6 March 2021, 16:49 PM
Captains speak!
Virat Kohli: "The comeback in Chennai pleased me the most. The first game was an aberration and England outplayed us. The toss played a crucial role and the bowlers weren't in the contest. We bowled and fielded with more intensity and so the comeback was very heartening. Our bench strength is extremely strong and that's a good sign for Indian cricket. When the transition happens, the standards won't fall and Rishabh and Washy's partnership showed exactly that in a crucial juncture of the match. We had to pick up our body language after the first game in Chennai. Every team in international cricket is a quality side and we need to work hard to beat them, even at home. Keeping that intensity going is most important and is the hallmark of our team. Rohit's knock was the defining moment in Chennai, and Ashwin has been our most bankable player over the years so they have been our best players this series. Now we can accept that the WTC final, which was a distraction in New Zealand in 2020, but now it's a reality."
Joe Root: "The first game was a positive. We haven't matched India in the last three, and we need to keep learning and keep getting better for this experience and this series, and we need to keep evolving and move forward. There are some key areas where India grabbed the game and we didn't. Washington and Rishabh played extremely well at a time when we had a good hold on the game. We also didn't score runs the way we would have liked, and India outplayed us. Best of luck to them in the final. These were the first two Tests here, and I'm sure there are going to be some great Tests here later, and there was no history here, but hopefully we can get better in future in these conditions. It's really important that we have to look after our players in terms of resting them, and we can't keep playing them until they fall over. We need to look after them and rotate them as necessary. It's been a good series, enjoyed the hospitality and loved being here for the series."
6 March 2021, 16:15 PM
The Champions speak!
Axar Patel: "I think the confidence helped me. I got wickets in the first game and kept on carrying the confidence. When me and Washi were batting, we thought the pace variation wasn't there. I only bowled faster ones more often in the previous games but here we needed to vary our pace. When I got back after being run-out, I didn't have enough time to talk to Washi as we were bowled out."
Washington Sundar: "To win my first series at home is amazing, feels great. Not at all disappointed to miss the hundred. The 100 will come when it's the right time for me. I am happy to contribute to the team. To be honest, the pitch was very good to bat on. Credit to Anderson, Stokes for getting assistance on this surface, they bowled really well. The wicket is still good to bat on. If you apply yourself you can score."
6 March 2021, 15:48 PM
R Ashwin knocks the stumps to end a fine innings by Dan Lawrence and with the dismissal the off-spinner also completes his fifer. Meanwhile, England are bundled out for 135 as hosts win the contest by an innings and 25 runs. They also clinch the four-match series 3-1 and will now take on New Zealand in the World Test Championsip finals.
6 March 2021, 15:44 PM
India, India!
The crowd at the venue is getting louder with every passing delivery and R Ashwin picks his fourth wicket of the day. An edge going straight to Ajinkya Rahane, and the fielder makes no mistake. Jack Leach departs for 2 as India are now just one wicket away from a famous win. ENG: 134/9, trail by 26 runs
6 March 2021, 15:41 PM
Dan Lawrence pushes the ball for a single to complete his FIFTY. This is his second half-century in Tests. ENG: 133/8, trail by 27 runs
6 March 2021, 15:11 PM
Another one bites the dust as Axar continues to wreak havoc on England batsmen. Dom Bess departs for 2 and with this Axar completes yet another fifer. ENG: 111/8, trail by 49 runs
6 March 2021, 15:06 PM
Axar Patel provides India with another breakthrough in the form of Ben Foakes. The batsman tried to push the ball down but gets an outside edge in the process as the ball goes towards Ajinkya Rahane in the slips. The Indian vice captain takes a sharp catch as the on-field umpires wait for an confirmation from upstairs, who then confirms that Rahane had grabbed the ball cleanly. England lose their seventh wicket.
ENG: 109/7, trail by 51 runs
6 March 2021, 14:50 PM
Foakes and Lawrence try to recover England's innings after some early damage. The pair has added 40 runs so far to guide England past the 100-run mark in their second innings. ENG: 105/6, trail by 55 runs
6 March 2021, 14:21 PM
TEA!
Ben Foakes and Dan Lawrence add 26 runs for the seventh wicket as England finish the second session of the day at 91/6 and are still trailing by 69 runs. Foakes is playing on 6, while Lawrence is batting on 19.
6 March 2021, 13:53 PM
England are six down with Ben Foakes and Dan Lawrence in the middle as Ashwin and Axar once again combine to wreak havoc on the visitors. ENG: 74/6, trail by 86 runs
6 March 2021, 12:54 PM
Axar gets the big fish!
Ben Stokes' poor shot-selection brings an end to his stay in the middle. Another flighted delivery by Axar, enough to tempt stokes to go for a sweep, however, his shot goes straight to Virat Kohli standing at leg gully, who makes no mistake in the end. England lose their fourth wicket as Stokes departs for 2.
ENG: 30/4, trail by 130 runs
nd wicket of the innings
th wicket in the match @akshar2026 strikes as Ben Stokes departs.England down. @Paytm #INDvENG #TeamIndia
Follow the match https://t.co/9KnAXjaKfb pic.twitter.com/e3G3jVB66n
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 6, 2021
6 March 2021, 12:45 PM
Oops, that will surely hurt!
Axar Patel has his first wicket of the day, but it involved more of luck rather than his skill. An uppish delivery by the spinner, going down the legside and Dominic Sibley hits it cleanly. However, his shot hits the legs of Shubman Gill standing at short-leg, before lobbing in the air for a simple catch for Rishabh Pant. England lose their third wicket.
ENG: 20/3, trail by 140 runs
6 March 2021, 12:23 PM
Two in Two!
R Ashwin does the magic once again as India's spin wizrad struck twice in consecutive deliveries. Zak Crawley was the first man to go as he was sent bacl to the pavilion on 5. Meanwhile, Jonny Bairstow's dreadful run in the ongoing series continues as the batsman is removed for a golden duck.
ENG: 11/2, trail by 149 runs
6 March 2021, 12:05 PM
At Lunch, England are batting at 6/0 and are still trailing by 154 runs.
It's Lunch on Day of the fourth @Paytm #INDvENG Test!
England move to 6/0, trail #TeamIndia by 154 runs.
The exciting second session awaits.
Scorecard https://t.co/9KnAXjaKfb pic.twitter.com/4InLEoG2Ty
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 6, 2021
6 March 2021, 11:25 AM
England opening pair of Dominic Sibley and Zak Crawley have arrived in the middle to kick-off their second innings. Mohammed Siraj will lead the attack for India. ENG: 2/0, trail by 158 runs
6 March 2021, 11:05 AM
All-out!
Just when things were going in the right direction for the hosts, India lose wickets in quick succession. The first man to depart was Axar Patel, who was run-out on 43. Ishant Sharma was then sent back in the following delivery on duck. Mohammed Siraj also failed to resist the pace of Ben Stokes as he was trapped LBW by the latter on 0 as India pile 365 in their first innings and have a solid lead of 160 runs.
6 March 2021, 10:47 AM
India edge past 350
Washington Sundar and Axar Patel guide India past the 350-run mark. Both the batsmen are showing great character as the pair have added 92 runs for the eighth wicket. Meanwhile, Sundar is also inching towards his maiden Test ton. IND: 352/7, lead by 147 runs
6 March 2021, 10:14 AM
Washington Sundar and Axar Patel keep the scoreboard ticking as the pair add a crucial 73-run stand for the eighth wicket. Sundar is batting on 75, while Axar is on 33. IND: 332/7, lead by 127 runs
6 March 2021, 09:48 AM
Washington Sundar is not wasting anytime as he slams Dom Bess for a SIX and follows it up with a cracking FOUR to help India breach the 300-run mark. IND: 310/7, lead by 105 runs
up for #TeamIndia
Lead over & counting
-run stand between @Sundarwashi5 & @akshar2026 @Paytm #INDvENG #TeamIndiaFollow the match https://t.co/9KnAXjaKfb pic.twitter.com/tjs8HBJgU9
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 6, 2021
6 March 2021, 09:35 AM
Here we go!
Washington Sundar kicks-off the proceedings against James Anderson on Day 3 as India look to consolidate their lead. The first over is done and it's a maiden from the veteran English bowler. Meanwhile, Dom Bess will lead the charge from the other end and Axar Patel welcomes the spinner with a cracking boundary. A total of 5 runs come from that over as India reach 299/7 and have a lead of 94 runs.
