Summary

  • Rohit and Rahul see India through to close unscathed

  • Pope's 81 helps England to first-innings lead after coming in at 61-5

  • Woakes hits 50 at number nine - England lead by 99 runs

  • India 191: Thakur 57, Kohli 50, Woakes 4-55

  • Fourth Test, day two, Kia Oval

  • Five-Test series level at 1-1

  • Today at the Test, BBC Four, 19:00 BST

  1. Fourth Test remains finely poisedpublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    That's your lot from The Oval on day two.

    Scroll down for all of the reaction and highlights.

    Which way will this Test go? Make sure you're back at 10:45 BST tomorrow to find out.

    Don't forget about tonight's highlights on BBC Four at 19:00.

  2. Postpublished at 18:55 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    Missed any of today? Head over here for Stephan Shemilt's full report on another intriguing day.

  3. Postpublished at 18:50 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    Deep Dasgupta
    Former India wicketkeeper on BBC Test Match Special

    If you look at the last 50 overs, the gives you a fair idea of how it might play tomorrow. Once that ball gets older it hasn't really done much.

    Some of the shots England played today were on the rise, you could hit through the line, that’s how good this pitch is and it is not going to change tomorrow. That should help the Indian mindset.

    These openers have done a fabulous job, creating that platform. One big boxed ticked today, a few more to come tomorrow.

  4. Postpublished at 18:48 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    If you go back to yesterday 13 wickets fell. Today there has only been seven and that tells you the pitch is getting better.

    It will be a good day for batting tomorrow. You have to fancy this India batting line-up to play to the standard we know they can play.

    The pitch will tell you that you should bat all day tomorrow. They will probably score at just over three an over, so there will be 250 runs on offer. That would give them a 200-run lead going into day four, which would make this game very interesting indeed.

  5. 'I was pretty gutted'published at 18:46 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    England batter Ollie Pope, speaking to Sky Sports: "I was pretty gutted [to get out for 81]. Home ground, it would have been a dream to get over the line. I would have taken it [a score of 81 before the match] but gutted at the same time.

    "It is a good pitch now. Hopefully the clouds roll in tomorrow and we can get it swinging."

  6. Postpublished at 18:43 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    But how crucial could Chris Woakes' 50 be? After Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali and Pope fell Woakes dragged England's lead by to 99.

    He put on 35 for the final wicket with Jimmy Anderson.

  7. Postpublished at 18:40 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    In the main England have Ollie Pope to thank. He led the recovery from 62-5 with an innings Michael Vaughan described as his best in Tests.

    He took England to 250-7 before he fell 19 runs short of a second Test century.

  8. Postpublished at 18:38 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    As Ebony says this game is right in the balance. I still think England are favourites and don't forget they were 62-5 earlier today. Things could have been much worse.

  9. Postpublished at 18:36 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Former England batter on BBC Test Match Special

    KL RahulImage source, Getty Images

    This match is massively too close to call. It's swung one way then the other.

    The key moment last night was Joe Root, the key moment tonight is India not losing a wicket and going in 43-0. They have weathered that storm.

    There isn't a huge amount happening. At some stage you feeling someone will cash-in and go big, turning it into a finely-poised Test match.

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 18:34 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    #bbccricket

    Slog sweeper: Indian openers done well here. Fair play! They have not let the occasion of a tough hour in the evening get to them and looked to be positive. Good cricket.

  11. Close of play - Ind 43-0published at 16 overs

    Trail by 56

    The crowd roars Overton in but it fails to have the desired effect.

    There ends another absorbing day.

    England are still favourites. Just.

  12. Ind 43-0published at 15.5 overs

    One ball remains in the day as the India fans continue to dance.

  13. Ind 42-0published at 15.3 overs

    There are plenty of empty seats now with the crowd drifting away. One section that is still busy is where the Bharat Army are situated. They're waving their flags and singing their songs.

    Rohit looks like he's facing a spinner here, so much time does he have against Overton.

  14. Postpublished at 18:29 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    Craig Overton is going to bowl the final over. How England would love him to get one here.

  15. Postpublished at 18:28 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    Daniel Norcross
    Commentator on BBC Test Match Special

    You would have thought this first hour was a great opportunity to bowl with a bit of intensity, but it hasn't quite materialised.

    Very good batting from the India opening pairing, again.

  16. Ind 42-0published at 15 overs

    Trail by 57

    CricViz have it as neck and neck but I still have England as slight favourites. There'll be time for one more over tonight.

  17. How's stat?!published at 18:27 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

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  18. Ind 42-0published at 14.3 overs

    RobinsonImage source, Getty Images

    Rohit and Rahul are dealing with Ollie Robinson easily at the moment. He looks like he might benefit from a good night's sleep.

  19. Eng 40-0published at 14 overs

    Rohit 18, Rahul 21

    I'm surprised we haven't had an over of Moeen Ali tonight.

  20. Postpublished at 18:23 British Summer Time 3 September 2021

    Daniel Norcross
    Commentator on BBC Test Match Special

    This game is increasingly feeling like a one-innings contest with India potentially having the best of the batting conditions. I think England may have thrown away their advantage and left the best part of 50-75 runs out there.