For the large parts, this Karun Nair ton has been one of least remarkable, most uncertain maiden Test tons you could see. This, however, is a dreamy cover drive off Ball, who has lost his length. Adil Rashid has only bowled one over today. He's got 23 wickets in this series...

Image source, Reuters

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Ashwin now has 250 runs to go with his 28 wickets in the series and is just the eighth player to do the double of 250 runs and 25 wickets, only the second Indian after Kapil Dev.

Cricket balls on a Christmas tree! I'm not sure that will be beaten today. Still Moeen, spinning catches from hand to hand with the ball just brushing his beard. Ashwin, usually about as mobile as a wardrobe, shows some fleet feet to make room and cut for four. It definitely feel likes the charge is beginning.

Lady Lainey Robinson: My 'crickmas' tree. It's up in my dining room as we speak  

Image source, Twitter

That, from Geoffrey, is quite outstanding. Is cricket equipment usually made from horse hair? If not, what makes horse hair so good at getting the ball to die? Speaking of outstanding, Karun Nair ramping a Ball short delivery over the wicketkeeper for four is pretty special. India might just be tickling the accelerator. The highlights keep coming, too...

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

I had my pads specially made with horse hair so the ball died when it hit them. I used to take a little bit of the top flap off as well so the umpires thought any lbw was going over the top.

Ind 480-5published at 07:00 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2016

07:00 GMT 19 December 2016

Lead by 3

Just waking up? Morning. You're greeted by a Ravichandran Ashwin six, a dance to loft Moeen Ali over deep mid-wicket. On a pretty sleepy day, that is one of the more exciting things to happen. Karun Nair has a maiden Test ton, Liam Dawson his first wicket, but that's about it.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

I'm not sure they have enough batting to be able to power a bit. if they're still batting at tea and 70 ahead then they can play a few shots, they will have to see who is batting.

The India dressing room is a relaxed place. The players sit on leather chairs with all worries of men about to called in for a massage. Jake Ball, tall and blond, angles in with a towel poking from the waistband of his trousers. The odd change of pace, decent line, maiden to Ashwin.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

I think the pitch will win out in the end. England haven't always played the spinners well, but not everybody's going to get out, we saw from some of the lower-order batsmen how easy it's been to play.

This is the penultimate day of Test cricket before Christmas. Are you feeling festive? Is it possible to incorporate cricket into celebrations? Maybe a little Mike Gatting figure on top of the tree? Or a family tradition of playing cricket on Christmas Day? Maybe, just maybe, you've spent Christmas with a cricketer? Let me know about your crickety Christmas.

Prakash Wakankar
BBC Test Match Special commentator

Karun Nair has had his share of luck, but he's batted with gumption. It's not been a dominating hundred, scratchy in patches.

Sometimes you can't help but think that Alastair Cook captains a little by numbers. Neither Moeen or Jake Ball were used this morning, yet they are the first two men to bowl after lunch. It's like he only noticed they were there when he sat down for his chicken biryani. Nice from Ball, off stump and around. Nair defends with rare authority.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

Why's he playing at that? Must be eight or nine inches outside off stump.

The lesser-spotted Moeen Ali after lunch, immediately asking for a bat-pad against Ashwin. It looks a good shout on first glance but replays show that umpire Erasmus was quite right in his decision that no bat was involved. Ashwin will be pleased to see such amounts of turn and bounce. It's like putting the honey pot in front of Winnie the Pooh.

Sahil Oberoi: Expect India to come out with intent after lunch, they're the only team that seems interested in forcing a result.

Thanks, Jamie. JL is from Sussex and will be driving home for Christmas after this Test. He's been challenged to listen to the Chris Rea classic of the same name all the way. If you could tell me how many times you could listen to that track in a five-hour drive, I'd be most grateful.

Time to hand to Stephan Shemilt, but can I offer you one more Cricket Comedy from yesterday? "Knott Going Out" a veteran former England wicketkeeper embarks on a will they-won't they relationship with a glamorous, straight-talking lady in a London town flat. Ok, I'll get the coffees. India 14 behind with five wickets intact.

Ed Smith
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

There will be an odd moment for him in March or April where everyone else goes back for pre-season training. Every cricketer has to find an "Act II" - Taylor's an intelligent and thoughtful person, so he'll have more time and space to pick the Act II that suits him. The best of luck to him.

Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

Stokes' stature in the team has changed because he has become a leader and he sets the mood. Whatever he's doing the players would like to be there because he's quite a charismatic character and they look up to him. He has had a good tour without ever managing to repeat anything like that crazy innings in South Africa. Here he has actually reminded me in some ways of Graham Thorpe, because he's always having to repair the innings which I don't want, because people will fear him more when he plays with freedom.