🏏England tour of India 2024: 1st Test: 25 - 29 Jan 2024 - Day 4🏏 - Page 29

94.3

Root to Axar, FOUR, 90.1kph, overpitched outside off and Axar smashes the drive through extra cover

"If we're being honest, there isn't a lot left in this match. From the Indian perspective, it's all about grinding the English spinners into the ground and making them wish they'd never been born to set up the next 4 games." That's the beauty of a proper series, Anil. For England's part, they will be aiming to hang in this game for as long as possible and shake off some of the rust that has probably left them off the pace here

END OF OVER 95

6 runs

IND: 373/7

CRR: 3.92

RA Jadeja

63 (111)

AR Patel

9 (16)

JE Root

21-2-72-2

MJ Leach

22-6-48-1

"Root should be classed as an all rounder - he is probably the best spinner for England out of this touring party!" He's the de facto allrounder in this team, Suren, what with Stokes unable to bowl. Leach might take issue with the second point

"The grind is good," drawls Manu, channeling his inner Gordon Gecko. "India doesn't need fancy Bazball here, there's tons of time in the game. If they can add another 50 here they might even be able to dream of not batting again this match"

END OF OVER 96

2 runs

IND: 375/7

CRR: 3.90

RA Jadeja

64 (116)

AR Patel

10 (17)

MA Wood

10-0-37-0

JE Root

21-2-72-2

Here's Aamir: "With Root in the team, they could have dropped one of the three spinners and played an extra batsman." Or an extra seamer, reflecting India's balance

END OF OVER 97

3 runs

IND: 378/7

CRR: 3.89

AR Patel

11 (21)

RA Jadeja

66 (118)

JE Root

22-2-75-2

MA Wood

10-0-37-0

England Must Regreat themself of NOT PLAYING PRACTICE MATCHES before 1st test

Many time eng loose 1st test of new series vs Many Top nation but last time in eng they escape with Draw vs India

On -going test at Hydrabad no escape to them because wicket will turn more from day 3 than now ( on (#2)

Lead 132

97.3

Mark Wood to Jadeja, leg byes, FOUR, 140.5kph, England are appealing and the ball dribbles away to the third man fence. Skids off the deck from a length and Jadeja is beaten by the pace. Hits the front pad adjacent to leg before eluding the keeper