India vs England, 4th Test - Live Cricket Score, Commentary
Lunch Day 1
Joe Root called correctly for the third time in the series but England failed to make good use of the track as they went to lunch at 74 for 3. Axar Patel bagged two wickets while Mohammed Siraj dismissed Joe Root to give India a slight edge after the first session.
On the eve of the final Test, Root urged his batsmen to be brave and play with freedom. There was some early drama when India reviewed a lbw call against Zak Crawley on the second ball of the game. Ishant Sharma had pinged the opener in front but the ball was bouncing over the stumps.
The pair batted watchfully for the first five overs and scored 10 before Axar's introduction. Both Ishant and Siraj had extracted good movement and bounce from the surface, and forced several false shots, but failed to get the first breakthrough. Axar, though, struck on his second ball as Sibley played for the turn and inside-edged a straight ball back onto the stumps.
Crawley took his captain's advice and tried to nullify Axar's threat by using his feet. However, while he did have a plan, the execution wasn't quite there. On the third ball of the seventh over, Crawley came down the track to awkwardly defend the ball to cover. On the fourth ball, he again used his feet to tuck the ball to the on side. The next, where Axar pulled his length back a touch, Crawley danced down to clear the mid-off fielder. He failed to connect and was caught by Siraj at mid-off to walk off for nine.
Root chased a few wide deliveries and missed, and was surprised by the bounce on offer, before he was trapped lbw in the 13th over. Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes stayed unbeaten and extended their association to 44 but the pair too had some nervy moments. There were plenty of words from Siraj to Stokes as the left-hander tried to settle in. With moisture in the track, Virat Kohli trusted his pacers to do the job and delayed R Ashwin's arrival till the 20th over. Stokes lofted the second ball he faced from Ashwin for a six and Bairstow continued to feed on wide deliveries to ease some nerves after a shaky start.
Time for Stokes vs Ashwin
The moisture in the track forced Kohli to hold Ashwin back. He's into the attack and the second ball Stokes faces from the spinner is hit for a six. Ashwin follows it up with two maidens against the left-hander. This will be interesting.
England 68 for 3
Root gone
England have now lost three wickets and this is a big one. Length ball and nipped in. Root was struck at his crease and was pinged in front by Siraj. He doesn't take a review. India well on top. England are not able to take advantage of winning the toss.
England 30 by 3
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Two down
Crawley has thrown away his wicket now. Used his feet in the last two balls. Defended the first and tucked the next to the on side. He was trying to unsettle Axar but didn't have a clear plan. Comes down the track to hit a length ball over mid-off. Doesn't connect well and easy catch for Siraj at mid-off. Joe Root out to partner Bairstow now.
England 15 for 2
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