Summary

  • England bowled out for 178 - India need 420 to win or to bat for just over a day

  • Root top-scores with 40; six wickets for Ashwin

  • England choose not to enforce follow-on but lose Burns first ball

  • Ishant takes 300th Test wicket by dismissing Lawrence lbw

  • Two wickets each for Leach and Anderson as India bowled out for 337

  • First Test, day four, Chennai

  1. Eng 95-4published at 08:16 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    Root 36, Lawrence 18

    Blimey. Bumrah responds with a brute of a delivery that lifts from the pitch. Thankfully for Root it's the first ball he has missed all day.

    Again, that's a sign that batting last on this pitch will not be easy.

  2. Eng 95-4published at 21.4 overs

    Root adds to Bumrah's pain by guiding him down to third man for four a couple of balls later. Kohli comes in to fiddle with his field. Bumrah looks dismayed.

    Root is single-handedly bringing down the heart rate of a nation.

  3. Not outpublished at 08:13 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    Another excellent on-field decision. Bumrah's confidence is misplaced. The ball would have narrowly misses the top of leg stump.

  4. Postpublished at 08:12 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    There's no bat. This is close, you know.

  5. India reviewpublished at 21.2 overs

    Now then. Jasprit Bumrah is convinced he has Root lbw. He immediately tells Kohli to review.

  6. Eng 91-4published at 21.1 overs

    Jasprit Bumrah is into the attack for the first time in this innings. It's a surprise it has taken him this long.

    His first ball is a no-ball - the fifth of the innings - which Root gloves fine down the leg side for four.

  7. Get Involvedpublished at 08:10 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    #bbccricket

    Simon M: Contrast Pope's review with Lawrence's. One was used to overturn a rotten decision from the umpire; the other was pure optimism. The review system needs to be used with wisdom & discernment, not just because you're grumpy about a decision.

  8. Eng 86-4published at 21 overs

    Lead by 327

    Pope becomes the latest batsman to show England's attacking intent by hoisting Ashwin high over the leg side. It goes a long way up and bounces just inside the rope before being flicked back excellently by Washington Sundar.

    Pope backs that up with two reverse sweeps. The second comes off the toe and almost ends up back at the bowler.

  9. Postpublished at 08:05 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on the Cricket Social

    The umpire was almost convinced by the appeal. He kind of got conned into it by the fielders.

  10. Not outpublished at 08:05 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    Pope survives. He knew straight away. There's no bat or glove on that. That's the first decision the on-field umpires have got wrong all Test.

    RootImage source, BCCI
  11. Postpublished at 08:03 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    We're waiting for Ultra-edge.

  12. Postpublished at 08:03 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    It's close to the bat but looks more like it has hit Pope's arm...

  13. England reviewpublished at 08:03 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    Pope is given out caught by a close catcher but he reviews immediately.

    He must know this hasn't hit bat or glove.

  14. Postpublished at 08:02 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on the Cricket Social

    Joe Root's innings has been a half-an-hour masterclass on how to sweep the ball. Yet again.

  15. Eng 79-4published at 20 overs

    Root 27, Pope 8

    Ishant continues to get the ball to swing into the pads. The plan is clear from India. They're looking for an lbw or a catch for one of three fielders they have positioned on the leg side.

    Pope still plays the clip off the pads, despite those catchers, and he gets enough on it to ensure there's no opportunity for India.

  16. 'Staggered Buttler hasn't come in'published at 08:00 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on the Cricket Social

    I'm amazed that Jos Buttler hasn't come in. I'm staggered. He is the best striker of a ball England have, and they need quick runs. I'm amazed.

  17. Eng 76-4published at 19.1 overs

    Ollie Pope produces an Ian Bell special to drive the ball through the covers. Lovely stuff.

  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 07:58 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    #bbccricket

    Freddie Felton: With the T20 World Cup being played in India this year, and Joe Root currently scoring at two a ball on a fourth-day Test-match wicket, he HAS to play for England. If concerns about resting him, rest Root from ODI series and perhaps a couple of Tests in the summer.

    RootImage source, BCCI
  19. Eng 72-4published at 19 overs

    Root 27, Pope 1

    India clearly still believe this target is in reach as they all leap into the air in unison when Pope's first ball is edge perilously close to short leg. They're excited, desperate for more wickets.

    How should Pope play this. keep pressing on or dig in for a bit?

  20. Postpublished at 07:54 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February 2021

    Ollie Pope joins his captain in the middle.

    The lead is 312. India are still a long, long way behind in the game but they do not give up.