England vs India 4th Test, Day 2 as it happened: Rohit, Rahul start strong after hosts take big lead
Highlights of day two of the fourth Test between England and India at The Oval.
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Day 1: Ashwin, Rahane and India’s strange decisions on Day 1 at The Oval
Follow Scroll.in’s full coverage of the England tour here.
India 1st innings: 191 all out.
England 1st innings: 290 all out.
Should Rohit Sharma get going on this wicket tomorrow, it could be a very long day of leather fetching for @englandcricket. 🇮🇳 #EngInd
— Fabian Cowdrey (@fkcowdrey) September 3, 2021
Good response from Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. India 43-0 at stumps, a deficit of 56. Another very good Test.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 3, 2021
Sound and watchful beginning by India in the crucial 2nd innings. #indiavsEngland
— Jatin Paranjape (@jats72) September 3, 2021
An excellent fightback by England had put them ahead in the game. India's primary target was for the openers to stay undefeated at close. That done, they need to overhaul the deficit for no loss. Then, we have a game!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 3, 2021
STUMPS
IND 43/0 after 16 overs: Rohit Sharma (20 off 56) and KL Rahul (22 off 41) remain unbeaten as India cut down England’s lead to 56 runs. The end of another fascinating day of Test cricket.
IND 42/0 after 15 overs: A couple of runs for India in that Robinson over. Final over of the day coming up. India will be mighty pleased with Rohit and Rahul’s performance so far.
IND 40/0 after 13 overs: Four! Again Rahul opens the face of the bat and guides it through gully and point for four. India trail by 59 runs now.
India has seen collapses in the last four Test innings. India has conceded 99 runs lead. But still there’s something about this team that makes you think that they’ll find a way to bounce back. And make a match of it. Perhaps, win it too. #EngvInd
— Wear a Mask. Get Vaccinated, India (@cricketaakash) September 3, 2021
IND 33/0 after 10 overs: Rahul gets an inside-edge off Woakes for four. Rohit and Rahul have done well to survive the first 10 overs. We’re getting closer to stumps, England will be desperate for a wicket here.
Innings taken by Indians to reach 15000 international runs:
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) September 3, 2021
333 - Virat Kohli
356 - Sachin Tendulkar
368 - Rahul Dravid
371 - Virender Sehwag
396 - ROHIT SHARMA
400 - Sourav Ganguly
434 - Mohammad Azharuddin
452 - MS Dhoni#ENGvIND #RohitSharma
Rohit Sharma becomes the eighth 🇮🇳 cricketer to score 15000 runs in international cricket 🤩👏#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #ENGvIND
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) September 3, 2021
England are finding some swing, but very little seam movement. 0.6 degrees so far, just over half what England found with the new ball in the first innings. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 3, 2021
IND 24/0 after 7 overs: Four! Rahul opens the face of the bat nicely and gets four past point. Both Indian batsmen have got to double-digit scores.
Bumrah fires a direct-hit and then assured three 99s at the same moment.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) September 3, 2021
✔️99-run lead by England
✔️99th not-out of Anderson
✔️Bumrah would stay on 99 wickets for longer time#ENGvIND
Jarvo 69 has been arrested on suspicion of assault and is in custody in south London
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) September 3, 2021
IND 19/0 after 5 overs: Another fine over from Anderson but Rohit was solid in defence. Not much movement for the English pacers.
All rounder averages in English conditions … Botham 34 Bat 27 Ball … Flintoff 35 Bat 36 Ball … Stokes 38 Bat 31 Ball … WOAKES 36 Bat 22 Ball !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No wonder they call him the Wizz #ENGvsIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 3, 2021
James Anderson in Tests is currently on......
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) September 3, 2021
99 not outs and
99 catches #ENGvIND #ENGvsIND
IND 15/0 after 3 overs: Dropped! Anderson gets Rohit’s edge but the ball goes right through Burns at second slip. He seemed to miss it completely. Big reprieve for India.
IND 11/0 after 2 overs: A boundary each for Rohit and Rahul in Robinson’s first over. Both square on the off side. They are the form batsmen for India and need to deliver again.
IND 1/0 after 1 over: Rohit gets off the mark but a tight first over from Anderson. The sun is shining at The Oval. The pitch is still good to bat on. India need a big opening partnership.
9.53 pm: Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are out in the middle. Crucial phase in the game for India coming up. James Anderson has the new ball in hand. Here we go!
England were 62/5. They finish with 290 to lead by 99. The kind of recovery that deserves a win you’d think.#ENGvIND
— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) September 3, 2021
ENGLAND ALL OUT FOR 290
Woakes the last man dismissed. This has been a sensational comeback with the bat from the hosts. They lead by 99 runs and are in firm control of the contest.
50 for Chris Woakes! What a comeback to Test cricket this has been for the all-rounder. England lead by 99 runs now.
Woakes has hit Bumrah for three fours in an over twice since tea. Previously, only one player had hit Bumrah for three boundaries in a Test over - de Kock, for SA, Cape Town, Jan 2018. (It's Bumrah's 24th Test.) #ENGvIND
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) September 3, 2021
9-down while lead of 65 has become 94 in a flash... and counting. This is so frustrating to watch. No plan whatsoever! #EngvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) September 3, 2021
This is now the highest score by an England Test No.9 since Mark Wood's 52 (79) in NZ, March 2018. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 3, 2021
ENG 284/9 after 82 overs: Huge over for England! Bumrah comes back to finish his over after getting some treatment but Woakes picks up two more fours. England lead by 93 now. Woakes is batting on 45 off 49.
Batting collapses, opposition tail wagging and physio visits to bowlers? 2011 called, it wants its time machine back.
— Tareque Laskar (@tarequelaskar) September 3, 2021
ENG 276/9 after 81.1 overs: Woakes picks up another boundary but the bigger worry for India is that Bumrah is holding his left calf and is down. Nervous times for the visitors.
ENG 267/9 after 80 overs: India have taken the second new ball. Umesh to start with it.
Ollie Pope scores in First Class cricket at Kennington Oval:
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) September 3, 2021
81 (Today), 37*, 0, 131, 245, 106, 221*, 69, 4, 114, 26, 158*, 32, 145, 34, 13*, 50, 0, 25
Insane average of 99.40.#ENGvsIND
India setting fields for Jimmy's reverse sweep is a stunning development
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) September 3, 2021
Shardul Thakur's average length in this Test is 8.2m from the batting stumps. That's the shortest for any bowler on either side. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 3, 2021
ENG 266/9 after 79 overs: Back-to-back fours for Woakes! He decides to go after Thakur and finds the boundaries. England lead by 75 now.
That was James Anderson's 58th reverse sweep in Test cricket, moving him into the top 10 players of that shot in the data era (2006-present). #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 3, 2021
England are ahead but they will be disappointed with the manner in which they have lost the last three wickets for, in doing so, they have kept India in the game.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 3, 2021
ENG 255/9 after 77.1 overs: WICKET! Ollie Robinson doesn’t last long. He attempts a slog and is clean bowled by Ravindra Jadeja.
#ENGvIND
— The Field (@thefield_in) September 3, 2021
Shardul Thakur ends a game-changing knock from Ollie Pope.
📹: England Cricketpic.twitter.com/3odPHf2fD7
Pope finally drags on, as he has threatened to on a few occasions, but that was a lovely 80 on his return to the Test side, and he has helped turn 62-5 into 250-8. England 59 ahead now, which is very handy.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 3, 2021
Proper Ian Bell dismissal from Pope.
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) September 3, 2021
The dab does him in, dragging back on.
Bonus for India with new ball coming.#ENGvIND
ENG 250/8 after 76.1 overs: WICKET! Shardul Thakur strikes! Ollie Pope batted magnificently today but he misses out on a century. He tried to cut it away but chopped it on and has to walk back for 81 off 159.
Chris Woakes is as dangerous a batsman as he is with the ball! He made India pay with his bat in 2018, this lead is growing #cricket #ENGvsIND
— Chandresh Narayanan (@chand2579) September 3, 2021
ENG 240/7 after 71 overs: Three fours for Woakes! Expensive start to the session from Bumrah. England lead by 49 runs now. This is such a crucial phase for India.
8.31 pm: We’re ready for the start of the final session on day two. India will look to wrap up the England innings quickly. The hosts lead by 36 runs with two wickets remaining. Pope and Woakes are at the crease.
England have a 36 runs lead. India hanging in there, but it is getting precarious. To remain sort of level in the match, must get remaining 3 wickets soonest after tea
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 3, 2021
unless the pitch and the conditions change dramatically, India would be hoping that they can score 250+ more than whatever England get in their first innings
— Amit (@nottheamit) September 3, 2021
TEA
ENG 227/7 after 70 overs: Shot! Umesh pitches it full and wide and Woakes gets off the mark with a gorgeous cover drive for four. Pope (74 off 143) is holding fort and England have a 36-run lead with two wickets in hand. India got the key wickets of Bairstow and Moeen in this session to remain in the game.
#ENGvIND
— The Field (@thefield_in) September 3, 2021
Big moment in the game as Jadeja breaks the partnership and sends Moeen packing.
📹: Sony Sportspic.twitter.com/42PyqdFjh4
ENG 222/7 after 67.2 overs: WICKET! Big, big breakthrough for India as Jadeja removes Moeen (35 off 71). The left-handed attempted a slog but the ball went straight up and Rohit took the catch. England lead by 31 runs with three wickets in hand.
Ravindra Jadeja bowling this series:
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 3, 2021
2 wickets
522 balls
Average 106.50#ENGvIND
#ENGvIND
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) September 3, 2021
Kohli would have loved a certain bowler here. England lead by 24 runs.
Ravi Jadeja didn’t move for that pull from Moeen Ali. There’s no finer sight when he is in this kind of form… no cleaner striker. Can he go on? Inspired by the vice-captaincy…
— Huw Turbervill (@huwzat) September 3, 2021
ENG 211/6 after 65 overs: Shot! Umesh comes from round the wicket and bangs it in, Moeen stands tall and pulls it cleanly over mid-wicket for four. England lead by 20.
Pope and Moeen have brought up their 50-run partnership. England lead by 11 runs. India have to strike soon. This could be the game right here.
#ENGvIND
— The Field (@thefield_in) September 3, 2021
That was some shot from Moeen Ali to level the scores. 👌🏽
📹: England cricketpic.twitter.com/mny7eK2sgP
Mo😍
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) September 3, 2021
ENG 191/6 after 61 overs: Moeen Ali with a stunning back foot punch for four and the scores are now level. This partnership has been solid for England and is taking the game away from India quickly.
ENG 185/6 after 59 overs: A quiet over from Thakur. England trail by six runs. Pope (61 off 113) and Moeen (14 off 42) have added 34 runs so far for the seventh wicket.
Siraj a bit off-colour, Shardul wayward, Bumrah-Umesh senior bowlers and only ones exerting any control. Jadeja underbowled.
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) September 3, 2021
Almost like India is missing someone in their five-bowler attack... Oh wait! #EngvInd
England are stitching together a 2nd crucial partnership. This could be the game. India need to break it. #INDvENG
— Jatin Paranjape (@jats72) September 3, 2021
Against the seamers, Ollie Pope has scored all around the ground today. He's been comparatively respectful against good length deliveries (2rpo), but has nailed full balls (5.1rpo) and short balls (4.3rpo). #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/tJ1RZ7JMLi
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 3, 2021
ENG 185/6 after 57 overs: Four! Thakur with a poor delivery – short and wide – and Moeen cuts it away comfortably. The left-hander then pulls it hard but Umesh makes an outstanding diving stop at fine-leg.
ENG 178/6 after 56 overs: Moeen survives! Bumrah gets the left-hander’s outside edge but it flies between second slip and gully for four. The right-arm pacer has been superb but unlucky today.
ENG 172/6 after 54 overs: Bumrah drifts onto Moeen’s pads and concedes four leg byes. England trail by just 19 now. They just need one more decent partnership to get into a really strong position.
I'll be the first to admit surprise that Pope has what will surely be England's top score in this innings. Has really sharpened his technique up so whoever's been coaching him should take lots of credit.
— Oliver Brett (@Oliver___Brett) September 3, 2021
#ENGvIND
— The Field (@thefield_in) September 3, 2021
Want a partnership broken? Dial Mohammed Siraj.
📹: Sony Sportspic.twitter.com/A7MFpIm9M4
ENG 160/6 after 50.2 overs: FIFTY for Ollie Pope! His sixth in Test cricket and first against India. This has been a quality knock from the right-hander. He’s doing a crucial job for England.
Siraj makes things happen…again. Bumrah in place of Jadeja now? India’s got a sniff…Ali has just walked in. #EngvInd
— Wear a Mask. Stay Safe, India (@cricketaakash) September 3, 2021
Siraj wins an lbw shout with his nip-backer, and it's another 30-odd for Bairstow. ENgland 151-6, still 40 behind.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 3, 2021
Again, huge movement for the Jonny Bairstow wicket ball. 1.3 degrees of movement back into the batsman - only one ball that Bairstow faced moved more. Excellent stuff from Mohammed Siraj. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 3, 2021
ENG 151/6 after 46.5 overs: WICKET! Siraj gets India the breakthrough and Bairstow (37 off 77) is out LBW! England lose the review as well as it shows three reds. Brilliant from Siraj, that delivery jagged back in sharply. Just the start India were hoping for after lunch. Moeen Ali is the new batsman.
Ollie Pope has been strong off his pads today. He's faced 11 balls from the seamers that would have hit his stumps, and he's scored 14 runs off them. Having had issues with LBWs of late, it's encouraging for the Surrey man. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 3, 2021
ENG 145/5 after 44 overs: Pope opens the face of his bat and gets it past backward point to pick up three. Tight over otherwise from Jadeja.
ENG 142/5 after 43 overs: Quiet start from Siraj, three runs come from the first over of the session. Jadeja to start proceedings from the other end.
6.10 pm: It’s time for the second session. India need to find a way to break the sixth-wicket partnership between Pope and Bairstow. England trail by 52 runs. Here we go!
Excellent comeback from England's middle order. After the dismissal of Malan, India were favourites with WinViz for the next 10-15 overs - but at Lunch, England have lifted their chances of victory to 58%, India just 36%. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 3, 2021
LUNCH
India started the session strongly with two wickets from Umesh but Pope (38 off 66) and Bairstow (34 off 63) have added a crucial unbeaten partnership of 77 runs for England. The hosts trail by 52 runs.
ENG 138/5 after 41 overs: A quiet over from Bumrah with a couple of valiant saves behind the stumps from Pant. India would be desperate to get a wicket here at the stroke of lunch. Jadeja to start his third over.
ENG 133/5 after 39 overs: Pope is batting wonderfully at the moment, he has made his way to 38 off 65. Bumrah joins the attack and bowls it a bit wide, Pope leans forward and plays a classy drive on the rise past cover for four.
ENG 129/5 after 38 overs: First over of spin in this match as Ravindra Jadeja joins the attack. He concedes just a single in his first over. England trail by 62 runs.
ENG 127/5 after 36 overs: Thakur bowled a one-run over but then Umesh ends up with another expensive over as Bairstow drives one past cover for four.
Security guards at English grounds: #Jarvo #EngvInd pic.twitter.com/0TE4S4vmS5
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) September 3, 2021
England have scored 40 runs in the last four overs, attacking 40% of their deliveries - but with 28% false shots. Risk and reward for Bairstow and Pope. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 3, 2021
Jarvo is back on the field of play. And this time he’s physically bumped into Olie Pope. I hope nobody is seeing humour in it anymore. Appalling that he’s allowed to attend every game in this series. #EngvInd
— Wear a Mask. Stay Safe, India (@cricketaakash) September 3, 2021
If some numpty can get on the field (for the third time this series) what's stopping a genuinely malicious person doing the same and throwing something more harmful than a ball at the players? Massive issue over security IMO #ENGvIND
— Chris Stocks (@StocksC_cricket) September 3, 2021
ENG 119/5 after 34 overs: That’s the 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow. It has come in quick time – 56 balls. England trail India by just 72 runs now. Bairstow with a crisp on drive for four, before flicking one past mid-wicket for four. Umesh with an expensive over this time.
I think a few people need to be sacked at grounds in England. This is a very serious security lapse and it just continues. Not even a prank anymore. #Jarvo #Idiot.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 3, 2021
That moron Jarvo runs on again, barges into Bairstow, and is jeered by the crowd. He must be buying tickets off touts. Can't see how he gets in otherwise.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 3, 2021
England score 28 in the first two overs after drinks - nearly 15% of India's total.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 3, 2021
ENG 106/5 after 32 overs: And now Bairstow hits Siraj for a hat-trick of fours. The runs are flowing for England after the terrific opening spells from Bumrah and Umesh.
Pope giving Thakur a taste of his own medicine. four boundaries in a row (including one set of leg byes) to get England going.
— Rory Dollard (@thervd) September 3, 2021
ENG 94/5 after 31 overs: Four fours in a row for England! Shardul Thakur erring in line and Ollie Pope taking full toll. India can’t afford to release the pressure here.
At some stage teams across the globe will realise that preparing green-tops against India isn’t a great tactic. If anything…it’s counterproductive. #EngvInd
— Wear a Mask. Stay Safe, India (@cricketaakash) September 3, 2021
This pitch is good to bat on but is also good to bowl on. Hitting the seam and discipline with line are the mantras. #IndvsEng
— Jatin Paranjape (@jats72) September 3, 2021
ENG 78/5 after 30 overs: Mohammed Siraj, who bowled the first over of the day, returns to the attack and bowls a maiden to Bairstow. There was an outside edge in that over but it fell well short of third slip.
ENG 78/5 after 29 overs: Shardul Thakur joins the attack and gets some shape away from the right-handed Pope immediately. But he drifts onto the pads with the last ball and gets clipped past square-leg for two.
ENG 76/5 after 28 overs: Four! Bumrah bowls a sizzling bouncer, Pope attempts a pull but the ball hits his vizor and flies past Pant to the fine-leg fence. Bumrah has been unlucky to not be rewarded in this spell.
World class opening spells from Umesh and Bumrah at the start of day two. Relentless pressure.#ENGvIND
— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) September 3, 2021
ENG 62/5 after 25 overs: India lose a review! Umesh struck Bairstow in front and the umpire said not out. Kohli went for the review and it showed the ball missing leg stump.
#ENGvIND
— The Field (@thefield_in) September 3, 2021
Top delivery from Umesh and how good was that catch from Rohit! 🔥
📹: Sony Sportspic.twitter.com/khsZev8JgC
One of the most pleasing aspects of watching India in the field is the catches they have have been taking in the slips. It seems not too long ago that simply couldn't hold on to anything. Super catch by Rohit Sharma. pic.twitter.com/g7U3Z0urPE
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) September 3, 2021
That was substantial seam movement from Umesh to dismiss Malan. The wicket ball seamed 1.1 degrees away from the left-hander - only three balls he faced moved more off the pitch. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 3, 2021
Umesh on fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥 @y_umesh well done #IndvsEng test
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 3, 2021
Umesh goes round the wicket to Malan, who fiddles to second slip, where Rohit takes a good catch. Unlike England, India are holding their chances, and this game is moving on apace. England 62-5, and in trouble.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 3, 2021
ENG 62/5 after 24.3 overs: WICKET! Umesh gets his third! And it’s the in-form Malan who is walking back for 31 off 67. Superb diving catch from Rohit at second slip.
Bumrah looks extra hungry today. #IndvsEng
— Jatin Paranjape (@jats72) September 3, 2021
ENG 62/4 after 24 overs: Brilliant diving stop from Siraj at cover. That was another fine over from Bumrah. He beat Pope’s outside edge with a delivery that was angled in and nipped away.
150 Test wickets and counting for @y_umesh 💪💪#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/KmfbJ3bbJY
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 3, 2021
ENG 58/4 after 22 overs: Another world class over from Bumrah, he’s not giving an inch to Pope. The ball is skidding on nicely and not giving much time to the batsmen.
150 Test wickets Umesh Yadav.
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) September 3, 2021
96 @ 24.54 at home Tests
54 @ 40.38 in away matchespic.twitter.com/UqwigX7JEY
ENG 58/4 after 21 overs: Four! Umesh bowls it on the pads and Malan flicks it past square-leg to give England their first boundary of the day. But Umesh comes back well to not concede another run in the over.
ENG 54/4 after 20 overs: Superb over from Bumrah to Pope. Hit the bat hard and kept it just outside off stump. The ball still has some shine and India would want to keep chipping away.
And there's the problem with nightwatchmen: it usually means an early wicket next morning, and extra scoreboard pressure. Overton carves Yadav into the slips, and England are 53-4.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 3, 2021
ENG 53/4 after 18.4 overs: WICKET! Umesh Yadav has removed Craig Overton in the second over of the day. Good catch from Virat Kohli at first slip. Just the start India wanted. Ollie Pope is the new batsman.
ENG 53/3 after 18 overs: Siraj starts off with a maiden. Not much movement for him but he kept a tight line to Malan outside off. The clouds are hovering about at the moment.
3.30 pm: Malan and Overton are at the crease. Siraj has the ball. Here we go!
Hello and welcome to Day 2 of the 4th Test.
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 3, 2021
How many wickets do you reckon our bowlers will pick up in the first hour?#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/XW2hVC51vQ
An action-packed first day as this brilliant series continues to deliver
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 3, 2021
🏴 #ENGvIND 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/lILyD8xTw5
Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of the second day’s play in the fourth Test between India and England at The Oval. The game is nicely poised. Day one had another Indian batting failure but the day was, to an extent, rescued by the bowlers who took three English wickets that included captain Joe Root before stumps.