India vs England, 1st Test - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

The incidental Test cricketer

As we wait for play to begin, take a look here at what our man Prakash had to say on one of India's first innings heroes, Washington Sundar who impressed once again with the bat in just his second Test match.

Build up

Hello and welcome to the live blog for this crucial final day's play of the opening Test match. Chennai 2008, Gabba 2021, Chattogram 2021, will we see Chennai 2021 added to this list by the end of the day today? After what this Indian team pulled off in Gabba less than a month ago, fans would expect nothing less than a win. But practically, it is extremely difficult at this stage. For everyone wondering why England delayed their declaration yesterday, it is because of the fact that they know what India are capable of. Hence, they wanted to take an Indian win completely out of the equation to give themselves the best chance of winning.

To be fair to them, they probably have done that at the moment. India need 381 runs in 90 overs which is more than 4 runs an over. And this pitch is now a proper final day subcontinental wicket with a lot of turn and bounce for the spinners to make merry. I would say England are favourites to win this Test match with nine wickets to fetch. India will have to take it one hour at a time to save this game which will give them a massive boost before the second game.

Day 4 saw Ishant Sharma become just the third Indian pacer to get to 300 Test wickets before R Ashwin showed his class once again picking up his 28th five-fer. But having now bowled more than 230 overs in the game, those bowlers will dearly be hoping they don't have to bowl first again in the next Test. But for now, the first focus is to get to that game unscathed. India did suffer a blow before stumps yesterday by losing a key man in Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara looked quite comfortable out in the middle in the short stay. Just more of the same please is what the fans would be hoping for as the countdown begins.