Vizag: After wrapping up India for just above 204 and getting almost a day-and-a-half to bat to survive the match, Alastair Cook and H Hammed showed up brilliant resistance and fight back. In fact, Hammed played 144 balls for his 25 runs while Alastair Cook faced another 188 balls for his 54 runs before these two got out eventually within the last 10 overs of the day and India came two steps closer to going 1-0 up in the series.

England scoreboard makes sense only when began to see with the run rate. England are 89/2 after 59.2 with a run rate of a little above 1, which shows that England are clearly playing for the draw and for the most part of the post-tea session were successful.

However, Hameed got an almost unplayable delivery from Ravichandran Ashwin and Alastair Cook was dismissed in the final over bowled by Ravindra Jadeja before stumps to make England’s hope of drawing a test a little fainter and their job on Day 5 a little more difficult. Getting Cook in the last ball of the day would also mean that India will welcome a new batsman at the crease when they take the field on Day 5.

Obviously, the morning session on Day 5 will a massive phase in the game because the pitch would be rolled and it would be the best time for the batsmen before the pitch deteriorates and Indian spinners make life hell for them. The England batsmen would not like to lose a wicket particularly in this phase, if they get set, and keep their basics right, this would be one amazing Test match.

The next new ball is 20 overs far. When will Virat Kohli decide to take it might also play a huge factor in the game and the eventual result. All said, India are still the favorites in the game and England would need an extraordinary performance from here to save the match and it’s going to be a tough night for Ben Duck and an impatient night for all the cricket lovers across the globe.