Highlights, India vs England, 5th Test at The Oval, Day 2, Full Cricket Score: India 174/6 at stumps, trail by 158 runs

After 51 overs,India 174/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 25 , Ravindra Jadeja 8)

STUMPS!

Bad day for India, in total. But who is to be blamed? They themselves. Gave too many runs away in the morning session. They have made things worse for themselves. Although there were some close chances which did not go in their way. Made England form partnership. They themselves were not able to manufacture any concrete ones today. This is a very ordinary performance which does not reflect the position this team has granted in the world rankings.

FOUR! On the pads by Stokes and this has been flicked by Jadeja to fine leg.

Stokes continues.

After 50 overs,India 169/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 24 , Ravindra Jadeja 4)

Moeen Ali returns. More because Root wants to bowl as many as possible till the stumps to improve the bowling run rate. The upcoming over should be the last one.

Collapse looks imminent but we might have to wait till tomorrow. For the moment though Rishabh Pant cannot hold on and edges to first slip. That six to start off his scoring in Test cricket seems a long way old now.

Moeen Ali is back into the attack.

After 49 overs,India 164/6 ( Hanuma Vihari 23 , Ravindra Jadeja 4)

Stokes it is again. Whenever the two prime bowlers have got tired, Stokes has come in and produced results. Pant is back into the hut. Horrible series it has been for the young man with the bat.

Ravindra Jadeja, left handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! Beauty from Stokes, pitched on the off stump line, shapes away and takes the edge off Pant’s bat, goes straight to Cook who does not make a mistake. Pant c Cook b Stokes 5(8)

FOUR! On the legs of Pant and he flicks it for a boundary to fine leg.

After 48 overs,India 156/5 ( Hanuma Vihari 23 , Rishabh Pant (W) 1)

Curran continues. Pant continues playing his shots. That is the one way he likes to play and he is not sacrificing his style of play.

Reminder: Virat Kohli’s lowest score on this tour is 17 (2nd innings of Lord’s Test). That’s how well he has played across formats on this tour.

After 47 overs,India 154/5 ( Hanuma Vihari 22 , Rishabh Pant (W) 0)

Kohli is gone. He continued playing his shots and that laid the foundation of the wicket. In comes Pant and he heaves the first ball he faces. Two of India’s young men in the middle now, hopefully the future, will figure out how this Test will go about for India and fittingly so. Nine more overs remaining today. Let’s see how many can be bowled today and how many these two are able to cope with.

Big wicket before stumps. Kohli is gone just before the end of day’s play, and also before his half-century. Big, big blow to India. Rishabh Pant in. Can the two youngsters close out the day’s play?

Rishabh Pant, left handed bat, comes to the crease

OUT! That’s curtains for captain Kohli as he edges an outswinging delivery to second slip. Stokes does the honours. Kohli c Root b Stokes 49(70)

After 46 overs,India 154/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 49 , Hanuma Vihari 22)

Curran continues. Vihari has shown some aggression in the last two overs. Seems this was done after a pep talk by the captain at the other end. 

Fifty-run stand for India as well. Has comes in quick time. Important for these two to play till stumps.

FOUR! Splendid is the word for this shot. Fullish in length from Curran and Vihari leans into the straight drive and fetches a four.

FOUR! Vihari top-edges another one and the ball rolls away for four to fine leg.

After 45 overs,India 144/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 48 , Hanuma Vihari 13)

Stokes comes in steaming in and Vihari hits a six. This was some statement from the young man. Two balls later, he tries another pull and this time mistimes it. The ball goes in the air but Adil Rashid at fine leg flounders.

FOUR! Pull by Vihari, another one and Rashid misjudges it. The ball races away for four to fine leg.

Sun peeking out and India are changing gears. Flurry of scoring shots from both Kohli and Vihari starting to find his groove as well.

SIX! Whoa! Vihari it is. Short stuff and Vihari rolls his wrists and the ball goes sailing over the fine for a huge one.

Stokes continues.

After 44 overs,India 133/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 48 , Hanuma Vihari 2)

Curran replaces Broad. Two boundaries in the over from Kohli. This is brilliant stuff from him, cutting down the pressure.

FOUR! Back to back from Kohli, as he draws forward and puts it away for four to the right of third man.

FOUR! Kohli whips the ball for a boundary off his pads and that was majestic to watch.

Sam Curran replaces Stuart Broad.

After 43 overs,India 119/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 34 , Hanuma Vihari 2)

Kohli leaves the first ball from Stokes. Wonder what goes inside Kohli’s mind but on the outside, he looks all cool. If Vihari can pass this phase, and India go back without losing any further wickets, India will take it.

Stokes continues

After 42 overs,India 118/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 33 , Hanuma Vihari 2)

Broad continues and tries to bring it in from the outside the off stump line to Vihari. The debutant leaves it alone. After two such deliveries, Vihari makes two solid defences. Looked good when he did that.

Broad continues.

After 41 overs,India 113/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 29 , Hanuma Vihari 2)

Ben Stokes comes into the attack. Good thing about Vihari is that he is looking calm and composed in the middle. This is the first time that we are seeing of him at the international level and despite the few initial hiccups, he has been able to cope it up all with calmness. Let’s see if he can stretch his stay in the middle along side his captain.

Light drizzle at the Oval. Play continuing at the moment. But this will probably not go till the scheduled end.

Ben Stokes replaces James Anderson

After 40 overs,India 112/4 ( Kohli 28 , Vihari 2)

Root has placed a leg slip for Kohli and Broad fires in an inswinger. This was what Root was talking about animatedly with the fast bowler in the last over. Make him play the flick and hope for him to make that mistake. Kohli almost made that plan come to life on the first ball. He is the key here. If he goes, India will almost be buried in this innings.

Broad continues.

After 39 overs,India 109/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 26 , Hanuma Vihari 1)

Anderson to continue. He is on fire at the moment, asking questions to Kohli every now and then. But the Indian captain has not looked too perturbed too. It is the young man Hanuma Vihari who is having some issue and why not two of world’s finest seamners are up against him. Vihari should be happy that he has Kohli at the other end. He will help him calm the nerves down.

Anderson continues.

After 38 overs,India 108/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 25 , Hanuma Vihari 1)

Hanuma Vihari has been given out for a duck. Broad gets him with the inswinger. But he has reviewed almost immediately. Anxious moments for the debutant who is still batting on 0. And replays show that it was going over the stumps. Vihari living a charmed life so far. And he gets off the mark with a tap to cover. First run in Test cricket. That will release some pressure off him.

Ball darting around like crazy. Two appeals from Broad and Vihari is still there. First one was out but England didn’t review. Second was not out, but Vihari reviewed and is not out. Joel Wilson not having the best times. Again, the ball is really darting around under heavy cloud cover and lights.

After 36 overs,India 104/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 22 , Hanuma Vihari 0)

Well, well… the umpires’ decisions have been in India’s favour today. One has to say that. Hanuma Vihari is pinged in front and England’s appeal is turned down. Interestingly, Root doesn’t decide to review it and replays show that it would’ve been out. Three reds on the HawkEye….

Most catches against India in Tests:

39 – Viv Richards
37 – ALASTAIR COOK*
36 – Ricky Ponting

Anderson gets another, superb spell, earlier reverse swing (only 30-odd overs) and the ball is doing a lot. India in trouble, familiar trouble really, losing 3 for 34. Hanuma Vihari on debut. Doesn’t get tougher than this.

After 35 overs,India 103/4 ( Virat Kohli (C) 22 , Hanuma Vihari 0)

As predicted, England are already in the driver’s seat thanks to the probing spells from Anderson and Broad. With Pujara and Rahane already back in the hut. The responsibility to pull India out of the trouble once again falls on the captain Virat Kohli despite India’s decision to play the sixth batsman in the form of debutant Hanuma Vihari.

OUT! Another one bites the dust. Eight-ball duck for Ajinkya Rahane. Anderson angles one back in as Rahane goes forward to defend. But the ball moves away late and Jinx nicks it to Cook at first slip. 

 Rahane c Cook b Anderson 0(8)

After 34 overs,India 102/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 21 , Ajinkya Rahane 0)

This is a crucial phase for India. If they lose another, they will be in big trouble and mind you Rahane hasn’t looked comfortable at the centre so far.

Virat Kohli becomes the first batsman to complete 18,000 international runs in less than 400 innings. He achieved the milestone in 382 innings.

Anderson on fire. Pujara nicked off… this is a superb spell and other Indian batsmen do struggle against him or have poorer luck. All but Kohli.

Most wickets against India in Tests:

106 – JAMES ANDERSON*
105 – Muttiah Muralitharan
94 – Imran Khan

James Anderson’s bowling average of 32.95 at Kennington Oval in Tests – the worst for him at a home venue in Tests.

After 33 overs,India 101/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 20 , Ajinkya Rahane 0)

No Kohli on strike and Anderson strikes. It’s been that kind of a series for him, isn’t it? He won’t mind though. Pujara’s is also an important wicket. Rahane is the new man in. Consecutive maidens for Jimmy.

OUT! James Anderson strikes. Lapse of concentration for Pujara. The length ball shapes back in as Pujara tries to poke unnecessarily. And the ball moves away and Cheteshwar nicks it to Bairstow. 

Pujara c Bairstow b Anderson 37(101)

After 32 overs,India 101/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 37 , Virat Kohli (C) 20)

Five dots followed by a lovely flick from Pujara that bisects the gap between midwicket and mid on. They run three runs.

Anderson doesn’t know what he has to do to get Kohli in this series. Sets him up, plumb and not out on DRS thanks to umpire’s call. That was as close an lbw shout you will get without taking a wicket.

After 31 overs,India 98/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 34 , Virat Kohli (C) 20)

Runs have dried up since these two have came into the attack and rightly so. The need of the hour is survival for India and Kohli plays out an Anderson over without scoring a run.

After 30 overs,India 98/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 34 , Virat Kohli (C) 20)

Broad from the other side. Don’t go anywhere folks. This passage of play could decide how the match pans out. A maiden.

After 29 overs,India 98/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 34 , Virat Kohli (C) 20)

The battle resumes and so does the nervy times for the Indian dressing room. Two away swinging deliveries followed by an inswinger, which pings Kohli infront. Dharmasena turns down the stifled appeal and Root immediately reviews it. But it is umpire’s call on impact and the orignal decision stays. Jimmy will have to wait for the wicket that he has been trying to take since the Edgbaston Test.

FOUR! Poor line. Jimmy tries to bowl the outswinger, but bowls it around leg. Easy runs for Kohli, who clips it away to the fine leg fence.

Jimmy Anderson vs Virat Kohli battle resumes.

After 28 overs,India 94/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 34 , Virat Kohli (C) 16)

Like the last over, runs flow in this over as well. Time for a change from both ends maybe? Nine of them come in this over.

FOUR! Flight on offer. Pujara shimmies down the track and bunts it down the ground. The mid on had no chance.

FOUR! Short from Moeen. He has been on the shorter side in the last couple of overs. Kohli rocks back and pulls it to the deep square leg fence.

After 27 overs,India 85/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 30 , Virat Kohli (C) 11)

In comparison to the other matches, India don’t seem to go into a cuckoon after a dismissal. These two have already shown ‘intent’ and are batting positively. Seven come in this over.

FOUR! Overpitched and outside off. Maybe the idea was to bring the ball back in but there was no movement there. Kohli strides forward and creams it through cover.

After 26 overs,India 78/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 30 , Virat Kohli (C) 4)

Pujara fails to find the gap through midwicket on two occasions. But a couple of shortish balls allows him to tuck it behind square for a couple and a single. Kohli too uses his wrist to work one around the leg side. Four runs in the over.

Rahul squared up by Sam Curran. Brilliant set up, pegging on a short of length channel and then just threw in a fuller ball, changing length just a bit to stump him up. India need to be watchful against his angle.

After 25 overs,India 74/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 27 , Virat Kohli (C) 3)

Very tentative from Virat Kohli. Attempts an expansive drive on the first ball, which was full and swinging away. Could’ve been caught behind easily on any other day. The only scoring shot of the series is a clip past square leg for a couple.

After 24 overs,India 72/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 27 , Virat Kohli (C) 1)

Root has packed the midwicket region to stop Pujara from milking easy singles. Moeen raps one on Kohli’s pad which gets England players excited. Root thinks of reviewing it for a second but decides against it. Two singles in the over.

Most innings batted by Indian openers without a fifty-plus score in a Test series:

18 v England in England, 2018*
16 v Pakistan in India, 1952/53

After 23 overs,India 70/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 26 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

Curran has given England the breakthrough and broken the partnership, which brings Virat Kohli to the centre. Kohli plays out the first five balls that he faces.

OUT! Peach. What a fantastic delivery from Sam Curran. It seemed like the ball would shape back in but it moved away ever so slightly and went through KL Rahul’s defence. Hits the top of off. Beautifully bowled. 

Rahul b Sam Curran 37(53)

After 22 overs,India 70/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 40 , Cheteshwar Pujara 23)

Moeen against Pujara is becoming a battle within a battle now. Pujara is considered as one of the most comfortable batsman against spin, specially when he uses his feet. Three singles in the over.

After 21 overs,India 67/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 39 , Cheteshwar Pujara 21)

Two braces come in the over amidst a long delay due to sightscreen issues. Pujara has a lot of those. Four in the over.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s batting average in Tests in England:

Before this series: 22.20
Current: 32.26

Massive improvement!

After 20 overs,India 63/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 35 , Cheteshwar Pujara 21)

Pujara has started using his feet consistently against Moeen. Gavaskar had said that is one of the ways to counter him. Will be interesting to see Moeen’s next move. Rahul, though, plays a risky shot. Kneels and tries to lap sweep but he misses. The ball narrowly misses the stumps and Bairstow fails to collect it. They run four byes.

After 19 overs,India 58/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 35 , Cheteshwar Pujara 20)

A lovely shot from Pujara to score the first boundary of the final session. The 50-run stand is up between him and Rahul. Five come in this over.

FOUR! Shortish and outside off, Pujara goes on his back foot and punches it on the up through point to bring up the 50-run stand with Rahul.

The players are back on the field. Sam Curran will continue.

Fifty is up for India. And Rahul-Pujara are batting well with their partnership edging close to 50 itself. Rahul has batted with a lot more freedom. Perhaps the difference is in that he has decided to play his shots a lot more. Felt in the last two Tests, he was keeping a check on himself.

Tea, Day 2: Shared session? Given that England posted 332 and India lost only one wicket before Tea, we are in for an intriguing final session. Rahul started positively but Moeen’s introduction has made things slightly interesting for England. He already created chances in his first over and could very well continue to do so after Tea.

After 18 overs,India 53/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 35 , Cheteshwar Pujara 15)

So far, Rahul has played both the Moeen deliveries off his back foot. Comes forward to a low full toss and flicks it through midwicket for a single. 50-run mark is up. The stand is worth 44 runs. Two short midwickets and a short leg for Pujara. Defends one softly off his back foot. The ball takes the leading edge and rolls past the slip. Single taken. Rahul to face the final ball of the session and punches it through cover for a brace.

Last over before Tea…

After 17 overs,India 49/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 32 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Rahul takes a single on the first ball and then Curran delivers five consecutive dots to Pujara.

After 16 overs,India 48/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 31 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Moeen has already created chances in his first over. Troubled Pujara on the front as well as back foot. In fact, Cook put down a difficult catch at short leg. Pujara sends the final ball to the fence.

FOUR! Short and on the stumps, Pujara clears his front leg and pulls it in front of square on the legs side.

Moeen Ali comes into the attack.

After 15 overs,India 43/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 30 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Sam Curran comes into the attack. Nasser Hussain and David Lloyd mention on air that this could be a wrong end for the youngster because the breeze is going the wrong way. Nonetheless, he bowls a good over. One single came in it.

After 14 overs,India 42/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 29 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Anderson’s trying to set up Pujara with a back of a ength delivery? A couple of those in this over to India’s No 3. Maybe a full delivery will follow in his next over. One single in the over.

After 13 overs,India 41/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 28 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Rahul punches the first ball towards the off side and calls Pujara across, who plays out the rest of the over safely.

After 12 overs,India 40/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 27 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Three balls that could have easily seen the end of KL Rahul. The first one whizzed past his outside edge. He was rapped on the second on the second but it was going over the stumps. While, he defended the third one very late and off his backfoot. The ball bounced near the stumps and lobbed over it. He takes a single on the next ball. And there’s an LBW appeal on the final ball as Pujara got pinged in front but Wilson says not out.

After 11 overs,India 39/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 26 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

A light moment on the field. England have changed the ball. They were upset with the shape. And Pujara asks Root to show the changed ball. He does that… but from a distance as Pujara wanted a feel of it. Irrespective of the ball, Rahul’s plan to attack continues. Scores a boundary and retains the strike on the final ball.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s partnership average of 27.63 with KL Rahul in Tests – the lowest for him with any partner with whom he added atleast 100 runs in Tests.

FOUR! Length delivery and outside off, Rahul’s eyes light up and he drills it through cover.

After 10 overs,India 34/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 21 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

And Anderson is back. Different end though. He has replaced Broad. Maybe, just maybe, England want either of Broad or Anderson fresh when Virat Kohli arrives at the crease. That could be the reason behind replacing him two overs into his spell. Anyways, a probing over from Jimmy; a maiden.

After 9 overs,India 34/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 21 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Stokes continues. Tries the inswingers against Rahul, a delivery he has struggled against this series, but the Karnataka opener has played him well.

FOUR! Short and around leg from Stokes and Rahul pulls it with control to the fine leg fence.

After 8 overs,India 30/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 17 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

The run rate is more than 3.50. India’s approach might have caught England by surprise. They are mixing caution with aggression very well here. Five came in this over.

FOUR! Pujara is driving on the up… Gets a fullish ball and drives it through cover. Buttler gives it a chase, flicks it back but the ball falls on his boot and rolls over towards the fence.

After 7 overs,India 25/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 16 , Cheteshwar Pujara 6)

A lot of shortish deliveries from Stokes in this over. Still wondering why was Anderson replaced only after two overs. Are there injury concenrs? Will have to wait and see. One came in this over.

After 6 overs,India 24/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 15 , Cheteshwar Pujara 6)

Broad, after the first over, has been slightly wayward. Concedes five runs in his third over.

India looking for a solid start but Dhawan gone cheaply. Ideally, he shouldn’t have been playing this Test, ahead of Prithvi Shaw. Then again, he shouldn’t have been on this tour, period. The second innings is still remaining. Knowing Dhawan, he will score a good 40-50 and save himself for the West Indies series.

FOUR! Poor line from Broad. Bowls this on the pads and Pujara tickles it fine.

After 5 overs,India 19/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 14 , Cheteshwar Pujara 2)

A boundary followed by three singles. A different approach from KL Rahul and India in general here. They are looking to attack, Rahul importantly. Are they trying to disturb the pacers’ lengths here?

FOUR! Well, what do we have here? A full ball outside off and Rahul slaps it over extra cover.

Ben Stokes replaces James Anderson in the attack.

After 4 overs,India 12/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 8 , Cheteshwar Pujara 1)

Broad has looked the better bowler of the two so far. Bowled a couple of lovely inswingers in this over. But both the batsmen played them well. Two singles in the over.

After poor run in England Tests, Murali Vijay signs up with Essex for remainder of County campaign- Firstcricket News, Firstposthttps://www.firstpost.com

After 3 overs,India 10/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 7 , Cheteshwar Pujara 0)

Rahul is looking much better today. Has the positive mindset and is not shying away from playing shots. Scores his first boundary in the over.

FOUR! Late. Very late. Well played. Slightly on the shorter length and outside off, Rahul goes back and cuts it very late to the right of backward point.

Stuart Broad has just gone past Richard Hadlee’s wicket tally of 431 wickets y taking a wicket of Dhawan. He is now at the eighth place in the list of bowlers taking most wickets in Test cricket.

After 2 overs,India 6/1 ( Lokesh Rahul 3 , Cheteshwar Pujara 0)

What an outstanding start from Stuart Broad, who goes past Sir Richard Hadlee and moves to 8th position in the list of highest Test wicket-takers. Bowls a wicket maiden as Dhawan gets dismissed for his first single digit score of the series.

Indian openers’ batting average of 17.50 in this Test series so far – the lowest for them in a series of more than three matches.

OUT! Stuart Broad hardly takes any time to strike. Goes around the wicket and bowls the inswinger to Dhawan. He prods forward to defend but the ball shapes in and raps him on the pad. Broad doesn’t even appeal, starts celebrating. He knows that’s out. Dhawan thinks of a review even makes the ‘T’ sign but think the time was up. 

Dhawan lbw b Broad 3(6)

After 1 overs,India 6/0 ( Lokesh Rahul 3 , Shikhar Dhawan 3)

On a length and outside off and Rahul punches it through cover. Collects three. Dhawan swats the fifth ball past the gully for a brace and retains the strike with a single to fine leg. A good start to the innings for India.

The Indian openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan are at the centre. James Anderson, who needs five wickets to overtake Glenn McGrath as the most successful pacer in Test cricket, starts the proceedings for England.

Ravindra Jadeja becomes the first Indian left-arm spinner to take four wickets in an innings of a Test in England since 1987.

Most runs for England in a Test series batting at No.6 or lower against India:

382 – Tony Greig in 1972/73
347* – Jos Buttler in 2018*
311 – Ben Stokes in 2016/17

Sharp catch from Rahane means England innings is over. Buttler with another good knock in this series. England added 151 runs since they were seven-down. That could be a huge difference again.

England have been bowled out. But from being 181/7 to posting 332, this has been a tremendous recovery and a lot of credit goes to Jos Buttler, who fell 11 short of his century.

OUT! Jos Buttler, in search of a single, looks to cut one but edges it. It hits Pant and lobs towards Rahane, who pouches it. 

Buttler c Rahane b Jadeja 89(133)

After 121 overs,England 330/9 ( Jos Buttler 87 , James Anderson 0)

Buttler’s batting in fifth gear. He is 13 away from his second century of the series. Two sixes and a predictable fifth-ball single and Anderson sees out the final ball.

KL Rahul has now taken 13 catches in this series 

– Most by a fielder in a Test series in England eclipsing Wally Hammond (12 in Ashes, 1934)
– Joint most by an India fielder in a Test series along with Dravid

SIX! Another short ball from Bumrah and Buttler accepts the challenge. Just pulls it over the fine leg fence. Wasn’t a clean shot but it doesn’t matter, does it?

SIX! Short and around off, Buttler sees the length early and clobbers it over midwicket.

After 120 overs,England 317/9 ( Jos Buttler 74 , James Anderson 0)

Buttler plays out the first our balls, takes a single on the fifth and allows Anderson to deadbat one, which he does. This will be the pattern of the game till the last wicket falls.

After 119 overs,England 316/9 ( Jos Buttler 73 , James Anderson 0)

A risky but good stop in the deep from Dhawan, who stops the ball by his foot near the fence. Could’ve easily tripped and given India an injury headache but instead manages to save two runs for his team. Three come in the over.

Brilliant catch from Rahul to break the partnership. You can fault his batting in this series but he still makes the next series on his catching alone. India’s most reliable fielder this series. That has to be worth something. 

Now for India to make sure another stand doesn’t develop.

After 118 overs,England 313/9 ( Jos Buttler 70 , James Anderson 0)

Not a wicket-taking delivery but India have got what they wanted quite early in the session. Expect some big shots from Jos Buttler now… two come in this over.

OUT! This is an outstanding catch. KL Rahul may not have been sensational with the bat but boy oh boy, hasn’t his catching been something? A lazy shot from Broad. Stands tall and tries to loft this flighted delivery over mid on. But he doesn’t connect well. Rahul hares after it and takes a blinder over his head near long on. 

 Broad c Rahul b Jadeja 38(59)

After 117 overs,England 311/8 ( Jos Buttler 68 , Stuart Broad 38)

India have put their bets on Bumrah and Jadeja to take the final two wickets but the duo has looked untroubled in this over as well. They milk three singles.

Jos Buttler has crossed 300 runs for this series. Only the second batsman after Virat Kohli to do so. At the start of the series if anyone had said this would happen… That would have been a joke. But cricket is strange.

Jasprit Bumrah to bowl from the other end.

After 116 overs,England 308/8 ( Jos Buttler 66 , Stuart Broad 37)

Turn on the third ball. Jadeja loops it around off as Buttler goes to slap it over cover but the ball turns away and Pant fails to collect it cleanly. These runs are hurting India now. Four of them come in this over.

Welcome back after the break. India start the second session with Ravindra Jadeja as Buttler, Broad resume England innings.

After 115 overs,England 304/8 ( Jos Buttler 63 , Stuart Broad 36)

LUNCH called!

England are placed now in a comfortable zone after crossing the 300 run-mark. Broad has quickly amassed 36 runs which are too precious. They return to dressing room happy. On the other hand, nothing too happy about Indians in this morning session. There will be more chat than food in the dressing room. We will be back at 6:10 pm IST when the play resumes.

Shami continues

After 114 overs,England 300/8 ( Jos Buttler 62 , Stuart Broad 34)

Ishant continues but to be honest he is beginning to look tired now. Meanwhile Buttler and Broad have taken two runs to bring up the 300 for England. This is exactly what India did not want and despite good bowling, they have not been able to deny England.

Ishant Sharma continues.

After 113 overs,England 298/8 ( Jos Buttler 62 , Stuart Broad 32)

Shami continues. Just the three slips. No pressure really on Broad. The ball still missing the edges. There is a grim expression on Kohli’s face as ball continues to miss the batsman’s edges. Shami’s luck continues to betray him but the hard worker in him continues to challenge it every time he runs in to bowl. Cricket is cruel, we have heard. We can see it too.

9th wicket stand in this series for England:

5, 41, 0, 50, 63, 0, 75* (and counting)

All or nothing!

There has been only one ninth wicket century stand for England against India in Tests (103 runs added by Matthew Hoggard and Craig White at Nottingham in 2002).

Shami continues.

After 112 overs,England 296/8 ( Jos Buttler 61 , Stuart Broad 31)

Ishant Sharma continues. He is putting all his efforts to get Broad out. Buttler and Broad has been playing superbly, trying to score runs. This is how it should be. Problems continue for India. The last 2 wickets. Yet again a problem. Has hurt them through this series.

FOUR! Broad smashes it without seeing the ball, goes big, ball takes the edge and flies over the slip cordon for a boundary.

Ishant continues.

After 111 overs,England 289/8 ( Jos Buttler 60 , Stuart Broad 26)

Shami continues with three slips in place. There is nothing happening for him. India need wickets but no chances are being created.

After 110 overs,England 286/8 ( Jos Buttler 57 , Stuart Broad 26)

Ishant continues. There is no sixth bowler to turn to for Kohli and Ishant too has leaked runs in this over. Problems of plenty for India as they are running out of ideas.

FOUR! Beautiful cover drive from Buttler as he lean into it as he hits the ball. He is becoming dangerous for India.

Ishant continues.

After 109 overs,England 278/8 ( Jos Buttler 52 , Stuart Broad 23)

Shami into the attack . Buttler reaches another fifty. This is a superb innings from him in this situation. The partnership is growing and becoming threatening for India. England look set for 300.

FIFTY for Buttler – A superb innings in this situation. He has been too good playing with the tail in the series and he continues to impress. The leading run-scorer for England in this series and by some margin.

England were 181-7. They have added 89/1 since then. Yes, the scoreline says this series has been close and it doesn’t say how well India have played. It also doesn’t say how poorly India have bowled to the English tail and this is also why they have lost the series.

FOUR! Outswinger from Shami, takes the edge off Buttler’s bat and flies through the vacant third slip for a boundary.

Shami continues.

After 108 overs,England 270/8 ( Jos Buttler 45 , Stuart Broad 22)

Ishant Sharma is back on. Clearly, the best bowler today, and Kohli wants him to deliver as Jadeja was failing to find the right length.

FOUR! Ishant bowls one on the pads and Buttler flicks off the pads through mid-wicket boundary.

And Ishant comes into the attack.

After 107 overs,England 263/8 ( Jos Buttler 39 , Stuart Broad 21)

Shami continues. A short leg in place for Broad. The plan is not working. Broad is gaining in confidence.

FOUR! Lovely on-drive from Broad, fetches four for England. Important runs.

After 106 overs,England 258/8 ( Jos Buttler 38 , Stuart Broad 17)

Jadeja continues and this partnership too is flourishing. Jadeja has given way too many loose deliveries in this over. Buttler playing him easily on the back foot. It would be better if he keeps Broad play more of his deliveries. This is getting frustrating for India as the partnership between the two has grown to be 44 runs off 53 balls.

Jadeja continues

After 105 overs,England 253/8 ( Jos Buttler 34 , Stuart Broad 16)

Shami continues. England are batting well. Looking to score runs on every opportunity. That’s what you got to do when you are 8 down. No point in defending the balls.

Shami continues.

After 104 overs,England 251/8 ( Jos Buttler 33 , Stuart Broad 15)

Ravindra Jadeja is into the attack now. This is a good move as his quicker ones can outdo Broad. Buttler gets a boundary in the over and England have reached their first target of 250 runs.

FOUR! Tad short and Buttler cuts it through the point region for a boundary. 250 up for England.

Ravindra Jadeja is back into the attack

Runs added by last four wickets for England combined in each innings of this series:

1st Test: 93, 160

2nd Test: 76

3rd Test: 86, 51

4th Test: 94, 63

5th Test: 66* (and counting)

After 103 overs,England 243/8 ( Jos Buttler 28 , Stuart Broad 12)

Shami continues. This again is a nice spell of bowling from him. But yet no wickets for him. Deserves a one.

This has got to be one of the, if not the, best spells Shami has bowled in Test cricket. The shape is so consistent, the rhythm is as good as it has ever been for him, and yet there is no prize for it. Test cricket can be cruel and you can just check his wickets’ column to see how/why.

Shami continues.

After 102 overs,England 240/8 ( Jos Buttler 25 , Stuart Broad 12)

Bumrah rages in. And The first ball is a bouncer that almost beat flying Pant. It was a terrific effort from him to stop that ball. He has gives a lot of byes but cannot say that he has been bad in this match. These are tough conditions to keep wickets.

Bumrah continues.

After 101 overs,England 237/8 ( Jos Buttler 23 , Stuart Broad 11)

Shami comes in. Bowls a perfect outswinger. To Broad, he comes round the wicket with three slips in place. Yet the scoreboard keeps ticking. Not that Kohli wound not mind that. Runs are runs and in this situation, England would not mind them. Shami misses another edge on the last ball. Sorry luck in this Test so far for him.

Alright, first sign of Mohammed Shami.

After 100 overs,England 234/8 ( Jos Buttler 21 , Stuart Broad 10)

Bumrah is back and we are seeing signs of late swing as well. Signs reflected on Pant’s face when he collected the second ball of the over, which straightened after passing by the legs of Broad. The penultimate ball of the over rises from good length and hits Broad on the chest. A ball before, Pujara had gone to Bumrah to have word. Wonder what that chat was. Could have been about showing intent.

India’s missed DRS reviews haven’t really cost them. An inside edge early on, but that was plumb against Rashid. Buttler doing a good job of shielding the tail and trying to push the score. India need to keep this under 250. We still don’t how the pitch is. Need to see both teams bat on it, and given cloudy conditions, it won’t be easy for Indian batsmen.

Bumrah continues.

After 99 overs,England 228/8 ( Jos Buttler 21 , Stuart Broad 8)

Three slips for Broad as Ishant continues. Kohli sets up a defensive field when Buttler is on stirke, with no fielder inside the circle on the off side.

FOUR! This is lousy work from Ishant, who gives room to new man Broad, who drives the ball through the vacant cover area for a boundary.

Most wickets by Indian pacers in a Test series:

59 v England in England, 2018*

58 v Pakistan in India, 1979/80

57 v Australia in Australia, 1991/92

Ishant continues.

After 98 overs,England 221/8 ( Jos Buttler 20 , Stuart Broad 2)

Bumrah strikes. The inswing has worked. Rashid caught in front of the stumps. This might not be the big wicket this morning but at least a wicket to settle with. India should aim to get the remaining two wickets in an over or two or the pendulum might swing again.

FOUR! Not too convincing from Buttler, as a thick edge flies from the right of the second slip to a boundary.

England’s comebacks in this series:

1st Test, 2nd innings: 87/7 to 180/10
2nd Test. 1st innings: 89/4 to 396/7dec
3rd Test. 2nd innings: 241/8 to 317/10
4th Test, 1st innings: 86/6 to 246/10
4th Test, 2nd innings: 178/6 to 272/10

Can England stage a comeback in this match also?

OUT! Just when we thought, Rashid was showing great resilience, Bumrah has produced a ripper, inswinger which thuds on Rashid’s pads. Umpire Wilson says OUT but Rashid goes upstairs. But the decision stays. As DRS goes for umpire’s call. Review will stay. Adil Rashid lbw b Bumrah 15(51)

After 97 overs,England 214/7 ( Jos Buttler 15 , Adil Rashid 15)

Ishant continues and this is a lovely little fight from Rahid, who might not be the Stokes or the Moeen Ali of this side but is showing decent amount of application. The partnership is beginning to trouble India.

Ishant continues

After 96 overs, England 212/7 (Buttler 15, Rashid 14)

Bumrah continues. He has looked off colour in the morning session so far. The flick off the pads by Rashid was a delight to watch. He has really grown into a handy batsman down the order and that shot might give Kohli some headache.

FOUR! This is classy from Rashid who flicks the incoming delivery from Bumrah ball off his pads. The ball races away for a boundary to deep mid-wicket.

Bumrah continues.

After 95 overs, England 207/7 (Buttler 14, Rashid 10)

Ishant continues. He pulls his length back and puts a short leg in place for Rashid. Not for Buttler. Continues to bowl those lethal inswingers. But the angle created is saving Buttler from LBW decisions.

Ishant continues

After 94 overs, England 204/7 (Buttler 12, Rashid 9)

Bumrah begins new over with an outswinger. Good over from him. But India need wickets.

Bumrah continues.

After 93 overs, England 203/7 (Buttler 11, Rashid 9)

Ishant continues and the ball is coming beautifully off his fingers. The in-swing is playing its role here. Huge LBW appeal for Rashid but umpire Dharamasena was spot on. There was a thin inside edge before the ball hit the pads. It looked out in real time but this is some fine umpiring from the Sri Lankan.

We have seen a few seasons on this English tour. Heat wave, non stop rain and now winter… Temperatures have dropped suddenly and the reason is that September is here. 

Good conditions for bowling today. Lot of cloud cover and wind about. Will this Test gather any momentum on Day 2? 

India need to knock off the tail early.

Ishant Sharma continues

After 92 overs, England 203/7 (Buttler 11, Rashid 9)

Bumrah from the other end and he starts off by getting hit for a boundary. 200 is up for England now. Solid defence by Rashid on the third ball, shows his resilience with the bat. Has been so good right at the tail for England. Five from the over.