When Rohit Sharma threw his cap on the floor 20 minutes before the end of play it was the action of a captain at the end of a bad day.
But really India won on points after three sessions of hard-fought Test cricket that delivered two harsh lessons for England. One, the value of hundreds and, two, to take chances on Indian pitches.
Rohit chucking his cap was the most exuberant thing he did all day, and that includes at any time during his 131. It was a rare show of emotion from Mr Cool, but he lost his rag because debutant Sarfaraz Khan was sold short by Ravindra Jadeja and run out for 67.
At 326 for five, Rohit knows India are still in their red zone. They have carelessly let slip first-innings scores of 400 before and with this ball two overs old, James Anderson and Mark Wood will feel they are still in the game after a night’s rest. Wood was outstanding all day, and at the end of almost everything good that England did.
Ben Stokes did not look too pleased by his team’s performance either so both captains went home dissatisfied. England dropped Rohit on 27, at 47 for three, and he made them pay with 131. Two non-reviews cost wickets too – although both were hard to pick up – as for once Stokes’ gambler instinct deserted him.
England dominated the first hour, Wood ripping out two and Tom Hartley grabbing the other, but it was India in control for the rest of the day.
Jadeja may have upset Rohit at the end, but he played a superb measured innings batting at No 5 and justifying the decision to promote him up the order with an unbeaten 110.
His 204-run stand with Rohit came with India 33 for three after winning the toss. Theirs was the first 100-run stand against England this series and by both scoring hundreds they took India’s tally of centuries to four in three Tests. England have scored one. Therein lies the challenge. Without a big innings, it will be tough to win on a pitch that is spinning.
The day turned on the dropped catch and India’s decision to rejig their order. Jadeja was sent out at No 5 where he averaged 11, in the ninth over of the match, the earliest he has gone to the wicket in Test cricket. It was done to protect the two debutants – Sarfaraz Khan and keeper Dhruv Jurel – from facing a flying Anderson and Wood.
It meant that by the time Sarfaraz came in for his first innings in Test cricket the score was 237 for four, Anderson and Wood were running on fumes and he could unfurl the shots that got him talent-spotted on Mumbai’s Azad Maidan as a child.
His first day in Test cricket brought a 47-ball half-century and he was bereft when run out by a direct hit from Wood at mid-on. Jadeja had slowed to a crawl in his 90s. On 99 he pushed a ball from Anderson to the leg side, set off but stopped, sending Sarfaraz back.
England would have trusted Sarfaraz on debut to handle the heat at three down, believing that is how you give a new player confidence. Indian cricket is more hierarchical. In the end it was a good decision to push Jadeja up because it brought out the best of his fighting instincts. On his home ground, he produced a classic Test innings on an Indian pitch, seeing off the seamers, pouncing on the spinners when they erred in length to reach his hundred off 198 balls, although his sword-twirling celebration was sheepish after the run out.
The early moisture gave Anderson and Wood a crumb to work with and England looked a better attack with two seamers. The pair put in an immense effort all day, always looking threatening. Wood took two with the new ball and bounced out Rohit after tea. His bounce discomfited Yashasvi Jaiswal, who edged to slip, and Shubman Gill never looked happy facing real pace in a nine-ball duck.
Rohit was the key. Wood gave him a wake up with an 89mph bouncer to the grille, Anderson landed a shiny bruise on the inner thigh. Rohit used his feet to hit Hartley for four over midwicket and for that reason Root was slightly wrong-footed when two balls later he tried the same shot over the leg side. This time the ball turned and took the edge as the bat face closed, but Root could not hold on with two hands diving to his left.
Rohit overturned an lbw on 29, the review showing a faint inside edge when beaten all ends up by Anderson nipping it back into the pads. Rohit had to do something. He began to bat out of his crease to knock Anderson off his lengths and use his feet to the spinners.
He had 50 by lunch and India built steadily in the afternoon, England enduring their first wicketless session of the series. Rohit could have been out on 87 when he missed a sweep off Rehan Ahmed. England did not review the leg before, and it was so marginal it took the broadcaster four overs to work out whether it hit the glove (so counted as lbw) and not arm.
Rohit barely bothered to celebrate his hundred, energy was to be spent batting instead. Stokes burned a review on Rohit in desperation as England needed a breakthrough. His old mate Wood did the business. His bouncer barrage to legside field worked, Rohit mistiming a pull.
On 93, Jadeja prodded forward in defence to Hartley who made a half-hearted appeal. England did not consider a review, but it hit pad first. It is hard to judge such decisions on the field in real time but it would have been galling for those in the England dressing room to see three red lights flash up a few moments later. Soon it was Rohit seeing red instead. It was that kind of twisty-turny day.
Third Test, day one: As it happened
12:09 PM GMT
The thoughts of Sir Geoffrey Boycott…
12:00 PM GMT
England assistant coach speaks to TNT Sports
Paul Collingwood: “It’s been a good day of Test cricket, they’ve got some highly skilled batters, they fought back really well. Woody’s run-out, Jimmy at 41, they’ve been working all day.
“Sometimes he [Wood] doesn’t get the rewards, the skipper going to bouncing plans with him. Jaiswal has been good form and he’s pleased with the run-out, he broke that partnership.
“The morning session was a bit cooler, it nipped around a bit. So tomorrow we’ve got a fresh new ball, we’ll be looking to take early wickets.”
After presenting Ben Stokes with his 100th cap: “It’s been incredible to know him. To present him with his 100th cap was pretty emotional, it’s great for the team to acknowledge the efforts he’s put in over the years. We’re all grateful his Dad came over to Cumbria! He’s been tremendous.”
11:58 AM GMT
Astounding Jadeja…
Ravindra Jadeja at home in 42 Tests: averages 42 with the bat and 21 with the ball.
Along with Ravichandran Ashwin, Jadeja has been the most important figure in India’s 16 straight series wins at home since 2012, giving India wonderful balance
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) February 15, 2024
11:57 AM GMT
A decent stat
Including this morning, there have been 60 occasions where three wickets have been taken in the first 10 overs of a Test match. However, England today had the third-longest wait to take their fourth. Kudos to India.
11:43 AM GMT
England missed chances
England had some misfortune certainly, with Rohit riding his luck early in his innings but three moments will stand out for Stokes and his men when they review the day. The Joe Root drop of Sharma early in the first session should really have been taken. As if that didn’t sting enough, Stokes then failed to review an lbw shout that would have removed the India captain before he got to three figures. To make matters worse, England also missed a chance to review a Jadeja lbw chance that would also have been given out should it have been sent to the TV umpire.
11:37 AM GMT
Intriguing day…
…which has to belong to India after they rebuilt their innings having been 33-3 earlier this morning. Sharma and Jadeja must take the lion’s share of credit but spare a thought for young Sarfaraz Khan, who would have let his mind start wandering towards the idea of a magical century on debut before being run out by Jadeja. Either way, India look to have rolled another serious batter off the production line.
11:33 AM GMT
OVER 85: IND 326/5 (Jadeja 110 Yadav 1)
Final over of the day from Anderson. Yadav plays and misses again, he’ll consider himself fortunate if he survives to the end of the day. Yadav knocks one out into the off side looking for two but they can’t get back much to the chagrin of Jadeja. No matter though, he flicks Anderson for four off his pads before seeing out the final delivery of the day.
11:29 AM GMT
OVER 84: IND 322/5 (Jadeja 106 Yadav 0)
Root takes the new ball at the other end but overpitches, giving Jadeja an easy four-ball down the ground. Jadeja faces four balls and then turns down a single from the last ball of the over to leave Yadav on strike…doesn’t fancy Anderson clearly.
11:25 AM GMT
OVER 84: IND 315/5 (Jadeja 100 Yadav 0)
Bit more nip and bounce with the new ball for Anderson. Another wicket before the close would be manna from heaven for England. Kuldeep has been sent out with just one objective here…do not get out. Two or three beauties from Anderson, who is getting this new ball to talk in the closing stages of the day.
11:20 AM GMT
OVER 83: IND 315/5 (Jadeja 100 Yadav 0)
Maiden from Tom Hartley. Here comes the third umpire with a NEW BALL in his hand.
11:17 AM GMT
OVER 82: IND 315/5 (Jadeja 100 Yadav 0)
Hundred for Jadeja. A ball after running out Sarfaraz. His celebration is uncharacteristically subdued in light of what happened the ball before but make no mistake. That has been a superb knock for Jadeja.
11:14 AM GMT
WICKET
Sarfarz run out (Wood) 62
Oh lord. Jadeja wants the single for his century but it’s never on. Sarafaraz turns quickly to try and get back in his ground but Wood’s through gives him no chance. He’s yards out. A cruel end to a fine innings. FOW: 314/5
Jadeja, on 99, has absolutely stuffed the debutant! Drills it hard to mid-on, sets off, then changes his mind. All the while, Wood has time to blast the stumps down, and it’s see you later, Sarfaraz. That’s the third run out Jadeja has been involved in in three innings this series. Funnily enough, the celebration of his hundred is rather more subdued than usual when he brings it up next ball.
11:09 AM GMT
OVER 81: IND 310/4 (Jadeja 96 Sarfaraz 61)
Sarfaraz has looked imperious against spin but perhaps slightly less assured against the pace of Mark Wood, who is now back into the attack. The field is set to shot stuff and Wood duly delivers, peppering the youngster with bumpers from around the wicket. Sarfaraz stands tall though.
11:04 AM GMT
OVER 80: IND 310/4 (Jadeja 96 Sarfaraz 61)
Amid Sarfaraz Khan’s blitz, it’s been easy to forget that Jadeja is just four runs away from a century. He’s had the best seat in the house to watch Khan’s knock but now it’s his turn to hit his milestone. Anderson, though, is keeping it tight and had the slips cordon up in the air after a delivery that is clearly heading down the leg side.
11:00 AM GMT
OVER 79: IND 310/4 (Jadeja 96 Sarfaraz 61)
Sarfaraz is happy to drop deep into his crease when facing Hartley but is drawn forward by a beautifully flighted delivery, which beats him all ends up. Sarfaraz takes no chances this time, taking a bigger stride down the ground and pumping Hartley over the top for four more.
10:57 AM GMT
OVER 78: IND 306/4 (Jadeja 96 Sarfaraz 57)
England leaking runs now. Foakes is stood up to Anderson to keep Sarfaraz in his crease. He was a good foot outside for the first two balls of that over. Seven from the over. The toil is real now.
10:51 AM GMT
OVER 77: IND 299/4 (Jadeja 96 Sarfaraz 50)
Jadeja can sniff three-figures and comes charging down to Hartley. He gets an inside edge and ball balloons up to the vacant gap at short leg. Stokes shakes his head. Moments later Sarfaraz moves to 49 with a majestic strike over Hartley’s head for six, before moving to 50 with a neat flick off his pads. Superb innings from Sarfaraz on Test debut.
10:47 AM GMT
‘Handy little knock’
This is a very handy little knock from Sarfaraz, who has a ridiculously good first-class record, just when England thought they had made some major progress with the Rohit dismissal. England are bowling for the new balls, it feels.
10:45 AM GMT
OVER 76: IND 291/4 (Jadeja 95 Sarfaraz 43)
Root continues and Sarfaraz is starting to pick off some tired-looking England bowlers. Another powerful sweep finds the boundary and he’s raced to 42 off 43 balls. Jadeja is taking his time in the nineties but jogs through for a single after knocking out to Rehan at deep mid-wicket.
10:42 AM GMT
OVER 75: IND 285/4 (Jadeja 94 Sarfaraz 38)
Replays from Tom Hartley’s last over show England might have missed another review, this time on Jadeja. Stokes has uncharacteristically cun-shy with reviews today, missing potential wickets for both Rohit and now Jadeja. Sarfaraz is wasting little time in acclimatising as he drill Hartley back down the ground for four, before rocking back and picking up a further boundary over mid-wicket.
10:38 AM GMT
OVER 74: IND 275/4 (Jadeja 94 Sarfaraz 29)
Hard sweep from Sarfaraz sends the ball racing past the man at square leg for a boudary. There were cries of ‘catch it’. Would have been some catch might I say.
10:34 AM GMT
OVER 73: IND 269/4 (Jadeja 93 Sarfaraz 23)
Some tired-looking deliveries from Hartley, dragging the ball short and then pushing full. He’s lucky Jadeja does not cash more than just singles.
10:32 AM GMT
OVER 72: IND 265/4 (Jadeja 91 Sarfaraz 21)
Root to Sarfaraz. The young batter does appear willing to take his time here. There’s been a paucity of false shots until he pull the trigger on a risky-looking sweep. It’s a top edge and could have gone anywhere. Fortunately, if you’re Indian it loops over fine leg’s head for four.
10:26 AM GMT
OVER 71: IND 259/4 (Jadeja 90 Sarfaraz 16)
Hartley is back into the attack after his decent spell after lunch. Sarfaraz look comfortable but his defence to spinner for the front foot looks a shade hard-handed. Perhaps a silly point might be a prudent field position.
10:22 AM GMT
OVER 70: IND 258/4 (Jadeja 90 Sarfaraz 15)
Root continues with his wide-on-the-crease and roundarm deliveries from round the wicket to right-hander Sarfaraz. He gets forward quite well, down low and tries to manoeuvre the ball into the gaps. Well, that seems to be his natural inclination against spin.
He is inclined to get the long handle out next ball, however, going over the top and getting four over deep midwicket! No real risk there if he got hold of it and he did.
10:16 AM GMT
OVER 68: IND 253/4 (Jadeja 90 Sarfaraz 10)
Spin from both ends as Rehan continues. In fairness Anderson and Wood have bowled a good haul of overs so far today. A horrible short and wide googly is cut for four by Sarfaraz. Got what it deserved. A first boundary in Tests for the debutant. That will be drinks.
10:14 AM GMT
OVER 68: IND 246/4 (Jadeja 89 Sarfaraz 4)
Joe Root returns to the attack and concedes just two to Jadeja off his first set back. A couple before close would put a good complexion on the day for England. One would improve things. 300-4 or whatever wouldn’t be great…
10:08 AM GMT
OVER 67: IND 244/4 (Jadeja 87 Sarfaraz 4)
Rehan Ahmed into his 13th over of the day, 0-44 so far not exactly the best economy rate but not awful, either. Sarfaraz plays late and well into his crease. Just two singles from it.
10:04 AM GMT
OVER 66: IND 242/4 (Jadeja 86 Sarfaraz 3)
Wood tries a slow yorker but gets it a bit wrong and Sarfaraz punches it towards wide long on for three runs. He is off the mark in Test cricket. It’s always a relief to get on the scoreboard in any game and especially today. Jadeja then pulls and down but it is not too far away from landing at catching height for one of three fielders put there on the leg side exactly for that reason.
10:00 AM GMT
OVER 65: IND 238/4 (Jadeja 85 Sarfaraz 0)
Decent over from Rehan, just the one from it. Sarfaraz falls over trying to sweep and Foakes whips off the bails but he’s well within his ground with his back foot grounded.
09:58 AM GMT
‘Soft dismissal but beautiful innings’
“Soft dismissal ok but it was still a beautiful innings by Rohit Sharma and we may not see its like again very often in the future. Rohit strokes the ball, never clubs or smites it like young batsmen do today – and have to do if they are ever going to play T20.”
09:56 AM GMT
OVER 64: IND 237/4 (Jadeja 84 Sarfaraz 0)
That wicket brings Sarfaraz Khan to the wicket to make his Test match debut. Wood will surely continue with the chin music. He does, but the debutant survives a few short balls.
09:53 AM GMT
WICKET! Rohit c Stokes b Wood 131
Shouts of catch as Rohit pulls a short ball but that was never in any danger of landing in a fielder’s hands. It was a top edge but he rolled his wrists a little which kept it down and takes a single.
He keeps at it though! And this time he cloths it to midwicket and has to go! Stokes takes an easy, easy catch and Wood has three and is delighted. It got onto him a bit sooner than he thought and he doesn’t make good contact. Boy did England need that. Great innings, though.
FOW 237/4
09:50 AM GMT
OVER 63: IND 235/3 (Jadeja 83 Rohit 130)
Rohit late cuts Rehan for four to take the partnership over 200. It’s all just a little too easy. Of course, England have yet to bat here but it is a shame after such a brilliant start this morning. That can happen in the subcontinent, though. Rohit then steals a single off the final ball to retain the strike.
09:47 AM GMT
OVER 62: IND 230/3 (Jadeja 83 Rohit 125)
Wood’s latest isn’t terrible but Jadeja latches onto a short one on the final ball to score four… so it’s six runs from the over.
09:42 AM GMT
OVER 61: IND 224/3 (Jadeja 78 Rohit 124)
Rank long hop from Ahmed and Rohit cashes in. He’s off balance on the back foot but gets more than enough on it to send it over the mid-on boundary for six. Two balls later, Rehan drops short again and, you guessed it, Rohit spanks him again, this time for four through wide mid-wicket.
09:40 AM GMT
OVER 60: IND 214/3 (Jadeja 78 Rohit 114)
Call it fortune, call it power but that’s six for Jadeja. He turns on a pull from the returning Mark Wood and gets a top edge. The man at deep square is ten paces in off the boundary and the ball just makes it over the rope. England are creating chances here. They must stick with this.
09:34 AM GMT
OVER 59: IND 206/3 (Jadeja 72 Rohit 113)
Agonising for England. Rohit sweeps Rehan hard but gets it wrong, sending the ball sky high off a top edge. The man at deep square comes haring in off the boundary but can’t make up the ground. A stroke of luck for Rohit.
09:29 AM GMT
OVER 58: IND 204/3 (Jadeja 71 Rohit 112)
Anderson toiling hard. There is a hint of reverse but its slow and early enough for Rohit and Jadeja to see it clearly. A small mix-up between the batters offers half a chance for England but Jadeja is quick and gets out of trouble.
09:25 AM GMT
OVER 57: IND 202/3 (Jadeja 70 Rohit 111)
Another good over from Ahmed. He’s bowling with plenty of aggression and intent but every over that goes by these two batters are just looking more and more comfortable.
09:23 AM GMT
‘No helmet off’
A fine hundred for Rohit Sharma, and how his team needed it. No helmet off for the celebration! The fans – it’s another decent crowd – celebrating far more vigorously than he is.
09:22 AM GMT
OVER 56: IND 200/3 (Jadeja 69 Rohit 110)
A little cutter from Anderson beats Jadeja outside the off stump before drawing an uncharacteristic error from Foakes, allowing India to get through for a single. Rohit then plays a flamboyant flick off his hips, sending the ball racing behind square on the leg side for a boundary.
09:16 AM GMT
OVER 55: IND 195/3 (Jadeja 69 Rohit 106)
Good from Ahmed. The ball spitting and bouncing at Rohit with good fizz. Graeme Swann says on TNT that there is plenty in this pitch for the spinners if they are consistent. That is what Stokes will have to keep telling his spinners as this long day wears on.
09:14 AM GMT
OVER 54: IND 193/3 (Jadeja 68 Rohit 105)
Anderson has the ball trailing into Rohit, looking to get him caught by the man lurking at shirt mid-wicket. England must stick to their plans here, this is going to be tough but they have bowled well for the most part. Very good from Anderson, just three from the over but this pitch is just looking flatter and flatter.
09:09 AM GMT
REVIEW
England want to have a look at an LBW…it is pad first but Rohit looks to be outside the line for me. England never looked convinced there…and with good reason.
09:06 AM GMT
OVER 53: IND 190/3 (Jadeja 68 Rohit 102)
Rohit gets to three figures with a nonchalant push out to cover off Rehan. A superb knock. A captain’s knock from Rohit and you feel he’s far from done yet. 158 balls for that hundred, featuring 11 fours and two sixes.
09:03 AM GMT
We are back after tea
Rohit on the cusp of a century. Let’s have it.
09:03 AM GMT
Chance missed
What at first glance appeared a non-chance has actually turned out to be a missed opportunity for Rehan Ahmed, Ben Stokes and England. The ball appears to nick Rohit’s forearm, not his glove, before his pad. If this had been removed the India captain would be gone.
08:59 AM GMT
Teatime report
India take tea in charge after England’s first wicketless session of the series. As yet, they have failed to break the first hundred partnership they have conceded in the series, too.
Rohit Sharma is on the cusp of his hundred, and Ravindra Jadeja, an inspired promotion to No 5, is batting beautifully after returning to the team. India needed their two senior batsmen to stand up after their early wobble, and they have.
On a flat pitch, England cannot be accused of doing anything egregiously wrong in that session. TV coverage has dug out an lbw opportunity of Rohit that may or may not have been overturned (there is a suggestion of a glove) when he had 87, but otherwise it has been thin gruel for England in a solid bowling display.
The chance they will regret missing is Joe Root’s drop of Rohit, low to his left at slip off Tom Hartley, in the morning session. The Indian captain was still in the twenties at the time.
England have made a virtue on this tour of relishing backs-to-the-wall fielding efforts, when previously they might have moaned about pitches. Can their optimism get them back into the game this afternoon? It will only take a wicket or two.
08:56 AM GMT
Does this celebration have a name?
If it does please do let me know in the comments…
08:51 AM GMT
No wickets but India far from out of sight
It’s an oddity of modern Test cricket that after a session like that it feels like England should be well out of this game. And in truth, had England been batting, and in the style with which we have become accustomed, India may well have been. But Rohit and Jadeja have played very watchful controlled innings to put India on top. England need wickets for sure but the speed – or lack thereof – of the Indian scoring means they are far from out of this game. Two quick wickets and this match is cracked back open again.
England bowled well in that session without much to work with from the pitch.
08:43 AM GMT
OVER 52: IND 185/3 (Jadeja 68 Rohit 97)
It’s tough to say England have bowled badly in this session but this pitch is now getting better and better to bat on. Root drops short to Jadeja and he cashes in fully, launching it over mid-wicket for six. What a way to enter the tea break.
First session without a wicket in this series so far.
08:38 AM GMT
OVER 51: IND 178/3 (Jadeja 62 Rohit 96)
The Indian fans appear disappointed that Rohit did not attempt to hit a six to get to three figures from 94. Slightly harsh one feels. Even still, the strike is rotating more regularly for India now.
08:35 AM GMT
OVER 50: IND 175/3 (Jadeja 61 Rohit 94)
Root is bowling round the wicket to Rohit, making an appeal for LBW somewhat laughable from behind the stumps. Rohit dances down the wicket, Root spots him and tries to one quicker leg-side to draw a stumping. The India captain is wise to it though and helps himself to a single.
08:32 AM GMT
OVER 49: IND 174/3 (Jadeja 61 Rohit 93)
Without a huge amount of turn on offer, Rehan has done well to keep things tight but India are starting to assert here. This session has felt refreshingly old-school Test cricket as Rohit and Jadeja have slowly ground England down on an excellent batting surface. Four singles from the over.
08:29 AM GMT
OVER 48: IND 170/3 (Jadeja 59 Rohit 91)
Excellent from Root. He finds enough turn around the wicket to Jadeja to see the ball glide past the outside edge. Jadeja soon punches back though, leaping onto an overpitched delivery and pumping past mid-on for four.
08:26 AM GMT
OVER 47: IND 165/3 (Jadeja 54 Rohit 91)
Rehan continues. He’s bowled well thus far without looking overly threatening. Rohit tries to sweep but the ball hits the pad drawing a half-hearted appeal from Foakes and Root behind the stumps. The last ball of the over is not a bad one but is whipped beautifully through wide mid-wicket by Rohit for four.
08:20 AM GMT
OVER 46: IND 160/3 (Jadeja 52 Rohit 87)
Hartley off, Root on and Rohit goes big. One stride down the wicket and the ball is sent into the stands over mid-on. Perhaps this is the start of the counter-offensive from India. Root comes round the wicket and Rohit attempts to expose the open space at deep square but gets in a tangle.
08:16 AM GMT
OVER 45: IND 152/3 (Jadeja 52 Rohit 80)
Rehan Ahmed is on at the right time you feel. With the wicket flattening out his wrist spin and googly will offer some good variation. Jadeja is watchful as Rehan works round the wicket. He takes a big stride forward and the ball canons off his pad. He’s way outside the line though.
08:13 AM GMT
Remarkable Rohit
It’s remarkable to think that, five years ago, many thought Rohit Sharma’s Test career was done. Until 2019, when he turned 32, Rohit had only played 27 Tests, with centuries against West Indies (twice) and Sri Lanka but relatively little else. A lesson, perhaps, in trusting how white-ball excellence can translate into Test cricket? Both Rohit’s previous centuries against England, at Chennai and The Oval in 2021, came in India victories; England will hope there’s not a third in store here.
08:12 AM GMT
OVER 44: IND 150/3 (Jadeja 51 Rohit 79)
Jadeja reaches fifty. What a superb knock alongside his captain. He and Rohit have carried India to a position where you’d have to day there is now parity between the two sides. England are turning to their short-ball policy now – short-le, deep square. Stokes is not messing around any more but India look increasingly comfortable here.
08:06 AM GMT
OVER 43: IND 144/3 (Jadeja 49 Rohit 78)
This game of cat and mouse between Hartley and the two Indian batters here is fascinating viewing. Every time you think the shot is coming, Hartley just gets one to grip or bounce and Rohit and Jadeja are forced back into their shells. Just two from the over.
08:01 AM GMT
OVER 42: IND 144/3 (Jadeja 48 Rohit 77)
Wood is really bending his back here and is unlucky not to get any rewards as a lazy Jadeja defensive shot results in an inside edge that falls into the leg side for a single. A field change sees Rehan bought squarer on the boundary; short stuff again perhaps? No, it’s full again from Wood but could do with being just a shade fuller so as to take maximum advantage of any reverse. Rohit then plays and misses at fuller one…mystic Meg I may be.
07:56 AM GMT
OVER 41: IND 143/3 (Jadeja 47 Rohit 77)
Hartley’s rock-solid areas continue to Rohit as the battle of wills continues between these two captains. Who will blink first? Rohit doesn’t need to think too much about that one, as Hartley drops short and offers up a gift which he gladly takes through point.
07:52 AM GMT
OVER 40: IND 139/3 (Jadeja 47 Rohit 73)
Wood is back as England hunts for that vital breakthrough. India have dug themselves out of a huge hole here but another wicket would put England back firmly in the driving seat. Short and wide from Wood and despite an excellent effort from Rehan on the boundary, that’s four every day for Jadeja. He then goes too straight and Jadeja finds a small gap between mid-wicket and mid-on to pick up a couple. This is going to be a tough remainder of the session for England. They must limit the loose stuff as much as possible.
07:47 AM GMT
‘England toiling away’
A sleepy hour there, with the pitch playing as we expected it to in this match. England toiling away manfully, and have bowled well, but India’s two most experienced batsmen are in their way. Just one wicket will make England feel well on top again, though.
07:44 AM GMT
OVER 39: IND 133/3 (Jadeja 41 Rohit 73)
Jadeja charges Hartley but manages to york himself in the process, however that was certainly a statement of intent. One of this pair is going to go after the young Engladn spinner before long. Rohit is still watchful though, happy to stride forward and pick out fielders in the covers with blocks and punch drives. A flick to deep mid-wicket adds to two to the total and brings up a vital 100-run partnership between Rohit and Jadeja.
07:39 AM GMT
OVER 38: IND 130/3 (Jadeja 40 Rohit 71)
Anderson strays a shade too straight and Rohit gets enough of a flick on it to send it past fine leg for four. A rare bad ball from Anderson and ably punished by Rohit.
07:35 AM GMT
OVER 37: IND 126/3 (Jadeja 40 Rohit 67)
Hartley is dialled into his area now, finding the same piece of real estate virtually every time he bowls to Rohit. The India captain prods at one and finds the outside edge but his soft hands mean the ball runs teasingly past slip and he picks up a two.
07:32 AM GMT
OVER 36: IND 123/3 (Jadeja 40 Rohit 64)
Much like Shubman Gill, Jadeja is reaching far beyond his pad in defence to Anderson. If the England maestro can unearth the required reverse, an outside edge becomes a real possibility.
As I type, Jadeja plays and misses to one that just does enough. Encouraging signs for Anderson and England, Nick that and he’s gone.
07:27 AM GMT
OVER 35: IND 123/3 (Jadeja 40 Rohit 64)
The clash between Hartley and Rohit continues. This is turning into as much a battle of wills than anything else. Hartley is daring Rohit to take him on but the India captain has been very watchful post-lunch aside from that big six in the previous Hartley over.
Rohit flicks into the leg side and good running between he and Jadeja adds two to the India total.
07:23 AM GMT
OVER 34: IND 121/3 (Jadeja 40 Rohit 62)
Anderson turns away ruefully as he cuts Jadeja in half with a beautiful delivery. A hint of reverse swing perhaps? Too early to say for sure but you know England will be more than happy to let one half of this ball get roughed up over this session.
07:19 AM GMT
OVER 33: IND 119/3 (Jadeja 39 Rohit 61)
Rohit plays a fine dab sweep to pick up a couple off Hartley. He’s yet to free the arms this session but you feel that moment is only round the corner. And there it is…
Finally Rohit’s patience runs out and he charges Hartley, smashing the ball over the bowler’s head for six. Great shot but Stokes will not mind seeing that in the slightest.
07:15 AM GMT
OVER 32: IND 111/3 (Jadeja 39 Rohit 53)
Anderson is back for his first bowl after lunch. If you thought Wood and Hartley kept it tight, get a load of this guy. He is round the wicket to Jadeja, blocking off the off side with arrows angling in towards the stumps. He gets one to jag back off a length and Jadeja gets a painful knock from the ensuing inside edge.
Maiden for Anderson…how on brand.
07:10 AM GMT
OVER 31: IND 111/3 (Jadeja 39 Rohit 53)
Whether this is restraint from Rohit or good bowling is tough to say. In truth, it’s probably a combination of the two. With every block and dot ball, the prospect of a big shot from either batter grows. Neither of these two are hard-wired to be passive at the crease. Both want to dominate and Stokes knows that.
Great work from Hartley. Just two from the over.
07:06 AM GMT
OVER 30: IND 109/3 (Jadeja 38 Rohit 52)
To England’s credit they have kept things very tight in the initial stages after lunch here. Wood is bowling quickly but accurately, building pressure through dot balls even without a huge amount of assistance from a flat pitch. A muted appeal from England after the last ball of the over canons into Jadeja’s pads.
07:00 AM GMT
OVER 29: IND 107/3 (Jadeja 38 Rohit 52)
Another controlled start to the over from Hartley, who is getting into a groove round the wicket to Rohit. A lovely ball beats the India skipper outside the off stump – you can’t help but feel a release shot is coming here. Rohit will not want to allow Hartley to settle so soon after lunch.
06:57 AM GMT
OVER 28: IND 107/3 (Jadeja 38 Rohit 52)
Jadeja ducks under a bouncer from Wood. He is really having to work hard to get the required bounce out of this surface to make things uncomfortable with the short ball. Fortune then follows for Jadeja as he sees an outside edge fire past the diving man at second slip for four.
06:52 AM GMT
OVER 27: IND 101/3 (Jadeja 32 Rohit 52)
Hartley starts from the other end after lunch. As this pitch flattens out, the work of England’s spinners is going to come sharper and sharper into focus. Hartley tosses one up outside the off stump for Sharma to throw his hands at but it’s well stopped by Rehan at point. Good over.
06:49 AM GMT
OVER 26: IND 100/3 (Jadeja 31 Rohit 52)
Lovely hands from Jadeja, who follows a wide one from Wood and nudges it through cover for a couple. Wood then strays a touch straight and again Jadeja picks up two, this time flicking off his hip out to deep-square leg.
This pitch is looking flatter and flatter as the day wears on, making those three early wickets fro England look even more important.
06:43 AM GMT
The players are out..
..I’m ready and so is Mark Wood. Second session about to start.
06:40 AM GMT
The first hour…
There’s a reason platitudes become known as such. More often than not they are true. The ‘first hour after…’ is one always bandied around in Test cricket and while I would love to offer something more erudite at this point I’m forced to rely on it once again.
Should England remove Rohit in the first hour after lunch then they will have a chance to take this match by the scruff of the neck. As long as he’s still there, India will be confident of posting a decent total.
06:27 AM GMT
Morning session review
Another terrific session of cricket with India recovering from 33-3 to 93-3 through captain Rohit Sharma and the returning Ravindra Jadeja, although after losing the toss, it was an excellent effort from England.
Moisture in the pitch and bounce as well as some superb England bowling made batting difficult when. James Anderson was wicketless but created plenty of chances and Mark Wood knocked over two wickets bowling at high pace in a six over spell.
Rohit rode his luck. He wore a blow to the grille from Wood, overturned an lbw to Anderson when he was saved by a thin inside edge and was missed at slip on 27 off Hartley by Root.
It was a good toss to win with batting likely to become easier as the sun bakes the pitch over the next couple of days but it needed batsmen to survive the first hour for India to really be in a position to capitalise. England’s decision to pick two seamers was the right one, with Wood replacing Bashir and giving Stokes more bite with the new ball to open up India’s inexperienced middle order.
Second Test double centurion, Yashasvi Jaiswal, was undone by extra bounce, nicking to slip. Shubman Gill was tentative and struggling against Wood’s pace, edging behind for a nine ball duck. Rajat Patidar was surprised by the ball gripping in the pitch and bouncing when he lobbed a catch off Hartley to cover.
India pushed Jadeja up from six to five to protect debutant Sarfaraz Khan from facing Wood at full pelt. It was not a move England would have made but paid off, the two experienced India batsmen steadying the innings. Another close Test is building already.
06:07 AM GMT
England take first session
That was a serious session. The first hour was unquestionably England’s as MArk Wood and Tom Hartley led an assault on India’s top order but the hosts have fought back. Rohit rode his luck early on and was dropped by Joe Root but he looks well set now. Along with another experienced hand in Jadeja, India look well-placed to launch a counter offensive.
It’s England’s session for sure but you hope they will not live to regret that Rohit drop come day’s end.
06:04 AM GMT
OVER 25: IND 93/3 (Jadeja 24 Rohit 52)
Rehan Ahmed is into the attack and bowls a beauty to Rohit which draws an umpire’s review for a Foakes’ stumping. The India captain survives.
Good pace early on here from Ahmed, who is really giving the ball a rip in this pre-lunch cameo.
Jadeja sees out the final over and that’s the end of an engrossing first session.
06:00 AM GMT
OVER 24: IND 90/3 (Jadeja 22 Rohit 51)
After my praise of Root his radar has gone slightly awry. A low full toss is easy pickings for Jadeja and that brings up the fifty partnership between these two.
Four more. This time it’s short from Root and cut hard through straightish point. Pressure is just starting to turn back onto England here before the lunch break.
05:56 AM GMT
OVER 23: IND 81/3 (Jadeja 13 Rohit 51)
England are interested in an LBW as the ball clatters into Rohit’s pads. It looks close to me but Stokes opts not to review. Replays confirm an umpire’s call. Another good DRS decision from England.
Moments later, Rohit reaches his half-century with a neat tuck into the leg side.
05:53 AM GMT
OVER 22: IND 78/3 (Jadeja 12 Rohit 49)
Really, really good stuff from Root. Had you never watched cricket before you’d find it hard to believe that he’s very much considered a ‘part-time’ off-spinner.
He spots Rohit charging down towards him and drags his lengths a shade shorter to negate the length. He follows that with the first loose ball of his spell. Far too leg side and Rohit picks up four with a hard sweep.
05:49 AM GMT
OVER 21: IND 72/3 (Jadeja 11 Rohit 44)
Rohit gets a clear outside edge on one that just grips a shade for Hartley. There is enough for the spinners to work with here, even at this early stage of the match.
Jadeja continues to be watchful here. Another wicket before lunch and England really will be in business.
05:45 AM GMT
OVER 20: IND 71/3 (Jadeja 11 Rohit 43)
Joe Root has the ball and is round the wicket to Jadeja, testing the left-hander outside his off-stump. Any turn in this pitch and you can guarantee that Root will find it.
Ollie Pope, always a menace under the lid, is in sharply Jadeja prods forward and gets a heavy inside edge. Very good first over from Root.
05:42 AM GMT
OVER 19: IND 71/3 (Jadeja 11 Rohit 43)
Hartley continues to Rohit. The odd one turns, the odd one keeps a shade low. This is a dangerous pitch to be really going after the spinners and you can tell England and India know it. Hartley then drops short, releasing the pressure as Rohit hammers it through mid-wickets for a couple.
05:39 AM GMT
‘Another excellent morning’
England again making their opposition rethink their approach. Jadea was down to bat six but he’s been pushed up to five to protect the debutant Sarfaraz. It could be because India want the left-hander to face the left-arm spinner but that is T20 thinking, not Test cricket. I suspect it is India’s caution with debutants which contrasts so spectacularly with how Stokes treats new players by giving them confidence and backing them to succeed. It has been another excellent morning. I can’t remember a dull session in this series.
05:38 AM GMT
OVER 18: IND 67/3 (Jadeja 11 Rohit 39)
Anderson round the wicket to Jadeja, who has just nudged his way to double figures while his captain attempts to let fly at the other end. Tight stuff from Anderson – a maiden.
05:34 AM GMT
OVER 17: IND 67/3 (Jadeja 11 Rohit 39)
Hartley looks more threatening when bowling at Rohit here. The India captain is palpably keen to get on top of the young England spinner but that hint of turn away is just mitigating his ability to do that effectively.
The fourth ball, the pressure valve bursts as Rohit gets to the pitch at laces on over Hartley’s head for four.
05:30 AM GMT
OVER 16: IND 62/3 (Jadeja 10 Rohit 35)
Rohit takes on Anderson and gets a huge slice of fortune as the ball loops slowly over the head of the man at mid-off. The next shot is far more convincing, a powerful punch through cover for four.
05:26 AM GMT
OVER 15: IND 56/3 (Jadeja 10 Rohit 29)
Stokes is daring Jadeja to have a go at Hartley. There’s a tasty gap open on the sweep should the left-hander fancy having a go and there’s a man ar short leg as Hartley fires it in towards Jadeja’s off stump.
Jadeja goes hard down the ground and a mis-field from Hartley allows the ball to slide past for a boundary.
05:22 AM GMT
‘No-fuss approach’
Word filtering out of the England camp that there was a presentation this morning for Ben Stokes’s 100th cap. In keeping with his no-fuss approach to the milestone, it happened behind closed doors, with his old captain Paul Collingwood saying some words.
05:20 AM GMT
OVER 14: IND 50/3 (Jadeja 4 Rohit 29)
England are all over India here. Indeed the hosts looks a shade punch drunk. Every ball of that Anderson over looked threatening and you can tell Rohit looks unsure of how he should be playing this now…a rare sight indeed for a player of his experience.
05:15 AM GMT
REVIEW
Rohit is trapped LBW by Anderson. Reviewed straight away…
Looks like an inside edge to me but it’s so close to the front pad. Think this one will be overturned. And is.
05:13 AM GMT
OVER 13: IND 49/3 (Jadeja 3 Rohit 29)
Hartley bowls the first poor ball of this spell after drinks, dropping short to Rohit, who does not miss out through point. The next ball disappears over mid-wicket for four as Rohit looks to start a counter-offensive. High-risk, high-reward…not sure Stokes will mindi seeing shots like that.
Indeed, two balls later Rohit tries again and gets it all wrong. He looks to have got a feather-edge on it and Joe Root really should be holding that. Hueg chance missed for England there.
Why does Joel Root stand so wide at slip for the spinners and Tom Hartley in particular ? That’s the second one he has dropped in this series through wrong positioning. Left foot has to be on the line of the return crease.
05:05 AM GMT
OVER 12: IND 39/3 (Jadeja 3 Rohit 19)
With Stokes smelling blood in the water, Wood continues. The short stuff is certainly the strategy to Rohit, who looks more comfortable taking it one rather than ducking and weaving. Jadeja is off the mark with a little tickle around the corner.
05:01 AM GMT
‘A hint of panic from India’
Interesting that with India under the pump, the experienced Jadeja has come in ahead of Sarfaraz Khan. There’s a suggestion that the debutant doesn’t like it up him, and with Wood breathing fire, perhaps he’s been held back. It could also be to get a left-hander in against Hartley but, as with their selection, there’s a hint of panic from India.
04:58 AM GMT
OVER 11: IND 34/3 (Jadeja 0 Rohit 18)
Beautiful from Hartley. He’s starting to find some grip here and is causing Rohit issues. The India captain lunges forward and feels for one that grips and turns past his outside edge before mis-timing one that lands dangerously close to the man at catching mid-off.
England on top here…big time.
04:54 AM GMT
OVER 10: IND 34/3 (Jadeja 0 Rohit 18)
Wood is really firing now. He aims a bumper right at Rohit and it stirkes the India captain square in the grill. Fierce, intimdating stuff from England’s enforcer here.
04:50 AM GMT
‘Remarkable passage this’
Ben Duckett will never, ever take an easier Test catch than that. Remarkable passage, this, as Tom Hartley strikes in his first over. England will scarcely be able to believe it.
04:49 AM GMT
OVER 9: IND 33/3 (Jadeja 0 Rohit 17)
Jadeja walks out to the middle a lot earlier than we are used to seeing him. Two hugely experienced players at the crease for India now and my word how they need them to stand up.
04:47 AM GMT
WICKET
Patidar c Duckett b Hartley 5
Gone! Hartley gets one in his first over and it’s an ugly shot from Padiar. The ball just appears to stick in the surface and he’s so early on it. The ball simply spoons up in the air for Duckett to take an easy catch. FOW: 33/3
04:43 AM GMT
OVER 8: IND 25/2 (Patidar 5 Rohit 16)
Very good from Patidar, who rocks back and punches Wood through cover for four. That is exactly the sort of shot that will settle any early nerves. The field remains very attacking from Stokes, with three slips, a gully and a leg gully.
04:41 AM GMT
‘All on Rohit’
All on the captain Rohit Sharma now: how is he going to react? Hitherto he doesn’t seem to have coped with the leadership particularly well. He averages only 37 in Tests when captain, 46 when not. He looked perturbed when the first two wickets fell.
04:37 AM GMT
OVER 7: IND 25/2 (Patidar 0 Rohit 14)
Steady over from Anderson as England keep on the pressure. Patidar still to get off the mark.
04:33 AM GMT
OVER 6: IND 24/2 (Patidar 0 Rohit 13)
The inexperienced Rajat Patidar is the new man for India. England are into the middle order quickly and India are firmly on the back foot here.
04:29 AM GMT
WICKET
Gill c Foakes b Wood 0
Brilliant again from Wood! We said Gill did not look comfortable and so it’s proved. Gill pushes hard in front of thay front pad and just a shade of movement is enough for his downfall. Super from Wood. Superb from England. FOW: 24/2
04:26 AM GMT
OVER 5: IND 23/1 (Gill 0 Rohit 12)
Anderson gets the ball to crash into Gill’s pads and England go up in unison. The umpire says no and Stokes is interested for a second but then errs against. It looks like it hit Gill outside the line of off stump. Good decision you feel.
Gill looking a little uncertain early on here. Keen to feel bat on ball, he’s prodding and pushing ahead of his front pad. Very nickable strategy against Anderson.
04:23 AM GMT
‘Catching practice for Root’
There had been absolutely nothing to encourage England’s bowlers in the first three overs, but Mark Wood has drawn the edge from Jaiswal! Catching practice for Root, and Wood has his first wicket of the tour. One more wicket and England are into a meek-looking middle order.
04:22 AM GMT
OVER 4: IND 22/1 (Gill 0 Rohit 11)
Good lord England will be happy to see the back of Jaiswal. Shubman Gill is the new man at the crease.
04:19 AM GMT
WICKET
Jaiswal c Root b Wood 10
Big, big wicket! Wood gets one to to slide across the Jaiswal with good pace, meaning the edge carries easily to Joe Root at second slip. A massive early breakthrough for England. FOW: 22/1
04:15 AM GMT
OVER 3: IND 17/0 (Jaiswal 10 Rohit 6)
Jaiswal is such a positive player. He is really looking to get on top of England early on here and finds his second boundary with a slightly mis-timed pushed down the ground. Anderson follows with an excellent comback, as one just nips back in towards the leaving left-hander’s pads.
04:11 AM GMT
OVER 2: IND 13/0 (Jaiswal 6 Rohit 6)
Mark Wood takes the new ball from the other end. Pace is going to be the name of the game here but the third ball of the over is too full and Rohit does not miss out, easing a perfect on drive through the England infield for four.
Decent carry from Wood through the Foakes but that allows Rohit to get on top of the bounce and punch one through cover for a couple.
04:07 AM GMT
Huge toss to win
Huge toss for India to win. If they can see out the first hour relatively unscathed then they should be able to build a big first innings score of over 420. If India let this opportunity slip then England will win the series.
04:05 AM GMT
OVER 1: IND 6/0 (Jaiswal 5 Rohit 0)
The first ball is overpitched and pumped down the ground by Jaiswal for four. What a shot to start a Test match. This man is in supreme form at present and England will want to see the back of him sooner rather than later.
There is just a hint of movement for Anderson, as Rohit watches his first ball go through to Foakes behind the stumps. One then rattles off Rohit’s pads. He’s not looking all that comfortable in these early stanzas.
It’s obvious from that first ball, which Jimmy pitched right up and saw whistle back past him, that he is going hunting for swing early doors. Three slips and a gully waiting for any edges.
04:00 AM GMT
The teams have emerged
We are just seconds away from the start here. James Anderson has the ball in his hand.
03:57 AM GMT
Moisture in the air
Graeme Swann says via the TNT broadcast that there is a little bit of moisture in the air in Rajkot this morning – that should help England. The former England off-spinner says it looks like the sort of pitch that India might well fear batting first on due to the experience and guile of the two seamers England have selected.
After two matches which have featured just one seamer apiece for England, thsi feels like a comforting return to something like the norm.
03:48 AM GMT
‘A real chance for England’
03:47 AM GMT
The two teams in full
England XI: Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Bairstow, Stokes (c), Foakes (wk), Ahmed, Hartley, Wood, Anderson.
India XI: Rohit (c), Jaiswal, Gill, Patidar, Sarfaraz, Jadeja, Jurel (wk), Ashwin, Kuldeep, Bumrah, Siraj.
03:42 AM GMT
‘We need to keep our focus’
India captain Rohit Sharma: “It looks a good pitch, obviously better than the last two we played. We know Rajkot is supposed to be a good pitch. It is a good toss for us to win to bat first and put runs on the board.
“The next three Test matches are going to be as excited as the first two. We need to keep our focus on what we need to do here.”
03:39 AM GMT
Quick team news update
Greetings from Rajkot.
Well, that looks a great toss for India to win on what is expected to be a flat pitch. What I will say is that it’s chilly in the morning here, and Jimmy Anderson might get the ball to talk early on. Their attack has a nice balance to it, with Mark Wood brought in as an attacking weapon.
India have made four(!) changes, none of them forced. Jadeja is back from injury for Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj returns from a rest, and there are two debutants, Sarfaraz Khan (who has a ridiculous first-class record) in the middle order, and keeper Dhruv Jurel. Punchy.
03:36 AM GMT
Here comes the toss
Tails is the call from Ben Stokes..it’s a head!
Rohit Sharma wastes no time in electing to bat first on what appears a decent pitch in Rajkot.
Stokes confirms to Ravi Shastri that he would indeed have batted first had fortune been on his side. “If you win the toss in India, you bat first,” Stokes says.
03:33 AM GMT
An update from the ground
Easy run in the this morning for Team Telegraph on the empty dual carriageways of Rajkot, a city that has grown exponentially since I was last here eight years ago. The ground was renamed last night to the Niranjan Shah Stadium, in honour of a former BCCI secretary. It is a newish ground, around 10 years old, and will look a little familiar to English eyes.
The media centre is the same spaceship design as Lord’s although with a tandoor oven out the back. It is a good facility, solar powered and with three ovals in total but it is in the middle of nowhere. The crowds will be very low for this game unfortunately, perhaps a little better at the weekend..
03:32 AM GMT
Toss is just around the corner
Admittedly the BBC weather app is perhaps not the oracle when it comes assessing the weather in Rajkot but I think it’s fair to say that it’s going to be very, very hot in Gujarat over the next five days. Peak temperatures could hit 32 today, peaking at as high as 36 this weekend.
With that in mind, this is going to be a vital toss you feel.
03:27 AM GMT
Could he?
No…Ben Stokes will now be bowling in Rajkot. Sorry to get the heart beating at silly AM.
03:21 AM GMT
Selection questions for hosts
India’s selectors perhaps have more headaches to deal with than England heading into this third Test. The confirmation that Virat Kohli will not play part in this series was already a huge blow but that was made worse when news broke that KL Rahul will also miss this Test match, at least, with a quad injury.
India’s middle order has looked fragile to say the least thus far and with Shreyas Iyer dropped and Cheteshwar Pujara still out of favour, India have turned to the uncapped Devdutt Padikkal to help fill the void.
In better news, India will welcome back the talismanic Ravindra Jadeja for this Test match after injured formed him out of the second test in Vizag.
03:08 AM GMT
Match preview
If you had asked most England fans ahead of this series whether they would have taken 1-1 heading into the third Test, I’d wager heavily that most would have bitten your hand off.
In truth, this series has been far more even than anyone could have predicted and if nothing else India are now aware they are facing a side who are more than capable of not just capitalising on mistakes but forcing the hosts into their own.
A week break back in Abu Dhabi should have lowered some handicaps on the golf course and refreshed this England side as they enter what is now effectively a three-match series.
A small, yet unnecessary, distraction in the form of Rehan Ahmed’s visa issue has now been resolved and he takes his place in a starting XI that for the first time in the series features two seamers.
Mark Wood and James Anderson were both effective working solo alongside a fleet of spinners in the opening two matches but Ben Stokes and Brendan McCullum clearly feel the conditions in Rajkot now allow them a bit more umph.
The team undeniably has a more balanced look to it now and with Anderson’s incredible ability to hold up and end in the manner of a spinner, Stokes will lose little from an economy-saving perspective.
One truth remains unquestioned though – you must score runs, big runs, to win in India and while some in England’s top order have stood up over the first two matches more is certainly needed from others.
Joe Root’s bizarre dismissal in the second innings in Vizag was one of a great player trying to hit his way back into form, while Jonny Bairstow has continually thrown away promising starts.
It’s hardly controversial to say that England will need something from one, or preferably both, before these three matches are up if they are going to win this series.
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