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

Live Reporting

Matthew Henry, Timothy Abraham and Thomas Mallows

  1. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special

    What was that, Moeen Ali?! What a frustrating stroke. It feels as if he's given it away as England were moving towards a position of strength.

  2. wicket

    WICKET

    Moeen Ali c Rohit b Jadeja 35 (222-7)

    And there you have it!

    Out of nowhere Moeen Ali goes for a wild slog and the completely skies it. Rohit Sharma comes in from cover and takes the catch.

    A huge wicket for India.

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

    JadejaReuters

    There's zero opportunities with the conditions for India. They need to generate opportunities through pressure and good line and length.

  4. Eng 221-6

    A smile breaks out onto Virat Kohli's face as he stands in his usual position at slip.

    Underneath though he must be frustrated. England are well on top and conditions are perfect for batting.

    He needs to hope his bowlers can somehow engineer a wicket before tea. It could be a long evening session if they don't.

  5. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special

    This felt like a pivotal day in the series - win today and you have a great chance of winning the series.

  6. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Mark Pearson: Re Rachel at 14:45. I think you are wrong to complain about the fans. I personally think this England team are not a Test side, but they are a T20 side playing a Test match. Until we have players who can bat through an innings or bowl out the tail end then we haven't got a Test side.

  7. Eng 219-6

    New ball, same result.

    Mohammed Siraj is back into the attack but Moeen Ali cracks his first delivery through the covers for four.

  8. India were not happy with the ball and they have finally persuaded the umpires for a change. Out comes the box of spares and a replacement is picked.

    Virat Kohli still doesn't look too pleased, mind.

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

    AshwinGetty Images

    Where is Ashwin?!

    These aren't bowler-friendly conditions but the very best bowlers find just enough. Jadeja has been bowling 60mph flat deliveries. Ashwin would bring some tricks which would induce the odd mistake.

  10. Eng 215-6

    Lead by 24

    Ravindra Jadeja comes in again. He's into his 11th over with no reward so far.

    It's all very straightforward and serene for Pope and Moeen though as they rotate the strike for two singles apiece.

  11. Daniel Norcross
    Commentator on BBC Test Match Special

    My internal win predictor is giving England a 68% chance of victory from here, with the draw at 3%.

  12. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Steve L: Proper good, hard, scrappy Test Cricket this is. And Moeen Ali is a legend, but we knew that already.

  13. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    England are making good use of the fact the ball has now gone soft.

  14. Eng 209-6

    Lead by 18

    Moeen Ali is enjoying himself.

    It's banged in short by Umesh Yadav but it just sits up and Moeen is on it in a flash, pulling through mid-wicket for four.

    Glorious.

  15. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport at the Kia Oval

    I'm slightly nervous about that massive piece of wall dangling from a crane at the flats that being built behind the famous Oval gas tower.

    Crane

  16. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Dan Wilko: I’ve sometimes been a harsh critic of Moeen Ali, but it’s good to see him in some sort of good form with the bat. Keep going lads and build that lead.

  17. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    MoeenGetty Images

    Some proper batting has broken out at The Oval...

  18. Eng 201-6

    Alii 22 Pope 65

    Ollie Pope, shirt sleeves, collar up, sunblock on. He is looking more confident and in control with each delivery.

    He dabs one into the on-side and scampers through for a quick single.

    Moeen Ali. Calm and composed, then drives one straight down the ground for four. The next delivery is short, smacks Moeen on the elbow and flies down to fine leg for four.

    That's the 50 partnership. Lovely stuff from the England batsmen.

  19. Daniel Norcross
    Commentator on BBC Test Match Special

    England were rocking when these two came together, but Moeen has looked calm.

  20. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport at the Kia Oval

    I'm a huge fan of the cameraman's lucky cat...

    Cat