India v England 4th Test, Nagpur

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So we are reaching the last lap of the series with lots of things at stake.
England are 2-1 up, and this is a historic chance for Alastair Cook's side to make history by winning a series in India after 28 years. After a dreadful year where they lost 7 test matches and the well earned number one ranking, England seem to be getting firmly back on track.
Captain Cook is leading from the front, Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior are backing him well with the bat and Nick Compton has been solid if not spectacular. Of late Jonathan Trott also found some form. James Anderson has been good, Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann comfortably outbowled their Indian spin counterparts.
There are injury concerns though Steven Finn, who bowled very well in the last match is almost ruled out. Stuart Broad won't be able to step in for him, as he's already ruled out. That leaves a straight choice between Tim Bresnan and Graeme Onions. Bresnan has struggled to match his ashes form since his elbow troubles, and was pretty poor at Ahmedabad in the first test. Onions didn't have a great time in the tour matches. I would personally go for Onions, who has more pace than Bresnan has and bowls a wicket to wicket line. But England might prefer Bresnan's experience and his previous record in the sub-continent. There are questions over Samit Patel's place as well. Patel hasn't really gone on to play a big innings so far, but he has got a few important starts. If Finn's ruled out, his 5th bowling option would be more handy for England.
As far as India go, its a test match at the crossroads for them. The team has lost 2 back to back home tests after 12 years. They are facing the prospect of a home series loss after 8 years. All these come on top of the disasters in England and Australia. The batting isn't firing, the spinners are being outbowled. The leader of the pace pack is send packing by the selectors. There are shrill calls for the captain's head.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni expects his side to show some character in these circumstances. He expects Gautam Gambhir to convert one of those starts into a big one and he believes Sachin Tendulkar, as he has often done will deliver for his team and prove the speculators wrong. He things he can handle the criticism coming his way.
They are sure to go in with 2 changes as Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh who played the previous matches are dropped. It could be Ajinkya Rahane's much anticipated test debut. He might bat 6 in place or else they can bat him at 5 and push Virat Kohli to 6. The other option is to pick Ravindra Jadeja who has been in the form of his life in the Ranji Trophy this season. Jadeja has already scored over 800 runs with 2 triple hundreds for Saurashtra and has picked 26 wickets with his left-arm spin. Playing Jadeja would mean they can play 3 spinners without losing the balance of the attack. The absence of Zaheer and the unavailability of the injured Umesh Yadav might mean that Ishant Sharma's experience might see him playing. Remains to bee seen as to who would partner him in the seam bowling department. Ashok Dinda has been in the squad for some time, Parvinder Awana has good pace and recent good form.
As far as the pitch goes, cricinfo reports that it hasn't been watered for the last couple of days. So the dry pitch should turn. From when onwards and how much remains to bee seen.
Weather is expected to stay good.

This is an excellent partnership, respect where it is due

Nice 6 from Dhoni

I think they'd have to bat all day today and most of tommorow. If they need to bat twice its probably heading for a draw.

212 - 4. Just joining play. Very disappointing score for England from 87 - 4 at close of day two. Still, one wicket would put a different complexion on things.

What's been going on, folks? Good batting? Poor bowling? The pitch? Any chances missed? Thanks.

I still cant see India forcing a win but they are getting themselves into a very nice position while these two are in

yeah they are playing really well atm..

I suppsoe(looking at it from Indias perspective) if they could get to 500!(big ask) by close of play tommorow- they may have a shot in bolwing us out last day

Lifeless pitch. Watchful batsmen. Nutshell.

ShahenshahG wrote:Lifeless pitch. Watchful batsmen. Nutshell.

Thanks, Shahenshah.

Shah, I think I missunderstood what you posted yesterday!! I have no idea why i do that sometimes.. xx

Come on England force a wicket!

Not a problem mate. Working by the airport is such a bitch. The signal freezes at any given moment and you miss all the action.

Who is going to break this partnership? These two look odds on to make centuries

Taking over from where treb left off billy?

Rahul Dravid mentioning on commentary that James Anderson, England's best bowler, hasn't bowled that much today. 7 overs from Jimmy, and even with the new ball he didn't have a extended spell.
There have been a couple of LBW shouts, a first bounce take....... Dhoni has to stay focused here. Cook has to charge things up here, Dhoni's focus seems to be drifting just a touch.

It doesnt take long for a match to swing the other way. And india are doing it..

There are creeping the RR up..

If this pitch cracks up tommorow this could be game on!

Trying my best Shah

The ball turning a bit from Panesar, another ball strikes the pad but no serious appeal, but England look like they have a little bit more control over things at the moment, Dhoni looks like he's struggling a bit while running between the wickets.

Good move here from Cook, Anderson on, just before tea. Dhoni is not looking as comfortable as he did say 15 minutes ago.

This is the danger time for India, Batsmen in bit of double mind they shouldn't let scoring chances go but no need to take any risk whatsoever.

India will be hoping for at least a 20 run lead by the end of today

Doesn't look likely billy. The England bowlers aren't giving anything to hit. Anderson is getting the ball to reverse and both the batsmen are not really to put anything away. Tim Bresnan is giving Anderson good support, hasn't offered anything loose after tea.

Been out playing cricket myself today , so only watched from just before tea. Obviously credit to these two batsmen for their patience and concentration , but I'm a little disappointed England have gone wicket less all day !

The one thing I don't get is why Anderson only bowled eight overs in two sessions ... Surely he is the most dangerous bowler , if anyone is dangerous on this lifeless pitch ?

I see that Monty is churning out maidens , but are England just playing for a draw? If India bat on all day tomorrow and get a 200 lead , England might face a nasty last day...

I think they were waiting for the ball to start reversing before they put him on.

I think that there is every chance of a 20+ run lead today msp, these two look comfortable and are going at a very comfortable rate

ShahenshahG wrote:I think they were waiting for the ball to start reversing before they put him on.

Waiting a long time then...

Reckon they can overdo the theory...when batsmen are settled in , and a wicket is really needed , you want your best bowlers on.

This is getting away from England quite quickly now. If they aren't careful they are going to be stuck with a real rearguard action to achieve a draw , and if this pitch finally breaks up on day five , that won't be easy.

Right now I can't see where a wicket is coming from...

I would toss the ball to KP to see what he can do

Is Anderson carrying any niggles? He has been England's best bowler in this testt match, and despite a big partnership building up, Cook hasn't really used him a lot. Don't think its just about reverse, even when he was reversing it and kept the batsmen in check, didn't bowl a long spell.

I agree alfie - I think especially in this case - as both batsmen were out of form.. it seems like England have allowed them to get set and may come to regret it. Daft thing to do really. Inexperience from cook?

256 - 4.

This has been India's day so far by a country mile as they look to achieve a sizeable lead tomorrow. However, just one wicket now would give it a different complexion. They still trail by 70 odd runs ....

Chance of winning now quite slim, though the draw remains more likely than the India win at this stage.

I'm quite pleased to see Kohli and Dhoni in the runs. Dhoni in particular who I think is often misunderstood here in England.

Hundred for Virat Kohli.

Very much India's day. Worse , for England , they are now looking like a team on the defensive - no longer looking to win the match , just trying to keep it tight in hopes of a tame draw.
As the pitch will surely get a bit trickier in the next couple of days I fear they are putting themselves in a very perilous situation,

Mind you , you have to credit these two batsmen ! They are playing really well and deserve a lot of

..as does Kohli's hundred

Well played.

Nothing but compliments for these two, amazing effort here

It would also be an effort that Dravid would be proud of if either of these two survive the day.

Its 3 30 IST and there are another 15 overs to be bowled in the day. Bit of a change after the first couple of days that!.

eirebilly wrote:It would also be an effort that Dravid would be proud of if either of these two survive the day.

The way they're going I can see them both still in at close of play tomorrow

Aha ! I'm claiming that

England are still very much primed to win the series. If the pitch does start to deteriorate then surely India will have big issues tomorrow with it and wont be able to score quickly to build up a decent enough lead?

Finally.

There is the wicket.

alfie wrote:Aha ! I'm claiming that

Great knock from Kohli

But his dismissal opens the game up again...England need some more wickets quickly..

Completely different game now - as I've been suggesting it could be.

India more than 60 behind with 5 wickets left. Hussain's comments a few minutes ago about India batting to tea on the fourth day look very premature ....

Is it too much to ask for another wicket?

eirebilly wrote:Is it too much to ask for another wicket?

No.

Right now there is still sfa in the pitch for the bowlers ...and we still haven't got to Ashwin.

I can still see India batting much of tomorrow .

Even then, India will struggle to get a matchwinning lead alfie

If they get just 120 odd ahead , billy , England will be under pressure batting on a deteriorating pitch...

We have seen India fold up in the last two games - I'd like to think England would handle the situation better , but if Cook were to go early again we could be biting nails on Monday.

Virat Kohli has scored 3 test hundreds this year, but in all those knocks he failed to carry on to score a Daddy. Perhaps he could pick Gooch's brains a bit while he's around? It was understandable in Australia and he got a good ball here, still, Kohli would, should like to work on that aspect of his game.

Won't read too much into England struggling in the 3rd innings. An umpiring mistake helped us get Cook, who would do it this time? If you can't see a way passed him, well, then there is not a great deal to talk about in terms of an England collapse and stuff. Besides, India are still behind by a good 50 runs, its better to take one thing at a time.