session today! Pitch is still flat with the odd ball keeping low, the sun being out should help our batting which has been struggling in the middle order.

Our over-rate will never improve with 4 pacers & now with WTC points being deducted, sooner or later team management will be forced to play 3 pacers + 2 spinners.

[comfortablynumb]

Rahul gone. With the form Pujara, Kohli and Rahane are in, I seriously doubt we will be able to draw this test, forget winning. Only hope is if Rohit or Pant play a blinder.

Oh well, stranger things have happened.

EDIT: Rohit gone

[NPV]

The story is unfolding already, India 27-2 with both openers out. Effectively 2 wickets down for zero because of England's 27 run lead

[VWAllstar]

Possibly Kohli's disappointing form continues. He need to come out and play positively and put up few centuries in the next few test matches.

Rahane & Pujara need to play out of their skin to save this test match for India. We would need a minimum 280 runs to put up a fight. Anything over 280 would be like a bonus considering the form of Pujara & Rahane.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

Rahane & Pujara need to play out of their skin to save this test match for India. We would need a minimum 280 runs to put up a fight. Anything over 280 would be like a bonus considering the form of Pujara & Rahane.

I wish that happens and I'd be the happiest if it does. Being a bit pragamtic, given the current form of these players I have my own doubts. It's going to be a very tough situation today and a herculean task for India to get those many runs.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by NPV

I wish that happens and I'd be the happiest if it does. Being a bit pragamtic, given the current form of these players I have my own doubts. It's going to be a very tough situation today and a herculean task for India to get those many runs.

The option to just bat out the entire day is also not a possibility. Its like a do or die situation for ChePu & Jinx now. We may have a result by tea time on Day 5.

I hope they dont let Shaw open and push KL Rahul down to 5 in the next test match. Surely we would see some changes though. Ashwin & Vihari may get an opportunity to play.

[NPV]

Lunch to tea was a decent session for us but we're still not out of the woods - not yet in a situation where we can save the game let alone winning, but just happy we didn't lose more wickets.
At times I felt England's tactics were like the Aussies when they tried to intimidate the batsman with short pitch bowling and always bowling lines outside the stumps, we saw how that backfired for the Aussies against India.
Saw couple of English fielders knock the ball around with the feet, it looked like they did try to deliberately use the boot spikes to roughen the ball, hope the matcch referee noted that.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

I hope they dont let Shaw open and push KL Rahul down to 5 in the next test match. Surely we would see some changes though. Ashwin & Vihari may get an opportunity to play.

I don't think the opening partnership will be tinkered with for rest of the series, barring injury.

Vihari may come in for Pujara, unless Kohli insists again for players who can "express themselves, show intent & take the game ahead", in which case SKY may get a look in.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by NPV

Lunch to tea was a decent session for us but we're still not out of the woods - not yet in a situation where we can save the game let alone winning, but just happy we didn't lose more wickets.

At this rate, we are only awaiting the inevitable. Scoring at a rate below 2 is going to be detrimental considering we only have Pant and Jadeja to bat.

Kohli has come and sat besides the coaches and surely during Tea, they must have discussed to play with minimum 3.5 RR to be in the match.

Originally Posted by Eddy

I don't think the opening partnership will be tinkered with for rest of the series, barring injury.

Vihari may come in for Pujara, unless Kohli insists again for players who can "express themselves, show intent & take the game ahead", in which case SKY may get a look in.

ChePu and Jinx are playing vigilantly, fingers crossed for both to take India to atleast 250. They know if they dont bail us out in this match then their participation in the next test is going to be ambiguous.

SKY is in a good form however I am not sure if he is as good in Test Cricket as he is in Limited overs.

Quite strange but we dont have a good bench strength for Test Cricket. Apart from Pujara and Ajinkya, I cannot think of anyone who is a specialist test batsman. As said by someone in earlier post, Ajinkya is trying to get into limited over by tweeking his game which is leading him to be neither here nor there.

[Carmine_pepper]

with pujara gone. its time for the make or break innings from Pant.. the good thing about pant is we will know it shortly either way .

[Emvi]

Meanwhile, West Indies are totterring at 24/3 against Pakistan, chasing 168 for victory in the 4th innings of the Sabina Park test.