TEST 1, DAY 4 REVIEW - EXCITING DAY 5?

England spinners took charge 

Day 4 began with India trailing by 218 runs and in need of a big partnership. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were the apt duo for this moment. But fate had some other plans, as unusual dismissals of both batsmen gave England a slight upper hand. Although there was still some batting left in the home side but overcoming 537 runs looked a bit difficult.

Pic credits : CricketCountry 

Session 1 India added 92 runs with the loss of 2 wickets. Zafar Ansari's delivery kissed the top of stumps after Rahane failed to judge the line of ball and was caught in dilemma to play either flick or pull. But still India believed they will narrow down the gap as skipper was in the middle. Adil Rashid’s short delivery, Kohli went deep into his crease to play the shot without any idea that in the process his left leg has touched the stumps and the bails were off, first noticed by the wicketkeeper and England began celebrating as it was the most crucial wicket.
Now Wridhiman Saha and R. Ashwin had the responsibility to save India from trailing by a big margin in the first innings. England dropped a few catches to help India in their battle. At lunch India were 411/6.

India fought hard 

Pic credits : ndtvsports.com

Saha and Ashwin continued after tea but Saha got out after trying to cut the ball but giving the catch to wicketkeeper off a Moeen Ali’s delivery. India were still behind by 112 runs. But India continued losing wickets at regular intervals and ended their innings at 488. Ashwin scored 70 runs and was last batsman to be dismissed. It was his 11th test fifty. Adil Rashid was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 wickets and 2 wickets each for Ansari and Moeen Ali. India's last 5 batsmen added 129 runs.
England had a lead of 49 runs with four sessions left.

England in great position

Pic credits : The Telegraph

In the third session, there were over 30 overs left in the play and India needed early wickets to put pressure on England. 19 year old Haseeb Hameed and skipper Alastair Cook played beautifully and made no error. They put to bed any such notions that England would lose this test and with their batting gave themselves an outside chance to win.
Hameed scored a fifty, playing the spinners so comfortably in the subcontinent. Alastair Cook accompanied him and despite early some early scares England managed to end the day without losing any wicket and owning the last session.

England were on 114/0 and lead India by 163 runs. Hameed on 62* and Cook on 46*.

 It will be interesting to see how the final day unfolds. A draw or a win for either team?


©sportskafun.blogspot.com