England vs India 4th Test, Day 3 as it happened: Kohli, Jadeja build partnership before early stumps
Highlights of day three 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
Day 2: How a Moeen Ali brain fade gifted India a lifeline in the Oval Test
Follow Scroll.in’s full coverage of the England tour here.
India 1st innings: 191 all out.
England 1st innings: 290 all out.
STUMPS
The umpires have had enough and we have an early close due to bad light. Well, that was a solid day for the Indian team but England’s double strike has set this match up nicely for day four.
With a lovely last two days set up, and play stopped early, let's have this debate.
— Snehal Pradhan #MaskUp (@SnehalPradhan) September 4, 2021
Should Ashwin be in this XI? If yes, who should he replace?
IND 270/3 after 92 overs: Play has been stopped due to bad light. If the light improves, we could still have play till 11 pm IST. India lead by 171 runs. Kohli (22 off 37) and Jadeja (9 off 33) are unbeaten.
What does a player do when he starts getting out playing a pull shot that has been a strength previously?
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) September 4, 2021
Kohli has made a seriously good start to his innings. His judgement has been impeccable #ENGvIND
— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) September 4, 2021
IND 270/3 after 92 overs: Four! Moeen drops it short and Jadeja whips it to the square-leg fence. India wouldn’t mind this – facing spinners and adding to the score instead of going off.
Pity England don’t have a left-arm spinner to bring on right now. Would’ve been a good matchup…#ENGvIND
— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) September 4, 2021
Well, well. The light has deteriorated to an extent that the umpires have disallowed fast bowlers from operating. Root is coming on to bowl.
IND 263/3 after 90 overs: Two fours! Kohli with two more front-foot drives past cover. He loves that area and isn’t holding back. Expensive over from Anderson, India lead by 164 runs.
0.4 degrees of swing with the second new ball so far, just over half of what England found in the first 10 overs of the innings. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
IND 254/3 after 88 overs: Anderson with a tight line to Jadeja in that over. Kept it just outside off from over the wicket and moved it both ways off the pitch.
India's lead 147* runs
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 4, 2021
Only 2 sides have won chasing over 250 at the Oval since the inaugural Test here in 1880.
Eng 263/9 won by 1 wkt in the 1902 #Ashes Test, thanks to Gilbert Jessop's blinder (104 in 77 mins).
Then, WI 255/2 won in 1963.#INDvsEND #IndvEng#ENGvIND #EngvsInd
IND 254/3 after 87 overs: Shot! Robinson pitches it right up, after an unsuccessful LBW appeal earlier, and Kohli plays a trademark cover-drive for four. India lead by 155 runs.
IND 246/3 after 86 overs: Kohli takes a single off the first ball with an inside edge before Jadeja plays out the rest of that Anderson over. There was a loud appeal for caught-behind but the umpire said not out and Root, who has one review remaining, didn’t go for DRS. The ball seemed to have hit the pad.
Jadeja at 5 is a move I like. If you're gonna bet on his batting (and that's why he's in the XI), bet big. Give him every opportunity to succeed in situations where he doesn't have to bat with the tail.
— Snehal Pradhan #MaskUp (@SnehalPradhan) September 4, 2021
IND 245/3 after 85 overs: Maiden over from Robinson to Jadeja. The left-hander bringing his front leg out nicely and defending with a straight bat. India lead by 146 runs.
Test cricket is the stupidest and best, isn't it? #EngvInd
— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) September 4, 2021
lol cricket is a ridiculous sport that makes fools of us all. And long may it do so. #ENGvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) September 4, 2021
IND 245/3 after 84 overs: Jadeja picks up a streaky boundary past point off Robinson before Anderson bowls another testing over to Kohli. These are tough times for the Indian batsmen with the second new ball and dark clouds hovering.
IND 237/3 after 82 overs: Now Anderson bowls a fiery over to Virat Kohli. The Oval is incredibly loud at the moment, the English players are pumped too. India have been pushed into a corner out of nowhere. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja has been sent ahead of Ajinkya Rahane at No 5 again.
IND 237/3 after 81 overs: WICKET! Oh dear, India have lost both their set batsmen in the first over with the second new ball. Ollie Robinson doing the job for England. This time Cheteshwar Pujara (61 off 127) gets caught out after an inside-edge.
Such a classic Rohit Sharma innings would have been incomplete without such a classic Rohit Sharma dismissal
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) September 4, 2021
You would not believe that. To the first ball with the second new ball, Rohit top-edges a paddle off Robinson to long leg, where Woakes hangs on. Bizarre. Anyway, Rohit walks off for a magnificent 127, and Kohli is exposed to a brand-new ball.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 4, 2021
Oh dear Rohit. No daddy hundred today. But he has done the hard yards. Time for the rest to build on this.#ENGvIND
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) September 4, 2021
IND 236/2 after 80.1 overs: WICKET! Rohit is out off the first ball with the second new ball! Again, he perishes playing the pull shot. Robinson banged it in and it didn’t bounce enough. Rohit top-edged it to fine-leg. He walks back for 127 off 256.
IND 233/1 after 79 overs: Now Rohit picks up a boundary down the ground and Root is at the receiving end. Rohit and Pujara bring up their 150-run partnership. Two senior batsmen coming together to change the game for their team.
IND 228/1 after 78 overs: Shot! Moeen gives it some air and Pujara steps down to get to the pitch of the ball and drive it to the right of mid-off for four.
He didn’t remove his helmet after getting to 100 and has looked serene at the crease since tea. Rohit is determined for a big one here.#ENGvIND
— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) September 4, 2021
IND 217/1 after 75 overs: Captain Joe Root brings himself into the attack and concedes just a single in his first over. England are trying to contain the run-flow till they can get their hands on the second new ball, which is five overs away now.
IND 212/1 after 73 overs: What a shot! England don’t keep a third-man and Rohit plays the most delightful late-cut for four. It was slightly short and wide from Woakes, Rohit stood absolute still and opened the face of his bat at the last moment. Made that look so easy.
Rohit Sharma's recent tours to England
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) September 4, 2021
Average 57.66 vs Eng, Tests 2021
Average 81.00 in World Cup 2019
Average 77.00 vs Eng, ODIs 2018
Average 68.50 vs Eng, T20Is 2018
Average 76.00 Champions Trophy 2017
Pujara's backfoot play has been both heartwarming and skilful.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 4, 2021
Pujara carrying the legacy forward with bat and with eyes. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/UDTumpss7t
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) September 4, 2021
Cheteshwar Pujara - 50 in 103 balls!
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 4, 2021
He now has reached a Test fifty...
- 29 times in 100 or more balls!
- 20 times in less than 100 balls!
His quickest: 54 balls v Aus at Delhi in 2013
His slowest: 196 balls v Aus at Brisbane in 2021#INDvsEND #IndvEng#ENGvIND #EngvsInd
Fifty for Pujara, who keeps making second-innings contributions.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 4, 2021
Cheteshwar Pujara batting average in 2021 Tests:
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
1st Innings - 19.27
2nd Innings - 53.00#ENGvIND
Terrific fifty for Che Pujara. Weird how he's been so good in the second innings this series, and Anderson's bunny in the first.
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) September 4, 2021
IND 206/1 after 71.2 overs: FIFTY FOR PUJARA! His 31st Test half-century. He came out with aggression and has shown his class as a batsman in a crucial partnership for India.
IND 202/1 after 71 overs: Woakes starts the session with a maiden over. Rohit looking as calm as ever and coming behind the ball nicely in defence.
IND 202/1 after 70 overs: Rohit picks two and Pujara a single in the first over of the session, which was bowled by Overton. The right-arm quick had some words for Pujara in that over but the right-hander didn’t seem bothered.
India are the first touring side to reach 200-1 in England since Australia in 2015. #ENGVIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
Rohit Sharma has been building for a while to that first test century outside India. Hard work and discipline paying off.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) September 4, 2021
8.32 pm: The players are back on the field for the post-tea session. England are 11 overs away from the second new ball. Another good session for India here and the hosts will be in big trouble.
England have bowled an extremely tight line to Rohit Sharma. 83% of the deliveries they have bowled have been in the channel outside off, or in line with the stumps. Excellent control, excellent resistance. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/A8A8Gbfk5g
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
Most international hundreds in England by
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) September 4, 2021
Indians:-
9* - Rohit Sharma
8 - Rahul Dravid
7 - Sachin Tendulkar
Visiting openers:-
9* - Rohit Sharma🇮🇳
8 - Gordon Greenidge🏝️
5 - Graeme Smith🇿🇦
5 - Mark Taylor🇦🇺#ENGvIND
First overseas hundred…first of many. 👏👏 #EngvInd #RoSuperHitSharma pic.twitter.com/tXTbT4Ddlv
— Wear a Mask. Get Vaccinated, India (@cricketaakash) September 4, 2021
What a tour. He deserved a pitch like this for batting so masterfully in far more difficult conditions in the Tests before this one.
— Karthik Krishnaswamy (@the_kk) September 4, 2021
A dreamy session for India, who now lead by 100 with nine wickets left. England were invisible between lunch and tea.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 4, 2021
TEA
IND 199/1 after 69 overs: Well, that was an absolutely dominant session by India. Rohit Sharma (103 off 218) and Cheteshwar Pujara (48 off 97) have led the visitors to a 100-run lead.
13% leaves for Rohit Sharma on route to his century. None of his other seven centuries in Test cricket have seen him leave the ball more. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
Indian batsmen reaching their hundred with a SIX on most occasions in Tests:
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) September 4, 2021
6 Sachin Tendulkar
3 Rohit Sharma
2 Gautam Gambhir
2 Rishabh Pant#ENGvIND #ENGvsIND
Visiting players to score centuries in all three formats while opening in England:
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 4, 2021
Rohit Sharma.
End of list 🤷♀️#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/x7CzDjTNhx
India in the Oval Test 2021
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 4, 2021
1st inns: 191/10 in 61.3 overs
2nd inns: 195/1 in 63.5 overs (with Rohit's six!) #INDvsEND #IndvEng#ENGvIND #EngvsInd
Well done Rohit Sharma. No one deserves a Century as much as he does. All these days the 100 balls faced was >>> 100 runs scored. He has got the runs now. Toughest job in cricket currently and he has shown his class. #ENGvIND
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) September 4, 2021
#ENGvIND
— The Field (@thefield_in) September 4, 2021
What a way to get to your first overseas Test ton! Rohit Sharma, take a bow! 🌟
📹: Sony Sportspic.twitter.com/gjmz4dpdGJ
Rohit's hundred is a fitting tribute to late Vasu Paranjape who had seen him as a young cricketer in the Mumbai U-17 camp. Vasoo sir saw Rohit and wanted him in the team. Read the story in the book: Cricket Drona: For the Love of Vasu Paranjape
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) September 4, 2021
Rohit Sharma has scored eight Test centuries and each of them has come in an odd year.
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) September 4, 2021
2013 : 2
2017 : 1
2019 : 3
2021 : 2#ENGvIND
The best ODI opener ever, a bloke with the second best average as a Test opener, and the captain of the world's best T20 team, walk into a bar. Their name's Rohit Sharma
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) September 4, 2021
A top class innings from a high class player. Take a bow #RohitSharma .
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) September 4, 2021
Could well be a series defining innings.
Come on, let’s get a big lead. pic.twitter.com/2M48YepWO2
📸📸💯@ImRo45 | #TeamIndia https://t.co/1QCXkHC7lp pic.twitter.com/1mGAA8oLHE
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 4, 2021
Oh yeahhhhhhh SHAM ❤️ love that brotherman.
— DK (@DineshKarthik) September 4, 2021
What a time to do it 🥳 #Hitman#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/WY3y7Zpmo5
All Kids watching , here’s your role model ! If you put your mind to something even if it’s against your natural instinct you can achieve it ! Pure class ! @ImRo45 you beauty ! #IndvsEng
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) September 4, 2021
Joe Root has been tremendous, but already, my Man of the Series is Rohit Sharma.#ENGvIND #Rohit
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) September 4, 2021
And just to add, opening in Test cricket in England has to be just about the hardest job in the game. He’s looked ridiculously comfortable for most of the series. Today’s century is a just reward.
— Rahul Fernandes (@newspaperwallah) September 4, 2021
Getting your first overseas test century with a 6. Rohit Sharma, you absolute gem.
— Clive (@_vanillawallah) September 4, 2021
Virat punching the air after Rohit's century needs to be played on a loop.
— Vipul (@Sporty_Baba) September 4, 2021
💯 for HITMAN
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 4, 2021
First away Test ton for @ImRo45 👏👏
He also breaches the 3K Test-run mark.#TeamIndia #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/KOxvtHQFGB
Critics: Rohit doesn't have an away test ton.
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) September 4, 2021
Rohit: #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/dcBsgNoyQL
Shaandar Zabardast Zindabad.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 4, 2021
When the going gets tough the tough get going. Outstanding first overseas Test hundred from #RohitSharma .
Class ! pic.twitter.com/aw3NYCuO5y
Indian cricket has waited and waited... and then waited some more... for THIS Rohit Sharma.
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) September 4, 2021
Test centurion outside India... that too as an opener... Finally... and what a shot to bring it up with!!#EngvInd #IndvsEng
This is Rohit Sharma’s ninth century in England across formats - the most by an Indian player, going past Rahul Dravid (8). #ENGvIND
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) September 4, 2021
#RohitSharma reaches century in rousing style, clouting Moeen for 6. Tremendous knock it has been, his ton oversea and his best given the circumstances 👏👏
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 4, 2021
Rohit Sharma to his first overseas Test hundred with a six down the ground! Thoroughly deserved – he's having a superb series.
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) September 4, 2021
And finally, Rohit Sharma has his first away Test century. And he made sure it is a moment we won't likely forget by hitting the most elegant of sixes to get there.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) September 4, 2021
That's the third time Rohit Sharma has brought up a Test ton with a six - all three have come against off spinners (Piedt, Samuels, Ali). #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
Rohit Sharma his 8th Test century in 204 balls!
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 4, 2021
The slowest in his Test career.
His debut century at Kolkata against West Indies in 2013 came in 194 balls!#INDvsEND #IndvEng#ENGvIND #EngvsInd
Rohit Sharma brings up his first Test century outside India with a straight six off Moeen Ali. And it may win his team this series. Brilliant stuff.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 4, 2021
How fitting that @ImRo45 should get to his first overseas 100 with a six.. the white ball champion is now a red ball master. Few batsmen have batted better in this series: when talent marries temperament it’s pure magic as Rohit has shown in this series. Salute!👍👍 #Rohit
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 4, 2021
CENTURY FOR ROHIT SHARMA! And what a way to get there! He steps down to Moeen Ali and thumps it straight back for six. His eighth Test ton and first overseas in the longest format. This has been such a classy knock.
IND188 /1 after 63.3 overs: England lose their second review. Pujara was struck on the pad by Moeen and England thought there was glove involved as the ball popped up to silly-point. But the review showed it was just pad.
Lead 83 now. The fear is in the England camp.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 4, 2021
IND 184/1 after 62.4 overs: 100-run partnership between Rohit and Pujara! The two right-handers have been in perfect sync and played some delightful strokes. India lead by 85 runs now with nine wickets still remaining. England under the pump.
84* is now Rohit Sharma's highest in an away Test match!
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 4, 2021
At Lord's he had made 83#INDvsEND #IndvEng#ENGvIND #EngvsInd
Rohit Sharma currently has 1274 runs in away Tests, the seventh most for any player without an overseas century. Can he get off this list before Tea? #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
IND 179/1 after 62 overs: Four! Another aggressive shot from Rohit against Moeen. It was tossed up in line with the stumps and the right-hander swept it in the air over the in-field. And another four! This time Rohit plays the delicate sweep to send it right of short-fine. High class batting this.
Rohit Sharma's scored 30 of his runs in-front of square on the offside. Compare that to his first fifty of the series, when just 7% of his runs came through this area, and it's clear to see how much confident Rohit is attacking in these conditions. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/o8kCq7KiC3
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
3000 runs in Test cricket for Hitman 🙌
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) September 4, 2021
He's on a milestone spree currently 🔥#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #ENGvIND
IND 168/1 after 60 overs: Shot! Moeen tosses it up and Rohit steps out to drive it in the air through the vacant cover region for four. Nervous times for England.
Rohit Sharma is that rare batsmen who looks as good in defence as attack.
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) September 4, 2021
Even more rare, he looks just as relaxed in defence and attack.#ENGvIND #RohitSharma
IND 163/1 after 59 overs: Anderson returns to the attack and bowls a quiet over. Solid defence from Rohit. He is batting on 73 off 183. India lead by 64 runs.
Patience and proper plan @ImRo45 Top batting. #INDvENG
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 4, 2021
IND 162/1 after 57 overs: Moeen Ali continues his spell and Rohit and Pujara rotate the strike comfortably. India lead by 63 runs now.
IND 153/1 after 54 overs: India lead by 54 runs. With nine wickets in hand, this is a solid position to be in. Pujara, meanwhile, seems to be struggling with his ankle. He’s getting some more treatment.
KL Rahul 315
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) September 4, 2021
Rohit Sharma 303*
This is the first time ever that two Indian opening batsmen have both scored 300+ runs in a Test series against England - home or away.
Only the fourth such instance in a series outside India.#ENGvIND #ENGvsIND
The pitch has just started to lose it's pace a little. England's seamers have responded by bowling a tighter, stump-to-stump line - 20% of their deliveries would have gone on to hit the stumps today, more than any other in the Test. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
Such an impressive knock from Pujara. Three cracking square-cuts for four, an upper cut for four, a big pull over square-leg for four, a powerful cover-drive with full extension of the arms for four. He hasn’t merely been positive, this is legit aggression.#ENGvIND
— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) September 4, 2021
IND 138/1 after 50 overs: Four! Woakes bangs it in and Pujara brings out the upper cut. A play-and-miss after that but no harm done. He has raced to 34 off 46.
IND 125/1 after 48 overs: Shot! A picture-perfect cover-drive for four from Rohit. Woakes erred in length and the right-hander didn’t miss out. India will want to cash in in the next 32 overs till the second new ball is available.
Another 50 for Rohit, who's having a very good series at the top of the order. A potential reason for that has been his patience, and reluctance to attack good balls - almost all of his boundaries this summer have come when bowlers have erred from good lines and lengths. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/Z9gEl1ZlJP
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
Rohit Sharma gets to his 15th half-century in Test cricket. India lead by 21 runs with nine wickets in hand. England must feel Burnt.#ENGvIND
— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) September 4, 2021
Third half-century for Rohit Sharma in this series 🤩
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) September 4, 2021
Keep going, Hitman 💙#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/iZrqIsnxs0
Rohit Sharma - 50 in 145 balls - the slowest fifty of his Test career!
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 4, 2021
His previous slowest 50 came in 132 balls at SCG in Jan 2015 (during his 53 in 133b).
His only other 100plus-ball fifty came in the previous Test at Leeds (in 125 balls)#INDvsEND #IndvEng#ENGvIND #EngvsInd
15,000 International runs ☑️
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) September 4, 2021
11,000 International runs as an opener ☑️
And a fine, fine fifty ☑️
Rohit Sharma, well played again! 👏#ENGvIND #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings
Rohit Sharma has faced 700-plus balls for the first time ever in a Test series.
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) September 4, 2021
He also becomes the first Indian batsman to score 1,000 plus runs this year across formats.#ENGvIND
IND 120/1 after 46.3 overs: FIFTY FOR ROHIT SHARMA! He got a couple of lives but has looked solid for the most part. India needed runs at the top of the order and the experienced right-hander delivers again.
Cheteshwar Pujara rolls his ankle over.
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 4, 2021
After receiving treatment, he is back on his feet and continues to bat💪💪#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/yLsam8DpRu
Update: Pujara is back up now and ready to take guard. Remains to be seen if his movement will be hampered after that ankle twist.
There are only three other overseas Test series where Indian openers combined faced more balls than this series in the record books.
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) September 4, 2021
1740 balls in England, 1979
1665 balls in Pakistan, 1982/83
1578 balls in Australia, 1977/78#ENGvIND
Most balls faced by Rohit Sharma in a Test series:
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) September 4, 2021
745* - vs ENG in 2021 (away)
683 - vs SA in 2019 (home)
595 - vs ENG in 2021 (home)
428 - vs WI in 2013 (home)
387 - vs AUS in 2014-15 (away)
This is the first Test series where Rohit Sharma faced 700 balls.#ENGvIND
IND 117/1 after 44.5 overs: Shot! Second square-cut for four by Pujara in this innings. But on dear, he has twisted his ankle badly after playing that shot. He ran to the other end and as he tapped his back to turn and go back, his left foot got stuck in the grass and his ankle twisted severely. He seems to be in a lot of pain and the physio is out.
Just how good is Chris Woakes in these conditions… #EngvInd pic.twitter.com/7vK6wR9xUJ
— Wear a Mask. Get Vaccinated, India (@cricketaakash) September 4, 2021
IND 111/1 after 44 overs: Wonderful delivery from Woakes. It was angled in with a scrambled seam and nipped away. Rohit’s outside edge was beaten and there was a sound, but it was of the bat hitting the pad. Lovely symmetry in the score at the moment.
IND 110/1 after 43 overs: Two runs come from that first over after lunch bowled by Overton. Pujara got one on the pads and flicked it nicely past square-leg.
Cmon Sun please come out ! Give our batsman good conditions. It’s always been cloudy and tough for them this series. #IndvsEng
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) September 4, 2021
6.10 pm: Right, we’re ready for the start of the second session. India will be in control of the match if they win this next period. They lead by nine runs. Rohit and Pujara are at the crease. Here we go!
India's session, but they need another good session after lunch: one wicket down, only nine runs ahead. Loving this Test.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 4, 2021
LUNCH
IND 108/1 after 42 overs: England got the wicket of KL Rahul but India did really well in that session. They lead by nine runs. Rohit Sharma (47 off 131) is looking solid and Cheteshwar Pujara (14 off 21) has started confidently.
IND 107/1 after 41 overs: Four! Overton drops it short and Rohit pulls it away comfortably. The right-hander moves on to 47 off 128.
IND 103/1 after 40 overs: England lose their first review. Moeen came on to bowl his first over of the innings and pitched it wide. Rohit shouldered his arms but the ball turned and hit his front pad. The umpire said not out and Root took the review, but it showed the ball missing leg comfortably. The scores are level. India get the lead! Moeen drops it short and Pujara pulls it up and over for four. The visitors will be pleased with their fightback so far, they have nine wickets in hand.
IND 98/1 after overs: Shot! It was short and wide and Pujara hit a blazing square cut for four. India trail by just one now.
IND 94/1 after 38 overs: Rohit survives! Anderson pitched it on a length and Rohit went for the on drive but was in no control. Luckily for him, the fielder at mid-on didn’t see the ball and moved the wrong way, it landed just wide of him. Rohit then ends the over with a well-controlled cover drive for four.
IND 88/1 after 37 overs: Shot! Robinson pitches it right up and Pujara plays a powerful drive to the right of mid-off for four. That should give a lot of confidence to the India No 3.
IND 84/1 after 36 overs: Cheteshwar Pujara gets off the mark with an inside-edge to fine-leg for one. That was another fine over from Anderson.
#ENGvIND
— The Field (@thefield_in) September 4, 2021
India's opening stand is broken and it's that man James Anderson again.
📹: Sony Sportspic.twitter.com/vJTinUTzln
Took a terrific delivery from Anderson to dismiss Rahul, who was otherwise looking secure. India still 16 runs in deficit and the pressure rebuilds
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 4, 2021
IND 83/1 after 34 overs: WICKET! Anderson gets Rahul. The ball went past the outside edge and there was a sound. The umpire said not out but the review showed a spike. Rahul isn’t happy with that decision but he has to walk back for 46 off 101.
James Anderson bowling average in Tests last three home summers:
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
1st Innings - 19.46
2nd Innings - 114.33#ENGvIND
IND 82/0 after 32 overs: A beauty from Anderson to beat Rohit’s outside edge. It was angled in with a scrambled seam and nipped away. England have done well to dry up the runs in the last half hour.
IND 80/0 after 30 overs: Just a single from that Anderson over after drinks. There is still no sunshine at The Oval. England will feel they can keep creating chances in these conditions.
Fairly actioned packed first hour, Rahul playing and missing outside the off-stump, top edging a hook for 6, taking a late but rewarding decision review, Rohit surviving a chance. But both openers still there, which should ease nerves in the Indian dressing room
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) September 4, 2021
All that being said, England have had little luck this morning, especially Woakes.
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 4, 2021
Rohit and Rahul have ridden their luck this morning but they’ve survived the first hour. Big advantage for India, they trail by 20.#ENGvIND
— Aditya Chaturvedi (@aditya_c19) September 4, 2021
IND 79/0 after 29 overs: Rohit finds the middle of the bat this time and gets it through cover and mid-off for two. Good over by Robinson.
Six drops for England in this Test. The last time they dropped this many in a home Test was the last game of the 2019 Ashes - also at the Oval. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
England are missing Jofra and Stokes. Before this Test, they were also missing Woakes. And in between all this…they’ve been missing a lot of catches. Like a lot of them. #EngvInd
— Wear a Mask. Get Vaccinated, India (@cricketaakash) September 4, 2021
IND 77/0 after 27 overs: Now Rohit survives! He pushed tentatively at it again and got the edge, but the ball went wide of Rory Burns at second slip and he couldn’t hold on. England’s catching in this match has been quite poor.
IND 73/0 after 25 overs: Rohit pushes at a wide delivery from Robinson, he wasn’t in control, but it goes through point and gully for two.
Umpiring in the first two Tests was top-class…standard seemed to have come down since then. #EngvInd
— Wear a Mask. Get Vaccinated, India (@cricketaakash) September 4, 2021
KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma's opening partnership has scored 288 runs this series. That puts them into the top 20 for most runs scored by an opening partnership in a Test series in England. #ENGvIND
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) September 4, 2021
IND 71/0 after 23.4 overs: Rahul survives! He hit the first six of the Indian innings earlier in the Woakes over and then got struck in front. The umpire raised his finger but DRS showed the ball missing leg.
IND 64/0 after 23 overs: Shot! Rahul leans forwards and plays a delightful cover drive for four. Ollie Robinson returns to the attack and concedes seven runs in his first over of the day. India’s openers have safely negotiated the first half hour of the day.
IND 57/0 after 22 overs: Woakes beats Rahul’s edge with a beauty, the right-hander then has a wild swing at a short and wide delivery and misses. Rahul then ends the over with two through the slip cordon and gully.
IND 55/0 after 21 overs: A maiden over from Anderson. He isn’t getting movement in the air so he’s doing well to hit the deck and get some seam movement.
11000 international runs and counting as an opener for @ImRo45 👏#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/35r2rz2jjm
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 4, 2021
IND 55/0 after 20 overs: Four! Rahul gets his first runs of the day with an elegant straight drive for four. The Indian openers are looking solid. There isn’t much movement in the air for the English pacers. Five runs come from that Woakes over.
Third 50-run opening partnership between Rohit and Rahul in this series 🙌#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #ENGvIND
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) September 4, 2021
IND 49/0 after 18 overs: Solid by Chris Woakes, starts his day with a maiden. Kept testing Rahul just outside off.
IND 49/0 after 17 overs: A bit of an LBW shout against Rohit but no harm done. He follows that up with a gorgeous straight drive for four. The important thing is that there isn’t much cloud cover. The pitch looks wonderful for batting.
3.30 pm: Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are at the crease and James Anderson has the ball in hand. This is a massive session for India, they need the openers to fire.
Hello and welcome to Day 3 of the 4th Test. #TeamIndia are currently 56 runs behind with all 10 second innings wickets in tact.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/HE4Kx12EjI
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 4, 2021
Beautifully poised, this Test. If England take three wickets before India clear the deficit (currently 56), they should win. If they take one or none, India become favourites. (If they take two, it'll be a tie.)
— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) September 4, 2021
What does Day 3 hold in store after this?
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 4, 2021
🏴 #ENGvIND 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/0p5GjANrPh
Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of the third day’s play in the fourth Test between India and England at The Oval.
India were 43/0 in their second innings at stumps, trailing by 56 runs. Rohit Sharma was 20 not out and KL Rahul 22 not out. Can the overnight batters build on the strong start?