Highlights, India vs England, 4th Test at Ahmedabad, Day 2, Full Cricket Score: Pant, Sundar help hosts take 89-run lead at stumps

After 94 overs,India 294/7 ( Washington Sundar 60 , Axar Patel 11)

Leach will bowl the final over of the day and it finishes as a maiden. Sundar and Axar would walk back to the pavilion as happy men. The English team look tired and worn out.

After 93 overs,India 294/7 ( Washington Sundar 60 , Axar Patel 11)

Bess almost got a wicket or two in the over. Sundar was given out for lbw, however, the decision was reversed after the review. There was an inside edge. Also, Sundar miscued a lofted drive but thankfully for him, it fell just ahead of Anderson who ran from mid-off to give it a chase. There was also an appeal for stumping but it also went in vain. Two from the over.

After 92 overs,India 292/7 ( Washington Sundar 58 , Axar Patel 11)

Leach continues. The spinners have put a brake on the scoring here. It looked easier to score against the pacers, maybe because it came onto the bat more easily. Just two from the over.

After 91 overs,India 290/7 ( Washington Sundar 57 , Axar Patel 10)

Bess continues. A good over from him. A tight one as the spinner avoids giving away any runs. He hasn’t been able to manage the expectations so far and that has emerged as a concern for the visitors.

After 90 overs,India 290/7 ( Washington Sundar 57 , Axar Patel 10)

Leach continues. Nine from the over. The spinner dragged one too much down the leg and gave away four byes. Another one was darted onto pads which Sundar swatted to the midwicket fence.

After 89 overs,India 281/7 ( Washington Sundar 56 , Axar Patel 6)

Bess has been asked to bowl from the other end. As has been the case with him, he ends up bowling a full toss. Sundar takes the opportunity for a drive down the ground and a boundary. He also collects a single on the last delivery. Five from the over.

After 88 overs,India 276/7 ( Washington Sundar 51 , Axar Patel 6)

Leach replaces Root in the attack. And after so many expensive overs, England manage to bowl a maiden over. India now lead by 71 runs. The new ball has not really worked for the pacers. England are now falling back to the spinners.

After 87 overs,India 276/7 ( Washington Sundar 51 , Axar Patel 6)

Stoke called back into the attack. Eight from the over. The discipline is missing and England seem to be ruing the fact that they opted to play an extra batsman in this Test. Meanwhile, Sundar brings up his fifty. Along with Pant’s ton, Sundar’s inning has been very critical in helping take back the control of the match.

After 86 overs,India 268/7 ( Washington Sundar 44 , Axar Patel 5)

Root continues. Pant has set the tone and no one wants to miss out. Axar sees an opportunity, hangs back, and plays the pull shot to the cow corner fence. Four from the over.

After 85 overs,India 264/7 ( Washington Sundar 44 , Axar Patel 1)

Pant’s innings comes to an end with a pull shot to the short midwicket. Anderson gets his revenge and Pant is furious with himself. But what a marvelous knock it has been. It has surely put India in control of this game. Five from the over with Sundar adding a boundary through a glorious backfoot punch.

OUT! Pant c Root b Anderson 101(118)

The entertainment is over. Anderson gets the wicket of Pant but the job is done. He came out to bat when India were in deep trouble but they are now 54 runs ahead. It was a short delivery and Pant was looking to clear the infield with the pull shot but could only find the short midwicket fielder.

After 84 overs,India 259/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 101 , Washington Sundar 40)

Can you believe it! After playing a reverse sweep against Anderson, Pant now brings up his Test century with a six. His first on the Indian soil. Third of his career. The innings has all the potential to become a match-winning knock. Seven from Root’s over. The lead is now past the 50-run mark. Ahmedabad is buzzing.

After 83 overs,India 252/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 94 , Washington Sundar 40)

We are still pinching ourselves. It’s difficult to believe that someone just played a reverse sweep for a boundary against Anderson. If ever there was shot for the ’new India’ it was this reverse sweep from Pant. Seven from Anderson’s over. Pant is inching closer to his hundred. The lead is nearing the 50-run mark.

After 82 overs,India 245/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 89 , Washington Sundar 38)

Root would need to think of something other than using Stokes here. The all-rounder is out of all the energy he had. 13 form this over with three boundaries. Pant got one through the long on while Sundar added two to his tally with some good looking shots on the off.

After 81 overs,India 232/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 84 , Washington Sundar 30)

Anderson has been called back into the attack as England take the new ball. And Pant gives both Anderson and the new ball the perfect welcome. He steps out on the very first delivery for a drive down the ground for a boundary. The next delivery is slapped on the off for another boundary. Anderson makes a comeback with a bouncer that becomes big on Pant forcing him to push back. Nine from the over.

After 80 overs,India 223/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 75 , Washington Sundar 30)

It’s a surprise that Stokes is continuing to bowl here. Expected him to take a mini-break after he bowled the beamer but Root has other ideas. Six from the over with Sundar finishing it with a drive down the ground that got India a boundary. The hosts now lead by 18 runs. The second new ball would now be available.

After 79 overs,India 217/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 74 , Washington Sundar 25)

Root has continued bowling from this end. Pant is now slowly releasing the handbrake here. Attempted a sweep shot and the top edge fetched him a boundary. Went for another sweep shot and nailed it to the square leg fence for another boundary. He was beaten on the last delivery which struck his pads. The umpire wasn’t interested but Root gave it a chance. It was wickets missing and England lose a review. Drinks break taken.

After 78 overs,India 209/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 66 , Washington Sundar 25)

Stokes continues. Pant collects two boundaries off the first three deliveries to level the scores. The first one was a result of a top edge as Pant slashed wide but it flew over the slip cordon. The second one was a well-controlled pull shot. Stokes also ended up bowling a beamer in the over. He is clearly out of all the steam. 12 from the over.  The good news is that India now lead by four runs.

After 77 overs,India 197/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 55 , Washington Sundar 25)

Leach has clearly underbowled today but Root is quite confident about his bowling as he continues to operate from the other end. And he does well with a maiden over. The new ball will available soon.

After 76 overs,India 197/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 55 , Washington Sundar 25)

The Pant-Sundar partnership has forced Root to call up Stokes into the bowling attack. We are still four overs away from the new ball and ideally, Root would have wanted his pacers to remain fresh but they look just a bit desperate here. One run from the over with Sundar taking a single.

After 75 overs,India 196/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 55 , Washington Sundar 24)

10 overs now for Root. Just a single from this one as Sundar punches one in front of square and that single also brings up the 50-run partnership between him and Pant, the first for India in the match. When Sundar came out to bat, the deficit stood at 59 and India were in deep trouble. The duo has steadied the ship and India now just trail by 9 runs.

After 74 overs,India 195/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 55 , Washington Sundar 23)

Leach continues. Expensive over from England. Seven runs came from it with Pant getting a boundary with his typical pick up shot on leg as the deficit comes down to 10.

After 73 overs,India 188/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 50 , Washington Sundar 21)

Root continues after the drinks break. Just one from the over as Sundar flicks one off the backfoot to the square leg. India now trail by 17 runs.

After 72 overs,India 187/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 50 , Washington Sundar 20)

Pant brings up his fifty. His seventh half-century and a very crucial one considering the context of the match. India need at least a draw in the match to reach the WTC final. Meanwhile, the replays show that the delivery which led to an appeal for lbw against Sundar in the last over was going over the leg stump. Two from Leach’s over.

After 71 overs,India 185/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 49 , Washington Sundar 19)

Root bowls his eighth over. Four from it with Sundar collecting a couple of doubles. He was also beaten on the inside edge on the last delivery. English players appealed a bit but decided against taking a review.

After 70 overs,India 181/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 49 , Washington Sundar 15)

Leach continues. Four runs from the over as Pant and Sundar continue to rotate the strike. There was a no ball as well. The field is spread and Indians are not having any problem collecting the singles.

After 69 overs,India 177/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 48 , Washington Sundar 13)

Root continues. Two from the over with a couple of singles. Pant and Sundar look content rotating the strike. It also doesn’t allow England to build pressure.

After 68 overs,India 175/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 47, Washington Sundar 112)

Root calls up Leach to replace Bess. Pant takes a single on the first delivery with a whip to cow corner. Sundar pulls one for a single and Pant adds another with a push to point.

After 67 overs,India 172/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 45, Washington Sundar 11)

Root continues. Pant gets a thick inside edge on the first delivery which rolls down to square leg for a single. Sundar plays out the remaining deliveries. Just one from the over.

After 66 overs,India 171/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 44 , Washington Sundar 11)

Another full toss from Bess but this time India could have done some damage to themselves. Sundar drove that to mid-off and Pant set off without assessing things, he was forced to rush back but the throw hit him on the back of his shoulders. Thankfully no damage was done. Sundar got a boundary on the last delivery with a lofted drive through covers. Five off the over.

After 65 overs,India 166/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 43 , Washington Sundar 7)

Root has got a big responsibility as a bowler here with Bess not finding his rhythm and the England captain has done well so far. Just one from this over in which Root also bowled a beauty to beat Sundar’s outside edge from around the wicket.

After 64 overs,India 165/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 42 , Washington Sundar 7)

Bess bowls from the other end. The bowler has had an issue with consistency and the freebies have allowed India to make a run-scoring start to the session. 10 runs from this over with Sundar swatting the full toss to midwicket fence and Pant driving the short delivery to the extra cover boundary.

After 63 overs,India 155/6 ( Rishabh Pant (W) 37 , Washington Sundar 2)

Pant takes a single on the first delivery of the session with an insideout drive to the covers. A single for Sundar as well and now India trail by 50 runs.

TEA, Day 2 (IND 153/6 after 62 overs)

England have come back into the game well. India still trail England by 52 runs. The hosts desperately need a partnership here if they want to cross England’s first innings total and gain a small lead. Three and two wickets in the first and second session respectively. The day thus far has been dominated by the visitors. Every bowler has chipped in barring Bess.

After 62 overs, IND 153/6 (Sundar 1, Pant 36)

Final over before tea and Bess with the ball. Huge appeal for LBW by Bess, Pant got into an awkward position as he tried to tuck the first delivery towards the leg side. Lost review for England eventually as the umpire’s call on hitting saved the left-hander eventually. Just one run off the over.

After 61 overs, IND 152/6 (Sundar 1, Pant 35)

Spin continues to operate in tandem as Root returns to the attack. Pant collects a brace off the second as India cross the 150-run mark. Three runs off the over.

After 60 overs, IND 149/6 (Sundar 1, Pant 32)

Bess returns to the attack. An opportunity here for the offie to pick up a few wickets and boost his confidence. After two dots, Pant comes down the track and powers the ball to long off. Sundar gets off the mark on the fourth delivery after cutting the ball for a single. Three runs off the over. India trail by 56 runs.

After 59 overs, IND 146/6 (Sundar 0, Pant 30)

Leach continues and he gets the breakthrough, removes Ashwin with a delivery that holds up after pitching. Ashwin has to walk back to the pavilion after handing an easy catch to Pope. Sundar joins Pant at the crease. Wicket maiden for Leach, brilliant over.

After 58 overs, IND 146/5 (Ashwin 13, Pant 30)

Bit of a mix up between the two batters off the fourth delivery, a direct hit at Pant’s end but the left-hander’s dive saves him on that occasion. Just one off the over.  The hosts trail by 59 runs.

After 57 overs, IND 145/5 (Ashwin 12, Pant 30)

Leach continues. Just one loose delivery in the over, the fifth, and Pant collected a boundary after playing a lovely backfoot punch. Pant flicks the final delivery and it hits the forward short leg fielder. Six runs off the over.

After 56 overs, IND 139/5 (Ashwin 11, Pant 25)

Another quiet over from Stokes, with Pant collecting a single off the third delivery. India trail by 66 runs.

After 55 overs, IND 138/5 (Ashwin 11, Pant 24)

Leach continues. Pant charges down the track, gets beaten in flight but still sneaks a single. Oh and an overthrow allows the batsmen to sneak another single off the first delivery. Pant clips the ball towards the leg side for another single off the fourth. Three runs off the over.

After 54 overs, IND 135/5 (Ashwin 11, Pant 23)

Stokes bangs in the first two deliveries off his 15th over. While Pant gets off the mark on the first, Stokes appeals for caught behind against Ashwin, but Ashwin opts for a review straightaway. And a successful one for India as it came off the right-hander’s shoulder. A nip backer to end the over from Stokes, but it stays low. Five runs off the over.

After 53 overs, IND 130/5 (Ashwin 7, Pant 22)

Leach returns to the attack. Root doing the right thing here, the skipper himself hasn’t looked good while Bess seems short of confidence since he’s just made his way into the squad. Leach lives up to his reputation as a frontline spinner, bowls a maiden. India trail by 75 runs

After 52 overs, IND 130/5 (Ashwin 7, Pant 22)

Stokes into his 14th over. Keeping Anderson aside, England haven’t missed a regular pacer in the playing XI, thanks to Stokes. He’s got the ball to move around and got the odd one to bounce. Rohit and Kohli, both key wickets in his pocket. Two slips and a gully in place for Ashwin before the second delivery. Bowls a full toss to Ashwin off the fourth and the right-hander collects an easy boundary off it. Six runs off the over.

After 51 overs, IND 124/5 (Ashwin 2, Pant 21)

Root continues. Sudden shift of momentum after the wicket of Rohit here. A lot will depend on Pant, but Ashwin’ batting ability cannot be written off either. Three runs off the over. India trail by 81 runs.

After 50 overs, IND 121/5 (Pant 20)

Stokes returns to the attack. Makes Rohit wait for his half-century as the right-hander defends the first four deliveries. Rohit goes for the flick off the fifth, but closes the face of the bat too early, no run there too. The all-rounder gets the better of the Hitman, trapping the right-hander LBW. Just the breakthrough England wanted. Rohit was looking assured at the crease. Fantastic over this, wicket maiden for Stokes.

After 49 overs, IND 121/4 (Rohit 49, Pant 20)

Right, bowling change as skipper Joe Root comes into the attack. Pant employs a reverse sweep off the third, collecting a double in the process as Crawley puts in a fantastic fielding effort at deep point. The left-hander once again charges down the track and whacks a massive six over long off on the penultimate delivery. Nine runs off the over.

After 48 overs, IND 112/4 (Rohit 48, Pant 12)

Anderson from the Reliance End. Starts off with two dots against Pant. The left-hander reaches for the third delivery and drives it through the covers for a boundary. Three dots to end the over. Four runs off Anderson’s 17th over.

After 47 overs, IND 108/4 (Rohit 48, Pant 8)

Bess continues. Pant charges down the track to a tossed up delivery and nudges it towards mid off for a single. Two consecutive singles off the fourth and fifth. Nevertheless, no freebie from the offie in the over. Three runs off it.

After 46 overs, IND 105/4 (Rohit 47, Pant 6)

Anderson steams in for his 16th over. Rohit times the ball well off the first but it goes straight to the mid-off fielder. The Mumbai batsman is then confronted with a short and wide delivery outside off and punches it for a boundary. Four dots to end the over. Just the four off it.

After 45 overs, IND 101/4 (Rohit 43, Pant 6)

Bess continues. He will be under pressure since the pitch is spinner-friendly. Starts off with an overpitched delivery to Rohit, who drives the ball and collects a boundary. India, meanwhile, cross the 100-run mark. Five runs off the over.

After 44 overs, IND 96/4 (Rohit 38, Pant 6)

Anderson into his 15th over. So far, Pant hasn’t looked that comfortable against the pacer, who’s bowling over the wicket to the left-hander. Pant chooses to play out the over, opting for the leave or defence. Another maiden for Anderson.

After 43 overs, IND 96/4 (Rohit 38, Pant 6)

Bess continues. Rohit plays his trademark pull shot against the spinner off the first but only manages a single. Pant defends the next three deliveries, all tossed up from the offie. The left-hander looks to whack the ball down the ground off the fifth but Bess collects it calmly. A single to end the over. Two runs off the over.

After 42 overs, IND 94/4 (Rohit 37, Pant 5)

Anderson continues. Pant gets beaten off the first two deliveries, thanks to the extra bounce on both occasions. The pacer induces Pant’s outside edge but the left-hander collects a boundary as the ball rolls between second slip and gully. Four runs off the over.

After 41 overs, IND 90/4 (Rohit 37, Pant 1)

Bess into his fifth over. Bowls a full toss off the third delivery to Rohit, who makes the most of it by collecting a four. Five runs off the over. Rohit has got his eye in and is looking assured at the crease.

After 40 overs, IND 85/4 (Rohit 33, Pant 0)

Anderson continues. Rohit covers the line of the ball beautifully and looks rock solid in his defence. Maiden over for Anderson. Rohit has respected the good deliveries thus far.

After 39 overs, IND 85/4 (Rohit 33, Pant 0)

Bess continues. Rohit tucks the third delivery towards mid wicket for a single. The off spinner bowls way down leg and India happily collect a boundary, through byes. Five runs off the over.

After 38 overs, IND 80/4 (Rohit 32, Pant 0)

Time for the second session on Day 2. Pant on strike against Anderson and he leaves the final delivery off the pacer’s 12th over. Wicket maiden for Anderson. He has kept things really tight.

OUT! Rahane c Stokes b Anderson 27(45)

The morning session ends with a wicket for England and they owe everything to Anderson’s brilliance. He got the ball to move away just a bit from the length and Rahane was guilty of poking at it as Stokes took a good low catch at second slip.

After 37 overs, IND 80/3 (Rohit 32, Rahane 27)

We spoke about how Bess needs to be disciplined because that’s an issue for him. He was doing alright in the over before he ended up bowling a full toss that Rahane fired through extra cover for a boundary. Six from the over. Lunch is close.

After 36 overs, IND 74/3 (Rohit 31, Rahane 22)

Rest for Leach as well as Anderson comes into the attack and starts off with a beauty. Fuller delivery that made Rahane come forward and then beat his outside edge with the ball swinging away. England would be licking their lips. Rahane manages to add a few runs with a flick and chip over midwicket on the leg side. Four from the over.

After 35 overs, IND 70/3 (Rohit 31, Rahane 18)

Time for Dom Bess to show what he can offer here. Stokes finally gets some rest. India have scored only 46 runs today in the 23 overs so far. England have bowled very well to create the pressure and Bess needs to be disciplined otherwise India can target him to get some quick runs. Rohit showed what is possible with the slog sweep in the over that got him a boundary. Just four from the over.

After 34 overs, IND 66/3 (Rohit 27, Rahane 18)

Rahane has come out with a positive mindset and is looking to score at every opportunity. Leach dropped one short and though it was turning away a bit, Rahane used his wrists to pull it to cow corner for a boundary. Just four from the over.

After 33 overs, IND 62/3 (Rohit 27, Rahane 14)

Runs have started to flow for India after some very quiet overs, Stokes, in his 10th over today, erred in his length and Rahane played a glorious cover drive to pick up a boundary through extra-cover. He then picked up a double with a pull shot and a single. Rohit chipped the last delivery back to Stokes who put in a half dive but couldn’t reach the ball. He looked extremely tired.

After 32 overs, IND 55/3 (Rohit 27, Rahane 7)

Some runs for India in Leach’s over. A couple of singles and a boundary as well for Rahane who capitalises on the short ball with a pull shot to mid-wicket.

After 31 overs, IND 49/3 (Rohit 26, Rahane 2)

Stokes comes to bowl his 11th over. Rahane takes a single on the first delivery and then India get a leg bye after a short ball deflects off Rohit’s helmet. Physio does the check-up and Rohit is all fine. Two from the over.

After 30 overs, IND 47/3 (Rohit 26, Rahane 1)

Leach continues. Rohit has been quiet for a long time but finally decides to break the shackles as he comes down to tonk one over extra cover for a boundary. Just four from the over.

After 29 overs, IND 43/3 (Rohit 22, Rahane 1)

No rest for Stokes as he continues bowling. Maiden over. What an effort it has been by the English all-rounder. England are short by a pacer but Stokes, who for the first time in this match bowled with the new ball, has made his team not miss a regular pacer.

After 28 overs, IND 43/3 (Rohit 22, Rahane 1)

Leach continues. Just two from the over with some hint of spin. England bowlers have been very disciplined today and have been awarded for the same. Indian have done them a favour also by not rotating the strike regularly.

Most ducks for Indian captains in Tests:

8 : MS Dhoni, VIRAT KOHLI*

7 : MAK Pataudi 

6 : Kapil Dev

After 27 overs, IND 41/3 (Rohit 21, Rahane 0)

You never count out Stokes. The pacer continued to toil hard on this slow pitch in Ahmedabad, waiting for it to respond. And it did, helping Stokes to dismiss Kohli. It was a bouncer and Kohli leaped to follow it but it got too big on him as the ball kissed the gloves on its way to the keeper. Big wicket for England, pin drop silence in Ahmedabad. Just one from the over and Ajinkya Rahane now joins Rohit in the middle.

OUT! Kohli c Foakes b Stokes 0(8)

India lose their skipper for a duck. Stokes gets rewarded for all his hard work today. He successfully manages to surprise Kohli with the bouncer as the batsman loosely follows it and ends up edging it to the keeper. There was some swing away from the bastman as well.

After 26 overs, IND 40/2 (Rohit 20, Kohli 0)

Leach continues. Another maiden over for England as Kohli defends or leaves. This is going to be an interesting battle; Kohli vs Leach.

After 25 overs, IND 40/2 (Rohit 20, Kohli 0)

Stokes continues. Kohli is the new man in but he is not on strike. Rohit plays out the over safely as it finishes as a maiden.

After 24 overs, IND 40/2 (Rohit 20)

Leach continues. There was an appeal for LBW on the first delivery after Pujara got beaten after stepping out but England decided against taking the review. Replays showed there was an inside edge. However, Leach didn’t take long to strike. Pujara was beaten again on forward defence and was given out LBW. He took a review but there was no inside edge this time around. Two runs from the over.

OUT! Pujara lbw b Jack Leach 17(66)

Pujara gets beaten on the arm ball. He pressed forward and the ball hit his pads. Puajra wasn’t convinced. He thought there was an inside edge and took a review but replays showed there wasn’t. He has to depart.

After 23 overs, IND 38/1 (Rohit 19, Pujara 16)

Stokes continues from the other end. Rohit gets off the strike with a pull shot for a single while India get another through a leg bye.

After 22 overs, IND 36/1 (Rohit 18, Pujara 16)

Leach called into the attack and the spinner quickly creates some half-chances. One spun away from Rohit beating his outside edge and another took Pujara’s outside edge but fell short of Stokes at first slip. Two from the over.

After 21 overs, IND 34/1 (Rohit 17, Pujara 15)

Anderson continues. He has already bowled five overs today, so Root is clinging onto the hope that the veteran pacer would get him a wicket. Maiden over this. Third on the trot.

After 20 overs, IND 34/1 (Rohit 17, Pujara 15)

A maiden over for Stokes. The strategy should change now for England. The combo of two pacers hasn’t really made any difference here. Surely the run scoring has been slow but the batsmen haven’t been trouble too much either.

After 19 overs, IND 34/1 (Rohit 17, Pujara 15)

No bowling change and Anderson continues as he finishes with another maiden over. His seventh of the innings. He is doing everything to build the pressure. Stokes needs to compliment the veteran.

After 18 overs, IND 34/1 (Rohit 17, Pujara 15)

Stokes continues. Leg bye on the first delivery as Pujara gets off the strike. In the battle of patience and concentration, Stokes wilts and ends up bowling a couple of full tosses. Rohit capitalises by steering one through the gap on off for a boundary. He then tucks one onto leg side for a single. Six from the over.

After 17 overs, IND 28/1 (Rohit 12, Pujara 15)

Maiden over by Anderson but there wasn’t anything threatening in it. Rohit played it out safely or rather left most of the deliveries safely. Anderson has bowled three overs today and this over could be the end of the current spell.

After 16 overs, IND 28/1 (Rohit 12, Pujara 15)

Good delivery by Stokes to square up Rohit as he pitches in the good length area but the delivery rolls down to the gully harmlessly. Rohit then tucks one to midwicket for a single. There has been good carry on the pitch and Stokes uses it to surprise Pujara with a bouncer. Just one from the over.

After 15 overs, IND 27/1 (Rohit 11, Pujara 15)

Once again, Anderson gets the delivery to jag back in to hit Rohit’s pads. There’s clearly a plan that England are bowling to. Rohit clips the second delivery off his pads for a single to get off the strike. Pujara plays out the remaining deliveries safely.

Four of Rohit Sharma’s last five dismissals are against Jack Leach.

Three of Cheteshwar Pujara’s last four dismissals are against Jack Leach. 

Interesting battles these: Leach vs Pujara, Leach vs Rohit

After 14 overs, IND 26/1 (Rohit 10, Pujara 15)

Root has decided against bringing in a spinner and Stokes is bowling from the other end. The pacer sticks to the outside off channel as Pujara defends or leaves. Maiden over.

After 13 overs, IND 26/1 (Rohit 10, Pujara 15)  

First runs of the morning come on first delivery as Rohit tucks the fuller delivery to midwicket for a brace. On the very next delivery, Rohit is hit on the pads as the ball jagged back in but the height saved him. Three dot balls follow and Rohit misses another one which kisses his pads but the impact looked outside off.

Nasser Hussain slams England batsmen

Hussain said that England’s poor batting saw them being bundled out 205 despite nothing being wrong with the pitch.

“It was another bad day at the office. There was nothing wrong with the pitch this time,” former England captain Nasser Hussain told The Cricket Show.

“Out of the four pitches so far – and things change very quickly in India – this looks like the best surface, by which I mean the most even contest – between bat and ball – of the series so far.”

Jofra Archer not playing final Test due to elbow injury

ECB has revealed that Jofra Archer was not considered for the fourth Test against India due to a persisting elbow injury and some of the squad members including Ben Stokes also have an upset stomach.

Ben Stokes: ‘Nothing untoward’ in exchange with Virat Kohli

Ben Stokes says there was “completely nothing untoward” in his exchange with Virat Kohli on Day 1 of the fourth Test.

“A lot is said these days when two guys seem to come to words out in the middle. There was completely nothing untoward, just two blokes who love what they do and don’t back down,” said Ben Stokes.

“Look at it from a different way – two guys who care about what they are doing and who they are representing.

“We are competitors. We are not going to back down to anyone, whoever it is. That’s what it was. Two competitive guys trying to get one over on each other.”

“I wanted to set Root up bowling away going deliveries. And then I thought during the start of a new over, I should bring one back in. I could execute it as I had planned and it gave me great satisfaction. Mazaa aa gaya (It was fun, I enjoyed it).”

– Mohammed Siraj on dismissing England skipper Joe Root on Day 1.

For the third time in four Tests, England got the spin of the coin. But for the third time in as many Tests, England haven’t got the spin of the ball. For the second match running, the visitors find themselves miles behind the curve one day into it — as India bowled them out for 205 on the opening day of the series-decider at Ahmedabad.

This time around, it wasn’t the conditions that dictated play, at all; instead, England — the vast majority of their batsmen, anyway — fell to the conditioning of their mindsets from the weight of the last fortnight they’ve endured in India.

Click here to read Yash Jha’s analysis of Day 1 of fourth Test