We started this tour way back in July and now, it's September. It's been a long journey but we enjoyed your company throughout this time. However, that is it from our side for this Test and the Series. England has come out as the deserving winners of the Pataudi Trophy. But, but, but, the cricket never stops in this cricket frenzy world. We'll see you again as the Asia Cup starts in a few day's time in the Middle East. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh kick-off the tournament on Saturday. Till then, it's a goodbye from us.
England skipper, Joe Root, says it has been a very tough series as India has played excellent cricket. He is thrilled by the cricket which was played. Admits there were a few nerves today as the two youngsters were playing really well. Credits his players to hold their nerve and come out on top. States Cook has been exceptional player and the reception he has received is well-deserved. Adds further James Anderson still has a lot left in him and he reckons he is bowling as well as he ever has. States they are growing as a team and they are in a good space at the moment.
Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, credits Pant and Rahul for the way they played. Reckons it has been a very competitive series. States they did not go for the win at first but once Rahul and Pant started scoring freely, hopes were revived. Adds Pant showed a lot of grit and character and he will become better with experience. Says Pant plays with no fear and he is one for the future. He admits they did miss a few opportunities but is proud of the way his boys played. Adds further both the teams went for the win but England were the better side of the two. He believes Sam Curran was the difference with the bat and with the bowl between the two teams and he deserves the Man of the Series award. Ends by sayings a win is what every team should be looking for, that is how Test cricket will be exciting for the fans. Congratulates Alastair Cook for his long career
Man of the series, Sam Curran, says he feels really good to perform well. He further adds this is the best farewell they could have given to Cook. Admits it has been a great learning curve for him and he is honoured playing with the experienced players in the squad. Reckons consistency is the main thing in this format and always want to take one game at a time. Ends by saying his first game gave him a lot of confidence and he carried on the good work.
Man of the Match, Alastair Cook, says it has been the most amazing week, one you could not script. He feels great to contribute to the win and it was also an excellent Test match. Mentions the memories will always live long in his mind. Adds further the Indian middle order tested them today and did not give in it easy. Further adds that the reception he got after getting to his ton was special and also watching James Anderson break Glenn Mcgrath's record was brilliant. Says it has been a privilege to play with James Anderson who he thinks is the best English cricketer. Admits the amount of hard work, the pressure and strain they play under won't be missed. He though admits he will miss all the moments he has shared with the team. Ends by saying no matter what the situation he is not eyeing a come back.
A quick chat with James Anderson. Says that he is happy that Cook was on the field to see that wicket which made him the most successful pace bowler in Test cricket. Admits that when the partnership was building, they thought it would get close and adds that his job was to hold one end. Smiles before mentioning that he's thankful to Root that he gave him the new ball to reach the milestone. Gets emotional when asked about Alastair Cook retiring and fails to hold back his tears.
Last but not the least, in this last Test, Rishabh Pant has shown signs of being a long time serving player for the visitors. He has shown a lot of calibre and just needs to correct his temperament to get even better. A special mention to the weather which conducive and allowed the game to go on for not many stoppages. And also, Cook. He walks away with his head held high and also as the highest run-getter for England in Test cricket, just one of the few other records he holds and will hold for a long time I feel.
There were a lot of heroes in this series. One that comes to my mind straightaway is Sam Curran. What a debut series this has been for him. He was the difference between the two teams and perhaps, the outcome of this series as well. He batted well with the tale and took England out of dangerous waters more times than they would've liked. Another one was more expected one, Virat Kohli. He ended the series as the highest run-getter with 593 runs. He lead the team from the front at all times and was easily the best batsman between the two sides.
One of the best, most hard-fought series comes to an end. The first Test was a close one, with the tale of English team being the architect of that victory. Second Test was marred by the weather and a lousy batting efforts from India. They lost that as well, however, they came back strongly in the third one to get one back and put some fire into the series. However, the fourth Test's loss ended their hopes of winning a Test series in England since 2007. The fifth Test was supposedly a dead rubber but it turned out to a feisty one as well.
What a Test this was. When it started, everyone though that this was the best batting track of the series but the bowlers changed that perception. England, after choosing to bat first managed a decent total courtesy their hero of this series, the tail of the home side. India, in reply, started badly but a collapse saw them chasing the game as they gave away a lead of 40 runs. In the second innings, Cook-Root's heroics meant they had to chase down a mammoth total of 464. A rather chilling notion to first think about.
The morning started with the onus on the visitors to save the day and the Test. It started in a decent fashion as Rahane and Rahul adding 118. After the former got out, Pant struck around. He and Rahul made sure there were no more hiccups till the end of second session. In the process, they added a record-breaking 204-run stand for the 6th wicket. Pant got to his maiden ton and Rahul moved to 5th one.
The resistance ended! After a long, wicket-less second session, India have finally holed out in the final one. Rahul and Pant batted superbly and aroused few expectations as well by Rashid's magic the old ball meant both walked back sooner than later. After that, it was bread and butter for the pacers, with the second new ball. Anderson and co. made a light work of it and got the work done to win the fifth Test by 118 runs.
Great scenes out there. Cook and Anderson are walking out as legends out the game, if they weren't already. Both sets of players applaud and shake hands with the two as Cook lead them off the field for one final time. Anderson urged Cook to take the charge as he wanted it to be his moment. The crowd stands and cheers their stars off the field as well.
94.3OUT! There it is! What a fitting end to this Test match! James Anderson gets the last and his 564th wicket and with that, he now becomes the most successful fast bowler in Tests. Isn't he delighted, isn't the crowd delighted... You bet they are. Jimmy gets this one to come back in from around off, Shami tries to keep it out but the ball sneaks through and uproots the middle stump. Handshakes all around as ENGLAND HAVE WON THIS GAME BY 118 RUNS, TAKING THE SERIES 4-1!
94.2OHHHH! On a length and around off, it pitches and goes away. Shami tries to drive it on the up but gets beaten.
94.1On the pads, Shami flicks it down to fine leg and does not run.
93.6Goes for another inswinger from outside off but no swing again and Bumrah shoulders arms. 345/9
93.5Going for the in-dipper from outside off but the ball does not swing. Bumrah lets it be.
Jasprit Bumrah is the new man in.
93.4OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! That is the final nail in the coffin. Jadeja walks back as he is done in by another excellent outswinger by Sam Curran. He is really making full use of the new ball. Once again angles it into the batsman first and then gets it to leave him. Jadeja plays inside the line, the ball kisses the outside edge and Jonny Bairstow behind does not drop it this time as he takes it with a dive to his left. One wicket away now, England.
93.3FOUR! Pure timing that! On the pads, Jadeja flicks it through square leg and the ball races away. However, runs do not matter now.
93.2Another length ball outside off, Jadeja leaves it.
93.1Lovely stuff! He first angles it into the batsman and then gets it to shape away. Jadeja does really well to pull his bat out in time at the very last moment.
Drinks! 15 more overs to go, 2 wickets in hand. Can India somehow draw this game or will England win the series 4-1? We will find out soon.
92.6This time he tucks it through mid-wicket and takes a run. More importantly for India, he will be on strike. 341/8
92.5FOUR! Anderson was millimeters away from topping the list of the pace bowlers with most wickets in Test cricket. He lands it around off, Jadeja tries to force it through the off side and steal a run but he gets an inside edge instead which goes agonizingly close past the off pole and into the fine leg fence.
92.4Good length again around off, Jadeja is solid in defense.
92.3Good length again on off, Jadeja defends it onto the ground.
92.2Back of a length outside off, Jadeja lets it be.
92.1Fuller in length around off, he is trying to shape the ball back in. It however goes on with the angle and Jadeja defends it.
Mohammed Shami is the new man in.
91.6OUT! Another one bites the dust. Sharma's persistence comes to an end. It was too good for him. It landed on off and straightens after pitching. He plays for the swing from within his crease but gets a faint edge to the keeper. He though feels there wasn't any nick as he asks for the review straightaway. The replays roll in and it shows the ball took a feather on its way to Bairstow. England just need two more such peaches to make it 4-1. 336/8
Review time! Ishant Sharma has been given out. He takes the review straightaway.
91.5Short ball and Sharma ducks under it to let it be.
91.4Wide off, left alone.
91.3Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
91.2New cherry turns Jaddu square. It pitches on middle and leg and RJ looks to play it square. A leading edge goes in the point region where there is no fielder.
91.1The ball is way wide on the leg side but Jadeja still goes after it but misses.
90.6And a play and a miss. Too good for a tail-ender. It was around off and full. Sharma hangs back to poke at it. He misses and the ball goes to the mitts of the keeper. 335/7
90.5Shortish on off, blocked out solidly by Sharma.
90.4The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
90.3On the pads, RJ misses the flick and gets hit on his pad. A leg bye stolen through the fine leg region.
90.2On off, defended under his eyes.
90.1The ball is wide outside off to which Jadeja offers no shot.
The second new ball has been taken! 5 overs too late I feel. Let us see what it has in store for us.
89.6The batsman defends it from within the crease. 334/7
89.5And again. This is easy for Ishant to negotiate. A flighted ball down the leg side. Sharma presents the pad to keep it out.
89.4Down the leg side, again padded away.
89.3FOUR! Swept and swept to the fence. It was a googly on leg which Sharma read perhaps as he swept it through the square leg region for a boundary. His patience is important for India's survival.
89.2Outside leg, padded away by Ishant.
89.1Outside leg, turning into the pads, Sharma prods forward in defense and the ball goes over the fielder at the slip cordon off the bat-pad probably.
88.6On off, on a length, defended. 330/7
88.5Jaddu takes a couple of steps down the track and across. Anderson digs it in targeting the batsman's rib cage. RJ does well to let it pass.
88.4The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
88.3Wide outside off stump, Jadeja leaves it alone.
88.2On off, defended under his eyes.
88.1Wide of off, Jaddu ignores it.
87.6The ball is too wide on the off side for Sharma to make any contact. 330/7
87.5Wide of off, worked to backward point for no run.
87.4Tossed up there, Ishant pushes to mid off for no run.
87.3Flighted outside off, left alone by Sharma.
87.2The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
87.1Spins away from the face of the bat. Ishant lunges forward in defense but gets beaten by the away spin.
86.6Outside off, left alone. 330/7
86.5Shortish, played to the point region by RJ.
86.4The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.
86.3Edged and dropped! Bairstow, the culprit. It was difficult though but you expect them to be taken at international level. A back of a length ball outside off, Jadeja gets tall to defend it but the ball goes off the outside edge, low and left of Bairstow.
86.2Drives this full ball through the off side.
86.1Around off, fullish, pushed back to Jimmy.
85.6Outside leg, defended. He survives to fight another day. 330/7
85.5The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
85.4In the air... just wide. A floated ball pitching outside off, Ishant prods forward to defend it and gets it off the splice of the bat. The ball lobs in the air and luckily for him, it goes over Cook at silly point.
85.3A lot of air again, pitched right up there. Jaddu punches it through the off side and changes strike. 3 balls to survive for Ishant.
85.2Around off, worked to third man for a run.
85.1Googly wide of off, Sharma hangs back to defend it.
84.6Another length ball outside off, Jadeja again dances down the track but LEAVES the ball. 328/7
84.5Good length again on off, Jadeja defends it towards point. One ball to go, will he go for a single?
84.4Another leave as the ball is just about outside off.
84.3Jadeja takes a step or two down the track and makes a leave.
84.2Anderson lands it on off, Jadeja defends it onto the ground.
84.1Wide outside off, left alone.
83.6OUT! And Pant holes out! One shot too many from him. End of the patience stock perhaps. But before we go further, let's just applaud the caliber, grit and determination he showed on his way to 114, his first in Test cricket. Coming to the ball now - It was a wide one with a lot of air and revs on it. The googly. Pant looks to deposit it into the stands but the bat turns in his hands. As a result, the ball hangs in the air and goes towards Moeen Ali at long off. He stations himself under it and grabs it safely to end the youngster's innings. India are in a lot of trouble now. 328/7
83.5Shortish around off, played though the point region for another run.
83.4On off, defended.
83.3Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
83.2Comes in sharply after spinning in from the rough. Jaddu misses to get bat on it and it goes to short leg on a bounce.
83.1Slow, wide and spinning in, Pant rocks back and cuts it through cover-point for a run.
82.6RJ goes after a wide one but misses. End of a maiden. 326/6
82.5And again. He lets another one go past him. Has India changed their mind?
82.4In the same channel, Jaddu does not fiddle with it.
82.3Too wide to entice Jaddu with a shot.
82.2Goes fishing to the ball outside off but misses.
82.1Outside off, shortish, defended.
81.6Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 326/6
81.5And Pant goes for the reverse and again fails to get bat on ball. It hits him on the knee, missing his pad. He looks in some pain after that. I wonder, does he really have to play so many shots? Strange, these youngsters.
81.4Pant goes for the sweep but fails to connect. The ball hits his pads and lobs in the air. Jonny collects it and starts celebrating right away. The umpire declines. Bairstow can be hysterical sometimes.
81.3Again enormous turn into RJ who works it to the on side for a run.
81.2Wide outside off stump, Jaddu leaves it alone.
Ravindra Jadeja is in.
81.1OUT! Gone! Needed a special delivery to remove a special batsman. What a peach! I'm stunned. It lands way outside leg but in the rough. The ball moves towards the off pole like a vicious snake. Rahul goes back to play it down but misses it altogether. The ball hits the off pole and ends the marathon partnership of 204 runs, the best for the 6th wicket for India and only the second Indian pair to do so, all in the fourth innings. A special mention to Rahul's tryst with the number 9 as well. His highest score in Tests is 199 and now, he gets out on 149, both against England. Should see a priest perhaps as he walks back to the pavilion to a standing ovation along with India's hopes of winning this game as well. Kudos to Rashid though, Shane Warne's 'Ball of the Century' has a competitor now.
80.6Outside off and Pant ignores it. 325/5
80.5Hangs back and plays the length ball to point where Ben makes a diving effort to deny the run.
80.4Outside off, nicely tapped down square of the wicket on the off side.
80.3The ball is too wide on the off side for RP to make any contact.
80.2Pant goes after a wide one but misses.
80.1Short on off, KL looks to play through the off side but gets a thick inside edge to the on side. A run taken.
79.6Sensibly defended the loopy leggie outside his off pole. 324/5
79.5The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
79.4Four Byes! 200-run stand is up but not the way they would've liked. Another wild hoick attempted to play the tossed up ball over the cover region. He misses and so does Bairstow and Stokes behind the sticks. It gives a chance for the batsmen to cherish another milestone along with whole of India. This has been a difficult series for the batsmen but for the first time, they can have a ball here.
79.3Moves away to play the shortish ball on the on side. He finds the fielder there.
79.2A wild hoick to play the flighted ball over the cover region. He misses. Poor.
79.1No, no, no. This isn't the way my dear Pant. You don't need to play the reverse sweep to the ball pitched outside the off stump and spinning in. It's too risky and India have their hopes pinned on you.
78.6A loud call there from Pant and rightly so! Rahul plays the full ball to the cover region and charges for the run straightaway. Pant denies the risky run. 320/5
78.5Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
78.4On off, on a length, defended off the front foot.
78.3On the pads, worked to mid-wicket for no run.
78.2The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
78.1FOUR! Nonchalantly flicked away over the infield and into the mid-wicket fence. Now Rahul gets into the act. Intent is pretty clear. They want to win this one.
77.6FOUR! Wide, full, flighted and Pant hammers it up and over the cover-point area. So, it seems India are going for quick runs before the second new ball. Interesting approach. 316/5
77.5Vicious turn into the left-hander who lets it be but Jonny fails to collect and two byes results.
77.4The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.
77.3Slower on the pads, worked to the on side for a single.
77.2Charges down the track to the ball pitched outside leg and defends it to the on side.
77.1Flighted down the leg side, Rahul fails to work it around and gets pad on it. It goes behind to the fine leg region. Root saves a couple for his team.
76.6Wide, full, punched to point for no run. 307/5
76.5Wide outside off stump, Pant leaves it alone.
76.4Defended off the front foot by Rahul presenting the full face of the bat to the off side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
76.3Another sweet connection but straight to the fielder at the backward point area. KL cuts the shortish ball but fails to find the gap.
76.2Shot and equally well fielded. A full ball on off, Rahul presents the mirror straight willow and gets a sweet connection. It goes back to Anderson in a jiffy who does well to get down and get a hand on it in his followthrough to stop it.
76.1A low full toss and a lot of width on offer outside off. Pant punches it wide of the fielder at the short cover area. A run taken.
Anderson to share the attack.
75.6Careful, careful Pant. It pitches in the rough way outside off and Pant looks to drive away from his body. The ball takes the inside edge and goes past the stumps to fine leg. A run stolen. 305/5
75.5SIX! What a hit! This man oozes aggression and it shows in his batting style. Another tossed up ball from Rashid, this time it's closer to Pant and he launches into it with a straight bat over the bowler's head. The ball sails into the second tier of the stands. Intent straightaway from India and Pant.
75.4A leggie too wide to entice Pant with a stroke.
75.3Too wide of off, left alone.
75.2The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
75.1Flighted ball outside off, defended.
And we're back! The Test cricket is at its pinnacle at the moment here at The Oval. Both the teams are in with a chance and a draw is still on the cards as well. Let's see how it pans out as Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are in the middle. Adil Rashid will starts the proceedings post-Tea. Here we go...
... Final Day, Final Session ...
The England bowlers tried their best, their spinners gave it their all but just could not find the breakthrough. Now one question which arises is why were Anderson and Broad not given the ball a lot earlier? Maybe because Broad is not 100 percent fit and they might be preserving Anderson for the second new ball which is just 5 overs away now. All questions will be answered in the final session of this tour. Join us for it as it promises to be a really exciting one.
What a session for India! Yes, it is a wicket-less one and runs have flourished. 131 runs in 30 overs, you do not see that often in a Test match. Two youngsters have risen to the occasion here, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. The two have added a mammoth 177-run stand and it has come at a quick rate. Also, they are not finished yet. The opener will be now eyeing a double hundred whereas the keeper-batsman will look to add as many as possible. Also, if this pair keeps batting, you never know, India might be in for a chance at the end of the day with 166 more needed off the scheduled 33 overs.
74.6Continues with that line just outside off. Rahul will not flirt with it, at least not a ball before the Tea interval. He leaves it alone to go to the dressing room and have some tasty Tea, being unbeaten on 142. From nowhere, this stylish opener, along with his partner in crime, Pant, has brought this game alive. That's Tea on Day 5. We have a cracker of an evening session on hands. 298/5
74.5A wider ball outside off and Rahul leaves. Playing for Tea, it seems.
74.4A good length ball around off is driven impressively but straight to the fielder at extra cover.
74.3Keeps it on a length but a bit wide outside off. Bairstow, who has come near the wickets, collects well.
74.2Keeps it fuller around off, Rahul blocks it out from the crease with a straight bat.
74.1Starts the over with a good length ball in the corridor just outside off stump. Rahul presents the perfect front foot defense. Even a defensive shot can be an evidence of how good you are watching the ball. That defense was one of those shots.
73.6Plays this ball calmly as he works it to the man at mid-wicket. 298/5
73.5SIX! BANG! Maiden Test ton for Rishabh Pant. He reaches there in some style. This lad seriously got guts. Uff! What a knock this has been, yes, there is not a lot of pressure on him in this innings but take nothing away from the way he has played. It has been full of entertainment, excitement and a complete treat to watch. Even the crowd knows that and are giving a thunderous applause to the youngster's effort. He acknowledges it by taking his helmet off and raising his bat towards them. He absolutely nailed this flighted delivery over the mid-wicket fence with a slog sweep. Well played! However, he need not relax now, he needs to continue in the same manner.
73.4The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total.
73.3Pitches it outside leg, Rahul goes back and tries to work it through the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. There is a stifled appeal but nothing from the umpire.
73.2Flatter on off, Rahul punches it to mid off.
73.1Works it with the turn towards mid-wicket for a run.
72.6A maiden, as Rahul works it to mid-wicket. 290/5
72.5Another length ball around off, Rahul blocks it out.
72.4The batsman defends it from within the crease.
72.3Length again but Rahul is as solid as a rock in defense.
72.2Around off, once again Rahul is solid in defense.
72.1Good length again around off, Rahul guides it towards point. He wants a run but is sent back.
71.6The googly on off, Pant defends it onto the ground. He knows how important this ton could be and hence, he is not looking to get there in a hurry. 290/5
71.5Good stop! Saves a boundary there Root! Short and outside off, Pant slaps it towards covers, the skipper there makes a good stop.
71.4Rahul with the turn pushes it towards covers for a run.
71.3Down the leg side, Rahul tries to flick but misses. A muted appeal by Jonny but nothing from the umpire.
71.2Slightly shorter this time outside off, Pant works it with the turn through square leg for a run.
71.1SIX! BOOM! Welcome back into the attack Rashid! What a shot! Adil flights this delivery on off, Pant goes down on one knee and tonks it over the long on fence. Moves into the nervous 90s. But it's Rishabh Pant...nervous? Don't think so!
Adil Rashid is back on.
70.6With the angle, worked to mid-wicket. 282/5
70.5Another length ball around middle, Rahul defends it back to the bowler.
70.4The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.
70.3Back of a length on off, Rahul guides it to point.
70.2Just ahead of a length, looking for some movement. Rahul keeps it out.
70.1On a length around middle, Rahul defends it onto the ground.
69.6EDGED BUT FOUR! Full marks to the bowler but runs to the batsman. Pant moves onto a score which the Australians consider very unlucky. Around off, it straightens a touch. Pant tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes through gully for a boundary. 182 more needed. 282/5
69.5The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
69.4Around off and Pant is solid in defense.
69.3Fuller in length on off, Pant prods forward and defends it out.
69.2On middle, kept out.
69.1EDGY FOUR! Pant moves into the 80s. Broad bowls the outswinger on off, Pant lunges and tries to block but the ball takes the outside edge and goes down to the third man fence.
The keeper is upto the stumps now.
68.6BEATEN! Hint of swing there but no edge. On a length and around off, the ball straightens after pitching. Rahul lunges and tries to defend but gets beaten. That's Jimmy Michael Anderson, the master of swing and seam bowling, for you. The last hour or so has not seen the ball do anything off the surface, it was just going straight on. But as soon as the English star pacer comes into the attack the ball lands and starts deviating horizontally. That's not magic, that's art. It is exactly the reason why this world-class swing bowler is the joint-highest wicket-taking fast bowler in Test history. 274/5
68.5On a length again, Rahul guides it to point.
68.4FOUR LEG BYES! India will take every run, irrespective of how they come. On the pads, Rahul fails to flick it. The ball brushes the pads and races fine down the leg side. 150-run stand is up and it's been a very entertaining one. They are reviving some hopes in the Indian camp.
68.3Another back of a length delivery on off, Rahul pushes it to covers.
68.2Good length again around off, no swing on offer for Jimmy also. Rahul guides it to point.
68.1On a length around off, Rahul defends it onto the ground.
And now comes his partner in crime... James Anderson is back on.
67.6On the shorter side, Pant easily defends it. No zip on the last 2 deliveries of Broad. He may not be at 100 percent. 270/5
67.5Broad does not look very comfortable here. He does not steam in and bowls this one way down the leg side. Pant lets it go to the keeper.
67.4The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
67.3On a length around off, Pant defends it.
67.2FOUR! Just over the leaping fielder! On the pads, Pant flicks it uppishly, just out of the stretched hands of the fielder at mid-wicket. Raining boundaries off the bat of Pant.
67.1The bowling change almost does the trick! The crowd finally comes to life. Broad straightaway pitches it on the rough. It sticks into the surface and also bounces a touch more. Rahul goes for the drive but the ball hits the higher portion of the bat and balloons towards point but falls short of the fielder there. The batsmen take a run.
Stuart Broad is back on. After a long, long time. My question to him and his captain - where were you till now?
66.6The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. End of an excellent over for India. 265/5
66.5FOUR! Make that 12! Best shot of the over! Slightly short and width on offer outside off, Pant places it through backward point and the ball races away.
66.4FOUR! Pierced the gap to perfection! Well they need something around 5 per over but they already have 8 in this. Short and on middle, Pant goes back and pulls it between fine leg and backward square leg, beating the dive of the fielder in the former position.
66.3Another bouncer and Pant ducks under it.
66.2On the shorter side and on the body of the batsman. Pant tucks it around the corner for no runs.
66.1FOUR! Cut and cut hard! Short and outside off, Pant slaps it through point and the ball races away. 207 more needed and they have around 40 overs to go. Game on?
65.6Tosses it up on off, Rahul lunges and blocks it. 253/5
65.5Pant strokes it through covers and changes strike. He moves onto 63.
65.4Eases this down to long on and takes a run.
65.3Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
65.2Very full on off, Pant tries to defend but he gets an inside edge onto his pads.
65.1Fires it on off, Pant keeps it out.
64.6Back of a length on off, it goes straight on with the angle. Rahul defends it. This is the difference, the wicket seems to have flattened out, the ball is not straightening, there is no sideways movement. NOTHING. 250/5
64.5Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
64.4On off, Rahul is solid in defense.
64.3Good length again, Rahul gets behind the line of the delivery and keeps it out.
64.2Good shot! Got on top of the bounce, rolls his wrists over and pulls it all along the ground towards fine leg for a run. 250 up for India, not many would have thought they would reach this stage when they were 2 for 3.
64.1The bumper on middle, Pant ducks under it.
63.6That was quick! Very quick on middle, Rahul tries to block but gets it off the inner half to square leg. Good change there by Root, surely surprised us if not the batsman. 249/5
63.5FOUR! Rahul just got to the ball there. Root may have seen Rahul step down the track and he fires it wide outside off. Rahul reaches out for it and smashes it through covers for a boundary.
63.4The leg spinner but it is too short and too wide outside off, Pant cuts it through point for a run.
63.3Flatter outside off, Pant leaves it as he expects the ball won't be turning back in.
63.2Uses his feet and eases it to deep mid on for a run.
63.1Pitched outside leg, the batsman pads it away.
62.6No maiden as Rahul guides this ball through point and takes a run. 243/5
62.5Another length ball on middle, Lokesh Rahul strokes it to mid on. 5 dot balls in a row.
62.4Hits the length again around off, Rahul guides it to point.
62.3Good length again just outside off, Rahul very well knows where his off stump is, he covers it and leaves the ball.
62.2On the shorter side again, Rahul tries to force it through the off side but gets it off the inner half towards the bowler.
62.1Back of a length on off, Rahul stands tall and defends it onto the ground.
That's drinks in the post-Lunch session.
61.6Flatter and fuller on the stumps, kept out by Pant from within the crease. The first hour after the Lunch break has been not only safely negotiated but they have scored at a brisk rate too. 242/5
61.5We are seeing a nice demonstration of some attacking and defensive cricket at the same time. Root gives this air and keeps it outside off, enticing a drive and looking to induce an edge. But Pant lets it be.
61.4Tossed up delivery on off, blocked out off the front foot.
61.3FOUR! That has crossed the boundary ropes like a TRACER BULLET! Joe tosses it up and full, Pant waits for the ball to arrive and cracks his drive through covers for a scintillating boundary.
61.2Loss of concentration? Maybe. Joe bowls this full in line of the stumps, Pant from within his crease looks to hoick this one over the mid-wicket region. The ball pitches and turns to get the outside edge. The ball lobs up in the air towards the cover region but luckily for Rishabh and his team, it falls in no man's land.
61.1Tossed up outside off, left alone by the Indian keeper.
60.6Short ball again, Pant takes it on again and pulls it hard but straight to the man at deep square leg to get just a single. 236/5
60.5Punches this short of a length delivery through the cover-point region to pick up a brace.
60.4A short ball from Stokes, Rahul swivels and pulls it to deep square leg to pick up a run.
60.3A length ball around off, Rahul looking to keep it out gets an inside edge onto his pads. No harm done.
60.2Half century! Stokes lands this one a bit shorter and wider of off. Pant cuts hard to the fielder at the deep point boundary and gets a run. That's a maiden Test fifty for Rishabh Pant. A special milestone for the aggressive young man.
60.1Starts the over with an ill-directed delivery from around the wicket. The angle on the ball takes it down the leg side and Bairstow has to dive to his right to stop it.
59.6Root fires this one on Rahul's pads who tries to flick it but misses and gets rapped on the pads. 231/5
59.5Very full ball on leg, almost a yorker. Rahul keeps it out.
59.4Fuller ball on off is flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
59.3A bit flatter and fuller around off. Pants looks to defend on the front foot but the off spin beats his bat edge. Can Joe be the golden arm for the hosts to break this partnership.
59.2Flighted and fuller delivery on off, Pant comes forward and solidly blocks it out.
59.1Tossed up ball outside off, left alone by Rishabh.
58.6On off, pushed to covers. 230/5
58.5Back of a length around off, Pant guides it through point and takes a run.
58.4Very well done! Stokes bowls another wide ball outside off, wanting Pant to play another loose stroke but he resists and lets it be.
58.3BEATEN! Easy Pant, those shots are not needed. You have gotten yourself onto a start here, should not throw it away. A short ball outside off, Pant goes for a cut but misses.
58.2Slightly fuller and Rahul opens the face of the bat and strokes it through cover-point for a run.
58.1Hits the length hard around off, Rahul lunges and defends it.
57.6FOUR BYES! Joe fires this one flatter and outside off. Pant plants his front foot across and leaves it. The ball stays very low and Bairstow behind is seen getting down quickly, almost falling down. But he cannot stop the ball from racing behind him and into the boundary fence. 228/5
57.5A bit slower but wide of off, Rishabh points his bat toward the heavens to let it go.
57.4Full pitched ball on the stumps, driven politely to mid off.
57.3A bit quicker and outside off, Rishabh lets it go watchfully.
57.2Beaten! Root fires this one fuller and just outside off, Pant comes forward to block but the ball spins away on landing and beats Rishabh's forward push. They need to be careful against the part-timer here.
57.1Tossed up on off, Rahul gets nicely to the pitch of the ball and drives to the mid on region for a single.
56.6Dishes this full ball wide of off, Pant decides to shoulders his arms. 223/5
56.5In the blockhole, nice surprise ball from the English all-rounder. But Pant is alert enough to spot it and dig it out in time.
56.4Pulls his length back a bit and lands this around off, the Indian keeper defends it off the back foot.
56.3Strays down the leg side, Pant tries to flick but misses.
56.2A bit short and on his body, Rahul tucks it nicely into the square leg region to add a run to his total.
56.1Stokes keeps this one a bit shorter of a good length angling into Pant from around the wicket. Rishabh gets inside the line and works it down to fine leg for as easy single.
55.6Root fires this last ball of the over from around the wicket into Rahul's pads, KL flicks it straight to mid-wicket. 221/5
55.5Fuller ball on the stumps, Rahul keeps this out watchfully.
55.4Quicker and outside off this one, Rahul looks to play at it initially but leaves at the last moment.
55.3Rahul has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
55.2Flatter and quicker on the stumps, kept out with a straight bat.
55.1Starts on a wrong line as he fires this one down the leg side. It's left alone.
Joe Root is into the attack. Trying everything here is the England skipper.
54.6Wide outside off, is left alone by Rishabh. 221/5
54.5FOUR! SHOT! That's exactly what I heard around me when this young lad played this shot. Stokes fires this one a bit straight in line of the stumps. Pant leans across a bit and flicks it nonchalantly in front of square leg for another cracking boundary. That brings up the 100-run partnership off just 109 balls. This is super stuff from this attacking pair. Are they going after the target? Still a long way to go but the intent surely cannot be doubted here.
54.4Pant punches this short of a length ball into covers.
54.3A bit wide of off, left alone.
54.2FOUR! Fierce square-cut from Pant. Stokes dishes this a bit short and wide of off. Pant unleashes the cut which results in the ball racing across the deep point boundary for a super four. This pair is not afraid to take on the pacer as well. The Indian aggression continues.
54.1Keeps it on a length around off, Pant leans across a bit and pushes it to mid-wicket.
Ben Stokes is the first change bowler after Lunch.
53.6FOUR! Ali gives the ball some air, as has been the story so far. Rahul takes on the bait, skips down the track and lofts this over the mid off region for a smashing boundary. Some attractive cricket on show here. Don't leave your seats. 213/5
53.5Flighted ball on off, Rahul defends by lunging forward.
53.4A bit quicker and shorter, Pant goes back and punches through covers for a single.
53.3Gives it a bit more air, enticing Pant into one more expansive drive, but Pant keeps it out politely.
53.2Tossed up on off, Pant blocks.
53.1FOUR! Slow, flighted and full on off. He gets it above the batsman's eye line. But Pant shows his class by coming down the track and crunching his cover drive to the boundary. That was some very good use of the feet there by the Indian keeper-batsman.
52.6The leggie now, Pant eases it down to long on and keeps strike for the next over. The two are ticking along quite well here. 204/5
52.5Extremely full outside off, Pant jams it out towards mid off.
52.4The googly this time but not a lot of turn on offer. Pant easily keeps it out.
52.3FOUR! Slightly short and Pant pounces on it. It is a half-tracker outside off, Rishabh punches it through cover-point and the ball races away. 200 up for India.
52.2With the turn, Rahul pushes it through covers and gets to the other end. He moves onto 124.
52.1Floats it up on off, it is the leg spinner. Rahul prods forward and blocks it.
51.6Ali gives this one air and bowls this a bit wide of off. Pant is not tempted to go for the drive as he shoulders arms and lets this one go to end the over. 198/5
51.5Tossed up around off, Pant comes forward and blocks with a solid defense.
51.4Ali attacks the stumps, Rahul works it into the leg side with the turn to add one more to his and his team's total.
51.3Ali lands this one a bit shorter of full length outside off. Pant being Pant, walks across to the off side and whips this through the mid-wicket region for a single.
51.2Tossed up around off. Pant blocks it out.
51.1Flighted and full delivery on off is pushed into covers for a single off the very first ball of the over. The scoreboard moving quickly now.
50.6Tossed up around off, Rahul comes forward and softly taps it in the gap towards the cover region to retain strike. 195/5
50.5This time he punches it through covers for a single.
50.4Rashid keeps this a bit full outside off. Pant, looking to punch it through covers, gets beaten.
50.3Pant tries to work this one from the stumps into the on side, he's early into the shot and the ball takes a soft leading edge to covers.
50.2Tossed up on off, defended by coming forward. Good mixture of aggression and caution on display here.
50.1Tossed up delivery around off, Rahul comes forward and pushes it into the cover region to change strike.
49.6Fires it outside off, Pant makes a leave. 192/5
49.5Quite similar to the last ball but this one is a little more fuller. Pant lunges and keeps it out.
49.4Slower through the air this time, looking to turn it away and take the outside edge but the ball goes straight on and Pant defends it.
49.3Cut hard but the fielder is found! On the shorter side and quicker in pace. Pant goes onto the back foot quickly, he cuts hard but finds the fielder at point.
49.2This is flatter outside off, it does turn back in but it is slow turn. Rahul has enough time to rock back and punch it through covers for a run.
49.1The batsman works it down the leg side.
48.6Overpitched ball in line of the stumps, flicked into the mid-wicket region for another brace. The partnership moves on to 70. 191/5
48.5Again the flighted ball around off but this time Pant shows some respect as he defends it off the front foot.
48.4FOUR! Rashid tosses this one on off, Pant this time cannot resist as he goes up and over the mid off fielder for a boundary. This is good from India, they are showing no signs of nerves and are ready to play their shots. We are in for a interesting and exciting passage of play.
48.3Rashid fires this a bit straight and the aggressive keeper-batsman is on the look out for runs, almost always. He flicks this one through mid-wicket to get a brace.
48.2Keeping it very full, Pant drives politely towards mid off.
48.1Gives this air and floats this full ball on off, Rahul creams the drive through to sweeper cover for a single.
47.6This full ball on off is driven to mid on for a single. Ali is not able to extract much spin or bounce from the surface. The batsmen seem to have no problem in negotiating his off spin, from the rough. 182/5
47.5A fuller length delivery on the stumps, it is flicked towards mid-wicket but straight to the fielder. The Indian pair is trying to change strike and keep the runs coming.
47.4Full on off, enticing a drive, Pant obliges and drives through covers to change strike again.
47.3Flighted and very full around off, Rahul comes forward and pushes it through covers for a single.
47.2Very full ball just outside off, driven crisply to sweeper cover for a brace.
47.1Tossed up delivery on off, Rahul lunges forward and defends.
46.6FOUR! Fires this a bit quicker outside off, Pant stays back and late cuts it through backward point for a boundary. 177/5
46.5A similar delivery to the previous one, driven to the right of mid on to bring Pant on strike for the last ball.
46.4Very full ball on the stumps, Rahul keeps it out.
46.3Tossed up outside off, Rahul shoulders arms.
46.2A bit shorter in length this outside off, Rahul cuts it to point.
46.1Very full and flighted googly first up, Rahul drives it through covers for a brace.
Adil Rashid to bowl from the other end.
45.6The straighter delivery is worked into the square leg region with a wristy flick and they cross over for a single. 170/5
45.5Very full delivery on off, Pant bends low and drives it through covers for a single.
45.4Tossed up around off, Pant looks to push at it but gets a bottom edge and the ball rolls down towards covers.
45.3A bit slower and flighted on the stumps, Pant blocks it out.
45.2Tossed up on off, defended back.
45.1Starts the session with a slower flighted delivery outside off, Rahul goes back and works it with the spin towards the fine leg region to take a run.
We are all set for the post-Lunch session to get underway. The umpires along with the English team make their way out. The Indian pair of Lokesh Rahul and Rishabh Pant stride out to the middle with the former taking strike. He will be facing Moeen Ali who will continue after the break. Can the visitors continue their rearguard action? We will soon find out. Here we go...
... Day 5, Session 2 ...
Rahane was looking good as well but he had a tame end to his gutsy innings. After his dismissal, Vihari got a peach from Stokes and he walked back for a duck. After that, Rahul breezed to his fifth Test ton in a matter of minutes. He has stitched a small little stand with Pant. 109 runs came in this session courtesy Rahul and the duo will look to keep on going for the sake of their team. The post-Lunch session starts in a short while, keep a cuppa handy and do join us!
Gritty, gutsy, glamorous and feisty! That's how I'd sum up this session. Well, the overcast morning brought a lot of joy for the English bowlers but they had to toil hard in the first hour. The Indian pair of Rahul and Rahane played sensibly to keep the Anderson-Broad pair out. They played and missed a lot but luckily, didn't nick any. After they got settled in, both started to flourish, especially Rahul, who scored at a rate of knots in the latter half.
44.6Lunges forward and defends the ball pitched outside off. This brings the end of the morning session and it's Lunch on Day 5. 167/5
44.5Short and wide outside off but lacking the expected bounce. Pant stays back and tries to hit it across the line but it goes under his willow. Jonny appeals for something but no one else knows what he was appealing for. Under edge?
44.4Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
44.3Pant has been hit on the pads as he tried to sweep that one. It hit him outside off so no harm there.
44.2Slow and wide of off, KL cuts it through point and takes a run.
44.1Shortish in line of the stumps, defended.
Adil Rashid is on to bowl the last over before Lunch.
43.6SIX! Block, block, block and a one-handed six to finish the over. That's Rishabh Pant for you. He gets another tossed up ball on off but couldn't resist the temptation. He hurries down the pitch and launches into the ball with one hand coming off the handle. It still sails over the long on fence with a lot of hang time. 166/5
43.5Flatter on off, kept out off the back foot.
43.4Pant chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.
43.3The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
43.2Full, driven to covers.
43.1In the air... no fielder there. A tossed up ball on off, Rahul lunges forward and the ball takes the inside edge of his willow. It goes wide of the fielder at short leg, so no harm done.
42.6Hangs back and keeps it out. 159/5
42.5On the pads, worked to the on side for a run.
42.4FOUR! Short, into the body and pulled to the fine leg fence for another boundary by Rahul. He has maintained his positive intent.
42.3Another short ball and another solid defense.
42.2Short of a length on off, blocked out.
42.1Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.
41.6Ali dishes this one a bit wide of off, tempting the Indian keeper into a drive. However, Pant shows good control as he lets it be. 154/5
41.5Tossed up around off, Pant has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
41.4A very full delivery on the stumps, Rishabh lunges forward and blocks it out.
41.3A bit slower and shorter in length. Pant waits for the ball to arrive and keeps it out with a straight bat.
41.2Tossed up on off, Pant pushes it to covers.
41.1Starts off with a quicker ball on the stumps. Pant goes back and flicks it towards the square leg region for a brace.
40.6FOUR! 5th Test ton for the youngster. He gets a 'hit me' ball outside off on a length and makes some room again to play it through the off side. But it goes off the inner half of his bat and scoots through. KL didn't mind as the ball races away to the long off fence. The 26-year old removes his helmet and has a muted celebration but his teammates in the balcony are applauding his effort with much abuzz. 152/5
40.5Ducks under this bouncer to let it through to the keeper.
40.4Outside off, left alone.
40.3FOUR! Ducked all the short balls in the last over but takes them on this time. A banged in ball in line of the stumps. Rahul swivels and plays it fine to the fine leg fence to move to 97. Can he complete the ton in this over itself?
40.2This one is down the leg side and the batsman leaves it alone.
40.1SIX! Bang! Where did this come from? Rahul has gone into the T20 mode and rightly so. No point getting into a shell and getting the ball with your wicket written on it. Stokes bangs it in again outside off, Rahul goes back to make some room and he pulls the trigger. A tennis forehand on this and the ball sails into the crowd at the cover region. He gets into 90s now.
39.6Outside off, flighted, left alone. 138/5
39.5Another reverse through the third man area but he couldn't get the timing this time. It goes to Curran at backward point and a run is taken.
39.4FOUR! Clever, so clever from Rahul. Excellent stuff from him. First the reverse sweep and now the conventional one through the deep square leg region. The ball races to the fence and KL is cruising towards his ton.
39.3FOUR! Rahul and his shots are not stopping. He is playing his natural game and scoring quick runs. He needs them desperately as well. A flighted ball outside off, KL reverse sweeps it through third man area and takes the boundary on offer.
39.2Shortish outside off, kept out off the back foot.
39.1Tossed up on off, defended.
38.6Great effort in the deep by Ali, saved three for his team. Though runs don't matter but keeping KL on strike does. Another short ball around the grille of Rahul who swivels and pulls it to the deep square leg region. Moeen there runs to his left quickly and stops the ball. 129/5
38.5The batsman defends it from within the crease.
38.4Another bumper and another duck.
38.3On the pads, clipped in front of the short leg fielder.
38.2Another bouncer! KL lets it be.
38.1Bouncer! KL ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.
37.6Fuller on off, the Indian keeper prods forward and keeps it out to end the over. 128/5
37.5FOUR! Nice reply from Pant. Moeen drops this one a bit shorter in length. Pant quickly rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a handsome boundary.
37.4Beaten! Lovely flight and turn from Moeen. He floats this one full outside off. Pant comes forward looking to push at the ball. The ball lands and spins sharply to beat the outside edge. Pant needs to focus here, this is his last opportunity on this tour to prove his mettle.
37.3Tossed up on the stumps, flicked to square leg for a single.
37.2LBW appeal turned down. Ali tosses this one outside off. Rahul gets down on one knee, looking to sweep it but misses the bat and gets rapped on the front pad. England appeal but the impact is clearly outside off and the umpire declines the appeal immediately.
37.1Tossed up and very full just outside off, Rahul is well set now and he drives this through the cover-point region for a brace.
36.6Bouncer. He sways away to leave it. End of a successful over for Stokes. 121/5
36.5The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Rishabh Pant is in.
36.4OUT! Gone! One brings two and Vihari takes the long walk back. He goes for a duck in his second innings. Coming to the ball, it was dug in at pace and climbing onto Vihari. He gets on his toes, tries to get his willow behind the line but the ball takes a slight outside edge and goes into the mitts of Bairstow. England are celebrating. It could end sooner than they would have hoped for.
36.3Shortish around off, defended off the back foot.
36.2Bumper! Left alone.
36.1Short around off and Rahul pokes at it. The deliberate edge goes through the keeper and wide slip but now Root has stationed a player at third man, right behind the slip cordon, to man the boundary. A run taken.
Stokes to roll his arms over now.
35.6Shortish on off, defended off the back foot. 120/4
35.5Around off, defended.
35.4The batsman appears to have been struck on the thigh-pad.
Hanuma Vihari is in. 50 in his debut innings. What will he get in the second one?
35.3OUT! In the air... taken! Just when things looked to be getting easier, Rahane falls. A tame end to a gutsy knock. What a pity but England won't mind at all. A tossed up ball outside off, Rahane reaches for it to sweep it down but the ball takes the top edge and lobs in the air towards Jennings at short mid-wicket who completes the formality. A 118-run stand comes to an end. England need 6 more wickets to wrap it up.
35.2Sweeps the flighted ball to fine leg and changes strike.
35.1Tossed up outside off, defended.
34.6Outside off, left alone. 119/3
34.5FOUR! A lot of width and a player of Rahane's class won't miss out on such opportunities. He cuts it off the back foot and finds the gap through cover-point. The ball races to the fence and pressure easing off India with every run this pair scores. Not going into shell is important.
34.4FOUR! Shot of the day for me. Indian-esque in this shot as Rahane flicks the full swinging ball on his pads through mid-wicket.
34.3Full on the pads, flicked to mid-wicket where Ben made a diving stop at short mid-wicket.
34.2Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
34.1Taps the shortish ball to the third man region and looks for a run but his partner declines.
33.6Risky but effective. Rahul is playing Moeen off the back foot again even after the last over's LBW scare. The ball misses the rough this time and bounces nicely for Rahul to punch it through cover-point for another brace. 111/3
33.5On off, defended.
33.4FOUR! Paddles and paddles fine. Clever stuff from Rahul. First through the cover region and then to the opposite side. It was pitched on off and he drags it fine with a stretched bat. Curran gives a chase but he couldn't stop it.
33.3Takes a few steps down the track and then defends it.
33.2The batsman defends it from within the crease.
33.1FOUR! 100 of the partnership comes up between the duo, a well-deserved and much, much-needed as well. Tossed up right up there, Rahul waits for it to come and then drives it through covers for a boundary. Rahul is looking good. Can he make it big for his team and stretch this partnership into a double ton?
32.6Jinx takes a couple of steps down the track and turns the length ball into a fuller one. Driven to the short cover fielder but for no run. 101/3
32.5Outside off, played to short third man for no run.
32.4On a length, around off, blocked.
32.3Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
32.2FOUR! 100 up for India. Short and width on offer and Rahane obliges. He hangs back and punches it through cover-point as the ball races away. The partnership grows to 99 with this shot and the pair is growing in confidence.
32.1Shortish on off, defended.
That's the first drinks break on Day 5. The Indian pair has made it through unscathed in the first hour. The play resumes in just a short while. Let's see what it has in store for us.
31.6Floated on the middle stump line, Rahul has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 97/3
31.5Tossed up on off, Rahul prods well forward and keeps it out safely.
31.4Not out. The impact is outside off as it appeared to the naked eye. Ali lands this one a bit shorter than the full length, well outside off. Rahul, walks across outside the off stump line, looking to work it into the leg side. But the ball lands, keeps very low, spins in sharply and hits Rahul on his front pad. It looks to have hit him outside the line of off but England appeal hard. The umpire gives a gem of a decision but the hosts feel they have a chance to change the decision and they take the DRS. The replays roll in and show that the impact is indeed outside off. England have now lost both their reviews. Good news for India as they fight on.
Review taken by England. Rahul hasn't been given out LBW. The English team has a chat and then Joe Root signals the 'T' to take a review.
31.3Ali gives this one a bit more air, Rahul does well to smother the turn.
31.2Tossed up on off, defended solidly off the front foot.
31.1A bit flatter and in line with the stumps. The ball lands and spins in. Rahul, looking to turn it into the leg side, gets an inside edge onto his pads.
30.6Bumper from Sam, Rahane ducks under it. 97/3
30.5FOUR! Cracking Cover Drive! Is there a more beautiful shot in cricket? Sam dishes this one very full, looking for some swing. Rahane is up for it as he comes forward, crouches a bit and plays a beautiful cover drive with near perfect timing and placement.
30.4Lands it a bit shorter of a good length around off, Rahane has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
30.3Fuller, just outside off, driven well but straight to the man at covers. Good shots are being played for no runs. The Indian pair should not get frustrated by this as the runs are not important but staying on the pitch is.
30.2Lands this a bit shorter of a good length around off, Rahane stands tall in his crease and blocks it out.
30.1Curran dishes this one a bit fuller and attacking the stumps, Rahane flicks this nicely but straight to the man at mid-wicket.
29.6Floated one around off, Rahul has defended this off the front foot. 93/3
29.5Rahane goes back to this ball outside off, it is a bit shorter in length and that allows him to tap it towards point to add another run to the total.
29.4Rahul comes forward to this tossed up delivery and pushes it into the gap at covers to run a single.
29.3Lands this a bit fuller and on his pads, flicked towards square leg for a single.
29.2Beaten by the spinner! Moeen tosses this one just outside off. Rahane comes forward looking to block it, plays for the spin but the ball skids through beating the outside edge. Moeen now has his hands on his head.
29.1Tossed up straighter on the pads, Rahane turns it into the mid-wicket region.
Moeen Ali comes into the attack.
28.6A bit shorter in length, punched towards covers for no runs. 90/3
28.5Beaten! That's the umpteenth time the ball has beaten the bat but we have gotten used to it now. Curran keeps it full around off, angling it across Rahul. He tries to keep it out but gets beaten because of the movement.
28.4A good length delivery around off, blocked out confidently by KL.
28.3A bit shorter in length on off, Rahul stands tall and blocks it from within the crease.
28.2A bit shorter of a good length on off, Rahul defends with a straight bat.
28.1Sometimes a wonderful shot gets you nothing, this was the case on this delivery. Curran keeps it very full just outside off, maybe looking for some movement. Rahul leans forward and drives it elegantly but straight to the man at covers.
27.6Creams the cover drive! Broad dishes this one a bit fuller in length outside off, Rahane comes forward confidently and drives crisply through covers for a brace. 90/3
27.5Similar ball from Broad and similar class shown by Rahane in his defense.
27.4Beautiful defense! Sometimes even a defense is an attractive shot if the batsman is of the class of Ajinkya Rahane. He covers the line nicely and keeps it out off the front foot.
27.3Fuller length ball attacking the stumps, Rahane defends it with a dead straight bat.
27.2A bit shorter of a good length outside off, Rahane taps it through the point region for a brace.
27.1A short ball is pulled handsomely. He looks so good when he is playing like this, no inhibitions, no confusions. Rahul sees the ball banged in short and pulls it towards the deep square leg region for a single. That shot deserved more though.
26.6Fuller on the stumps, blocked out off the front foot. 85/3
26.5Wide of off, left alone.
26.4Beaten! Rahane is lucky again. Ridding their luck is the Indian pair. Curran keeps this fuller around off. The ball, having the original angle on it from around the wicket, moves further away and this beats Rahane's outside edge.
26.3Keeps this a bit shorter of a good length around off and angling away from Rahul who does well to wait for the ball to come to him. He opens the bat face to glide it to third man for a single. KL has looked unfazed barring a few misses this morning.
26.2Fuller and in line with the stumps, driven by Rahul to mid on.
England's hero of the series, Sam Curran, comes into the attack.
26.1Wide of off stump. Rahul, not tempted into a shot, leaves.
25.6He survives to fight another day! Broad lands this one on a good length around off. The ball is moving considerably both ways. This one lands and comes into Rahane who does well to watchfully block it out. 84/3
25.5A bit fuller this, attacking the stumps, Rahane blocks it out.
25.4Lands this on a good length around off, Rahane defends solidly.
25.3Smashing pull shot for just a single. Broad bangs this one short. Rahul spots it early, rocks back and across, swivel and pulls it hard towards the square leg region. However, the hosts have kept Jennings in the deep who keeps the batsmen down to one.
25.2Fuller on off, KL comes forward and defends.
25.1Beaten! Peach! Starts a fresh over with a beauty. He lands this one a bit short of good length around off. This time the ball hits the deck and seams away from Rahul. KL, looking to keep it out, is beaten but the important thing is that he survives.
24.6Slightly short and on off, Rahane once again blocks it off his back foot to end the over. India have dealt with the first 30 minutes quite bravely. 83/3
24.5Straighter delivery, on a length, it's defended off the back foot.
24.4Not timed well but runs for Ajinkya. Anderson offers a plenty of width outside off, Rahane reaches out for it but fails to time his square cut properly. Still, he finds the gap at point and collects a couple of runs.
24.3This one is angled back into the batsman by Anderson. Closer to the off stump and Rahane presents a straight bat in defense.
24.2Anderson keeps probing in the region outside off. It's on a length and shaping away just a bit, Rahane shoulders arms.
24.1Back of a length ball on off, Rahane stays back footed as he plays it down square of the wicket on the off side. Not in the gap though.
23.6Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 81/3
23.5Some visible inward movement again. It's on a good length outside off and curls back in off the seam. Rahul covers the line with a front foot stride and then leaves it. So far so good from him.
23.4Full and shaping back in around middle and off, KL is forward as he pushes it down to mid on.
23.3FOUR! A very confident drive off the front foot by KL Rahul. Broad delivers it full and outside off, Rahul leans forward and drives it crisply through the gap at cover-point. Didn't try to hit it hard, just placed his shot with sweet timing. From England's point of view, they won't mind Rahul driving.
23.2Angling back into the batsman on a length, Rahul stays back to cover the line and blocks it safely.
23.1Broad drops it on a good length outside off, angling in a bit. Rahul takes his front leg forward to cover the line and has his bat hiding behind his pads as he allows it through.
22.6Wider of off and left alone. 77/3
22.5Fuller and a bit wider of off, Rahane comes forward and a bit across as well to block it out.
22.4Beaten! Lovely bowling, this. Anderson lands it on a length around off and gets it to move away on landing. The movement has beaten Rahane's attempt to play at the ball.
22.3Fuller around off, defended off the front foot.
22.2Strays on his legs and Rahul flicks this to square leg for a single.
22.1Beaten by a beauty! A Jimmy special, this one. He lands it on a length just outside off. Rahul tentatively looks to play at it but the away movement beats the outside edge of his bat and the Indian opener survives.
21.6Four leg byes! Similar to the second ball of the over and the same result. Rahane tries to flick but the ball brushes his pads and runs down to the fine leg boundary. 11 from the over for India. 76/3
21.5A bit shorter in length around off, the ball lands and seams in to Rahane who is looking to whip it off his hips but misses and gets rapped on the thigh pad.
21.4Fuller on off, Rahane comes forward and defends.
21.3Fuller ball with some inward movement around off, Rahane drives this crisply through mid on for a brace.
21.2Four leg byes! Similar nut to the previous one. Broad lands this a bit shorter of a good length attacking the stumps. There is considerable inward movement on landing. Rahane, looking to flick it, misses the ball and it hits the outer part of his pads and runs down to the fine leg boundary. Rahane has to watch out for the inward movement.
21.1Broad starts the over with a short of a length ball around off. The ball lands and nips back ever so slightly. Rahul, from the crease, looks to keep it out with the bat coming from a slight angle. The movement takes the inner half of his bat and the ball rolls towards the square leg region for a single. Lack of feet movement can be dangerous for KL. He needs to focus harder.
20.6Well wide of off, Rahane will not play at those, or rather, he should not. 65/3
20.5A short of a good length around off, an out-swinger, Rahul waits back. Then, he opens the bat face at the last moment and steers this one towards the third man region for yet another single.
20.4Similar delivery from Jimmy but this time the Indian vice-captain has tapped it into the point region for a single.
20.3A bit shorter of a length around off, Rahane stands tall and defends with a straight bat.
20.2Keeps it a bit fuller and attacking the off stump. Rahane does well to come forward slightly and block it out.
20.1Anderson starts the new over with a fuller length delivery just outside off and with a bit of away shape on it. Rahul leans forward and creams the drive through the cover region. The ball goes to the man at sweeper cover and allows the exchange of strike.
19.6Similar ball to the previous one and watchfully defended by Ajinkya. 62/3
19.5Good length ball around off, Rahane shows full face of the bat to block it out.
19.4Lands this one on a good length again and starts from just wide of off with the ball coming into Rahane in the air and a bit off the pitch as well. Rahane does really well to account for the movement, gets his foot forward and across and defends it solidly.
19.3Fuller length ball on off, Rahane prods forward and keeps it out.
19.2Pulls his length back a wee bit and lands it on off, Rahane blocks it off the back foot this time.
19.1Keeps it on a good length around off, Rahane defends off the front foot.
Stuart Broad to share the attack.
18.6FOUR! On the last ball of the over, Jimmy drifts on Rahul's pads. KL has flicked it beautifully in front of square leg for a boundary. It brings up his 12th Test fifty. But the job is half done, or even lesser than half. He needs to carry on and stay there as long as possible. 62/3
18.5Goes wide again, left again by KL.
18.4This time Anderson gets it straighter which makes Rahul play at it with a straight bat and block it out.
18.3Jimmy doing what Jimmy does best, consistently landing the nut in the corridor outside the off stump. Rahul points his bat skywards and leaves.
18.2Similar line but a bit fuller this one. Rahul watchfully shoulders arms.
18.1Jimmy starts the day with a short of a length delivery wide outside off. Rahul lets it go. He will have to do that quite a bit today.
We are all set for play to get underway. The umpires and the home team make their way to the middle. The overnight batsmen, Lokesh Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane, stride out with the former taking the strike. It's going to be James Anderson (23/2) to kickoff proceedings. He has three slips in place.
The young sensation, Sam Curran gives a quick interview. Says that this series has been really special for him and he is confident that they will win it 4-1. Adds that he concentrates on playing his natural game and luckily it has come off well. Hopes to celebrate an England victory and ending the series on a high. On sharing the dressing room with Broad and Anderson, he replies that it has been a special feeling and is hopeful that the latter overtakes McGrath today. Further adds that he has been learning a lot from the seniors. Signs off by saying that they are looking forward to give a winning sendoff to Cook who has been a great servant of England cricket.
PITCH REPORT - Sanjay Manjrekar from beside the pitch starts by saying that there is no possibility of rain today. Adds further that the pitch is still good enough for batting. Reckons that the three Indian wickets that fell yesterday evening had nothing to do with the pitch. States that even though there are some rough patches, the pitch is still good enough to survive. Ends by saying that more than the condition of the pitch, it is more about how strongly do the Indian batsmen want to save the match.
Finally, the day has come! After a hard-fought tour spanning over two months, we enter into the final day. Hello and a warm welcome to Day 5 of the fifth and final Test between England and India at The Oval with the number one Test team in the world keen on saving the match and restoring some lost pride. The pair of KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane is gutting it out for them but they have a mighty storm to weather. Will the home side finish on a high and send the Indians packing 4-1? Or will the unbeaten Indian pair take their team to safer shores? Billion dollar questions need some answering. The action starts in a short while. Stay tuned...
... Day 5, Session 1 ...
What's up in store for Tuesday? 90 overs in store in terms of allotment. Can India bat the day out and play the old, gritty style of Test cricket? Or will England claim the series 4-1? Given that we have had results in all the previous matches of this series, a good fighting draw will not be a bad outcome. Join us at 1100 local time (1000 GMT) for all the action from Day 5. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Earlier in the day, it was all about Cook and Root. The duo got to their fifties and converted them into triple figures. The massive 259-run stand took the game away from the visitors as they struggled to cope with Ishant and Shami's injuries.
The session initially began with England in hot pursuit of 500 but then a flurry of wickets changed that. The good thing for them was - there was a flurry from the next innings as well. It was a mad period of 30 minutes. We saw 5 wickets fall in the space of 38 balls - 2 of England and 3 of India. Anderson's twin beauties got Dhawan and Pujara while Broad broke the backbone of India by getting the captain for a nought.
Right then! A forgetful session and a forgetful day for India. They would be happy with that last 45 minutes, with Rahul and Rahane staging some sort of a recovery, but they have a lot of work going into Day 5. Forget the target - they need 406 runs in a possible 90 overs - the fact that they have only 7 wickets in hand, makes it even difficult.
The Oval gives a standing ovation to that man - ALASTAIR COOK. He accepts it and waves in reply, with the cheers growing even louder. It has been his day - scoring a century in his final ever innings with the bat, putting his team on top. Both camps sport smiling faces - England, for picking up 3 wickets with the new ball and India, well, for not losing more than 3 wickets.
A massive relief for Indian fans. They end the day 3 down. Will not have taken that when Dhawan and Rahul walked out to bat but after a nightmarish 20 balls, they would be more than happy to see Rahul and Rahane unscathed at the end of the day.
17.6Full and outside off, Rahane goes back and looks to defend. The ball spins in, takes the inside edge but does not carry to Alastair Cook at short leg. STUMPS ON DAY 4! 58/3
Last ball of the day...
17.5Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
17.4On middle and off, Jinx works it towards short leg.
17.3Tossed up outside off, driven towards mid off.
17.2The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
17.1Full and just outside off, Rahane comes forward and defends.
16.6FOUR! FANTASTIC! Half volley outside off, Rahul leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary! 58/3
16.5Peach. Landed on a length outside off, Rahul feels for it but then the ball moves away and beats the outside edge. Bairstow starts to appeal but no review is taken. Snickometer shows a big gap between bat and ball.
16.4The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
16.3FOUR! 50-RUN STAND IS UP! Much needed for India. They were three down for not many and this stand will give the dressing room a good boost. The rate is good too, consuming just a bit over 13 overs. A half volley, on the pads, Rahul ticks it towards the fine leg fence. Rahul moves to 42 from 48 balls. His 7th boundary.
16.2Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
16.1Full and around off, watchfully defended.
15.6The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 50/3
15.5ALMOST CHOPPED ON! Nervy times for Rahane. Outside off, Rahane looks to block but the ball hits the bottom of his bat and goes over the stumps!
15.4Full and around off, Jinx gets across and works it towards short leg.
15.3Down the leg side, spinning a long way, Rahane misses his flick. Bairstow starts to appeal for a catch but then thinks better of it.
15.2Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off.
15.1Around off, spinning in, pushed towards cover for a single. 50 UP FOR INDIA. 17 balls more to go.
14.6The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. 49/3
14.5The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 29 balls left.
14.4The batsman has pushed it to the cover region.
14.3Full and wide outside off, left alone.
14.2Around middle, Rahul looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses. The ball goes off his pads to the leg side and the batsmen take a leg bye.
14.1Full and outside off, pushed towards cover.
Ben Stokes time.
13.6That is a beauty to end the over. Curran lands it on a length outside off, Rahane looks to defend but then the ball moves away late to beat the outside edge. A maiden over. 48/3
13.5Outside off, punched towards cover.
13.4Full and outside off, driven beautifully but straight to cover.
13.3Back of a length outside off, defended nicely.
13.2Similar ball, blocked to the off side again.
13.1On a length around off, pushed towards cover. 29 more balls left today...
12.6Gets across and works it towards mid-wicket. 48/3
12.5FOUR! Fine shot. Full and around off, Rahul gets down and reverse sweeps it behind point for a boundary. This is now his highest score of this series, after his 36 in the second innings at Trent Bridge.
12.4Overpitched outside off, blocked back to the bowler.
12.3Fuller, outside off, Rahane comes forward to block but the ball goes off the outside edge, towards point. A run taken. Moves to 10.
12.2On middle and off, pushed towards the bowler.
12.1LUCKY! Outside off, Rahul goes back and tries to run it down to third man but the ball spins in off the rough, takes the bottom edge and goes past the stumps towards fine leg. A single taken.
11.6Outside off, pushed towards point. 42/3
11.5Full and on middle, swinging in, worked wide of mid-wicket for a quick single. Adil Rashid has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Rahul would have been in anyways. The stand moves to 40 from 51 balls.
11.4Back of a length around off, watchfully blocked out.
11.3On a length outside off, this one goes away, pushed towards cover. 39 balls left for the day...
11.2The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
11.1The inswinger first up, around off, watchfully pushed towards cover.
Double change. Sam Curran replaces Stuart Broad. The left-arm seamer was the one who dismissed Rahul in the first innings.
10.6Outside off, punched towards the bowler. 41/3
10.5The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
10.4Full and outside off, Rahane looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge. The ball falls short of short leg.
10.3This is outside off, pushed towards cover.
10.2Good loop and change of speed, dips onto the batsman, Rahane comes forward and works it to the leg side.
10.1A touch short to start, outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
Here he comes. First sign of spin in this innings. Moeen Ali to bowl.
9.6Miles outside off, let through. 40/3
9.5Rahul continues playing his shots. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket. However, the ball stops near the ropes and Adil Rashid gets to it from mid-wicket. Three runs taken. Rahul moves to 30 from 32 balls.
9.4Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
9.3Superb bowling. The inswinger, comes in pretty late, Rahul does not vouch for the late movement and looks to flick. Is squared up eventually but the leading edge does not carry to any fielder. Along the ground goes the ball, towards cover.
9.2On middle and off, flicked through square leg for a single.
9.1Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
8.6In the corridor of uncertainty, Rahul thinks about playing at that but then also feels he should let it go. In that indecision, the ball whizzes past the outside edge. 36/3
8.4The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
8.3FOUR! Not too convincing. On a length outside off, Rahul opens the face of his bat and guides it past gully. Ben Stokes dives to his left, gets a hand to it, but is not able to save the boundary.
8.2Good comeback. The inswinger, around off, but Rahul watches it closely and pushes it towards mid-wicket.
8.1FOUR! When you flash, flash hard. Well, as long as Rahul is around, batting is going to be fun and we are going to be at the edges of our seats. Full and wide outside off, swinging away, Rahul reaches out and looks to drive but is done in by the away movement. The outside edge is induced but it flies over the slips to the third man fence. The stand moves to 30 from just 29 balls. Rahul gets his 4th boundary in his 23. 59 more deliveries left in the day...
7.6On a length outside off, coming in, pushed back to mid off. 28/3
7.5Much straighter, turned straight to square leg.
7.4On a length ball wide outside off, angling in, AR shoulders arms.
7.3A length ball outside off, Jinx comes forward and pushes it towards mid off.
7.2A bit wider outside off, left alone.
7.1FOUR! FABULOUS! That is extraordinary timing from Rahane. Full and outside off, Ajinkya gets a good stride forward and just pushes it through the covers. The timing and the outfield make the result as a four.
6.6Outside off, Ajinkya comes forward and pushes it towards point for a run. 24/3
6.5Another lovely shot. Overpitched, outside off, Rahul comes forward again and drives it straight back past the bowler. The ball stops near the ropes and Sam Curran comes from somewhere to stop it. Three runs taken.
6.4FOUR! ELEGANT! Rahul continues to strut his stuff. Half volley outside off, the opener comes forward and drives it through the covers for a boundary!
6.3The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
6.2Outside off, played towards point for a single.
6.1Full and just outside off, watchfully defended.
5.6On middle and leg, Rahane works it through square leg for a run. 15/3
5.5The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
5.4Way outside off, left alone again.
5.3Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.
5.2FOUR! Short and wide outside off, Rahul crashes it through point for a boundary.
5.1Outside off, Rahane taps it to the off side and sets off for a quick single. The fielder from short cover charges in, gets to the ball, picks it up, turns and looks to throw but Broad comes in his way and the fielder aborts his throw.
4.6On a length outside off, Rahul feels for it but misses. 8/3
4.5The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman.
4.4Full on middle, pushed towards mid on.
4.3NOT OUT! England lose a review. Perhaps they got carried away with the flow. A length ball outside off, nipping back in sharply, Rahul looks to defend but misses. He is hit on the pads and the ball then lobs to slip. Anderson appeals for LBW but then the slip cordon comes charging in, celebrating. Captain Root is forced into the review by his mates, as they reckon there is an inside edge. Technology shows that there is no bat involved in contact with the ball. Moving over to the LBW check, well, the ball is shown to be going over the stumps.
Is that another? England reckon they have Rahul caught at slip. Umpire Wilson has shook his head, so Root takes the review.
4.2FOUR! No point in defending balls when they are moving so much. Better make use of the gifts. Short and wide outside off, Rahul leaps and slashes it over point for a boundary!
4.1On middle and leg, flicked through square leg for a couple.
3.6Another solid defense off the front foot. Broad ends a successful over. 2/3
3.5Outside off, easily left alone.
3.4Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
3.3Around off, shortish, kept out.
Ajinkya Rahane comes in to try out and salvage something now.
3.2OUT! Oh dear! Skipper, what have you done? Don's record stays intact of scoring 600 or more runs in four series as of now. Broad bowls an enticing full ball way outside off. Kohli reaches out for it, unlike his previous innings and goes for a golden duck first time in this series. He edges it to Bairstow and Broad runs in celebration right away. What a scalp to have but he took a chance away from his counterpart. Had Anderson taken his wicket, he would've had him for the first time in this series. Nonetheless, England aren't complaining as India are reeling at 4/3 now. What a pair this has been for England.
3.1On the pads, flicked to the on side for a run.
Virat Kohli walks in at no. 4 and quite early then he would've liked.
2.6OUT! Anderson, you beauty! What a bowler he has been. Two wickets in an over and India are in all kinds of trouble here. A full ball coming in after pitching outside off. Pujara fails to get his bat behind the line and gets rapped on the front pad. Before Anderson could appeal, the umpire has his finger up. Pujara has an extended discussion with Rahul, goes for the review but he was too late as the given 15 seconds flew away faster than he would've have wanted. Never mind! This is Anderson's 563rd wicket and he equals another great as the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket for pacers, Glenn McGrath. India are 2/2 in 3 overs. 1/2
2.5High, too high for the umpire to give him out. This one comes in with the angle and hits on the thigh pad of Pujara on his back pad. An appeal from the bowler but the umpire declines.
2.4On the hips, tucked to the on side.
Pujara is the next man in.
2.3OUT! Gone! Dhawan and his Test career walking back perhaps. Another failure for him. Anderson has his first, adds another victim to his long list of 562 wickets. He traps him in line of the stumps with a full ball and Dhawan fails to get bat on it. The players appeal and the umpire obliges. England need just need 9 more such balls to wrap this Test!
2.2On off, shortish, defended.
2.1On middle and leg, tapped to the on side.
1.6In line of the stumps, on a length, kept out. 1/0
1.5Short and down the leg side, Rahul fails to put bat to ball.
1.4Comes back in with the angle in line of the stumps, KL defends it.
1.3Gets off the mark. A short ball around off, SD taps it to point and takes the runs to get to the other end.
1.2Similar channel and Dhawan lets it be.
1.1Wide, full, left alone
Stuart Broad to share the attack.
0.6Oooh! A play and a miss. Not a shot you should play against Jimmy, that too in the initial spell. A flash to play it through backward point but he fails to connect with the ball. 0/0
0.5Hangs back and keeps out the short of a length ball outside off.
0.4Wide down the leg side, No trouble at all for KL as he leaves it alone.
0.3Outside off, defended.
0.2Outside off, left alone.
0.1Starts his innings, just like the first one, with a back foot punch. Last time he got it through covers but he found the fielder this time. A good channel around off from Anderson to start the last innings of this elongated tour.
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