Key events
18th over: England 82-1 (Crawley 34, Rehan 19) Rehan charges Axar and heaves the ball to cow corner for four. It was an ugly stroke but highly effective, and he follows it with a terrific cover drive for four more. India already have a long-on in place for Rehan, which is surely too defensive at this stage.
“Morning Rob!” chirps Martin Wright. “All bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, are we?! Me neither. It’s going to be over today, isn’’t it, one way or t’other?”
Oh aye, probably by tea.
17th over: England 73-1 (Crawley 34, Rehan 10) Crawley is beaten twice by Bumrah. The first was a slightly loose stroke, the second a snorter that kicked from a length. It’s been an immaculate start from Bumrah, who is getting closer and closer to off stump – and to Crawley’s outside edge. After 11 dot balls, Crawley lands his first blow with a thumping drive to the left of mid-off for four. Lovely stroke.
“Greetings from the airport (the only reason I’m up at this unholy hour),” says Eva Maaten. “I am completely amazed how England have managed to make this series, which was flying slight below my radar, so exciting! I’m probably not alone in having had very low expectations, but so far it has been riveting and I’m looking forward to another exciting run chase and close finish.”
16th over: England 69-1 (Crawley 30, Rehan 10) With two right-handers at the crease, Axar Patel starts at the other end. Rehan Ahmed swipes his first ball just short of mid-on, a statement of anarchic intent, and then drags a big heave onto the pad.
15th over: England 67-1 (Crawley 29, Rehan 9) Bumrah with starts a maiden to Crawley, who leaves each of the last five deliveries. One shaped back a little; the rest passed harmlessly outside off stump. Bumrah will work his way in towards off stump as his spell progresses.
The players are out on the field, and Jasprit Bumrah is ready to bowl.
399 to win? Less ‘ave a go.
Mood music (3.55am)
It is a day for strong minds today. Fabulous day in prospect. India need to utilise the early movement that has been so pronounced. India should win this but their body language will be a mirror to their belief.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 5, 2024
Mood music (3.41am)
At the close of play last night, Shubman Gill said the game was about 70/30 in India’s favour, a throwaway comment which laid bare India’s mental state. I doubt even the most hopeful (and sane) England fan would put their chances to day at 30 per cent. India know they should win this game, almost certainly will, but they have been slightly spooked by England’s escapologists. The life of the mind, eh.
You can understand Gill’s wariness: he is one of three players in this XI who watched England chase 378 at Edgbaston in 2022. (The others are Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah, and yes I was also surprised it was only three. Even England only have six survivors from that game. Life moves pretty fast…)
The highlight of yesterday’s play, with a loving nod to Ben Stokes’ genius in the field, was a charming century from Shubman Gill. Tanya Aldred writes as Gill bats, with an inimitable grace and class, so this is well worth reading.
Preamble
All things being equal, England will lose a Test match today. Yet they go into the fourth and final day at Vizag full of optimism that they can make history by chasing a mighty target of 399. Even England supporters, many of whom have been terrified of hope their entire adult lives, are full of the joys.
England will resume on 67 for one, needing a further 332 runs to take an absurd 2-0 lead in the series. The last time India were 2-0 down at home was against Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and chums in 2004-05. It surely won’t come to that. All logic says they will win comfortably, probably by around 162 runs, especially as Joe Root has a badly injured finger. But Bazball has an injunction against logic.