India v England Test Series 2021

[Les Beeavinu]

Interesting situation - at what point do England declare here? Thinking we want 100 overs minimum so probably another 30 overs or so and get close to 420 lead

Might not get to the point where we choose. Equally, we might have enough anyway.

 

[Indian Bee]

Might not get to the point where we choose. Equally, we might have enough anyway.

I think England will want most probably 110-115 minimum overs at India. A lead of 390 plus will be extremely difficult but think England would want at least 420. I personally think anything over 360 then India have little chance. Then again I didn’t think SA had a chance in the current test match going on in Pakistan.

 

[Mark H]

i can’t see India getting close to 400 on this wicket the way it’s playing. So 6-7 more overs from England before declaring.

 

[Gazza Bee]

360 lead at tea - another 10 overs then declare IMHO

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

I know this one is far from over. I also know that there have been some brilliant individual performances, as well as some poor ones, which will influence the outcome. But generally speaking, do you think that the toss wins the match in India? Would India have prevailed if they had won the toss? They may still, of course.

 

[beesbees_bfc]

I know this one is far from over. I also know that there have been some brilliant individual performances, as well as some poor ones, which will influence the outcome. But generally speaking, do you think that the toss wins the match in India? Would India have prevailed if they had won the toss? They may still, of course.

Batting first definitely a massive advantage but:
1) I don’t think the batting conditions on day three were too bad for India’s first innings and their top order under scored
2) India dropped a few half chances (and used reviews poorly that they needed later) whereas England took all (bar Archers drop) of theirs

 

[Indian Bee]

A bit confused by England’s tactics here. Think they are ensuring they bat India completely out of the game but using a lot of time.

 

[Mark H]

The pace of scoring is very disappointing from England.

 

[Mark H]

Why on earth isn’t Bess getting Buttler on strike? he is obviously struggling.

 

[Nada Bee]

DECLARE ENGLAND FFS.

 

[ianbees1]

Wasted an hour. I don’t get the tactics.

 

[Nada Bee]

Wasted an hour. I don’t get the tactics.

neither do i - either hit out or decalre.

if India chase down 400 then fair play to them.

we dont have many other better opportunies to win!

 

[beesbees_bfc]

Surely we won’t keep batting after drinks?!

 

[Indian Bee]

This in a way reminds me of the first test in the last series. Alistair Cook wasted some time before declaring. India were holding on at the end. Ended a draw and then India won the next 4 tests matches.

Only thing I can think of is that the bowlers are tired and with little time until the next test match. I’m clutching at straws here but i am happy with England’s approach.

 

[Darren J]

Ian Botham would be doing his nut right about now

 

[Mark H]

The commentator says very good stumping from Pant. Stumpings don’t come any easier

 

[Mark H]

Ian Botham would be doing his nut right about now

Borham talks sh*te most of the time.

 

[Mark H]

This in a way reminds me of the first test in the last series. Alistair Cook wasted some time before declaring. India were holding on at the end. Ended a draw and then India won the next 4 tests matches.

Only thing I can think of is that the bowlers are tired and with little time until the next test match. I’m clutching at straws here but i am happy with England’s approach.

Very strange tactics from Root. Sometimes I feel his approach is too laid back. You might be right about the bowlers. Cook thought he might want his bowlers to have two stabs with the hard ball. They also might be scared of Pant.

 

[Darren J]

Borham talks sh*te most of the time.

Yes, don't miss him

 

[ianbees1]

I’m getting irrationally annoyed now. Maybe from being up since 4.

 

[Gazza Bee]

Just bloody declare...

 

[Mark H]

How can he give that out?That was bat first in my eyes. Not that it matters except take more time out of the game.

 

[Indian Bee]

Maybe it’s in India’s interest not to bowl England out as a declaration doesn’t seem to be forthcoming. Can’t believe Leach and Archer are batting and not bowling. Root must have huge confidence in getting 10 wickets in 105 overs. The pitch is slow and I don’t think India will make some of the mistakes as in the first innings as they won’t be chasing for a win.

 

[Gazza Bee]

Truly bizarre - India will not chase this down so maximise the overs available to bowl them out...

 

[Les Beeavinu]

All very odd.

 

[Bangor Bee]

Irrationally cautious -- no other way of describing it.

 

[Mark H]

The highest ever successful run chase is 418. The lead is 419 and there are only two results possible England win or draw.yet the Jimmy is padded up . Very negative

 

[Nada Bee]

Irrationally cautious -- no other way of describing it.

Root is normally a bit more attacking than this, its disappointing to see him not back the bowlers here.

 

[Mark H]

Thank f!!! For that. Only time I am happy to see an England wicket

 

[Gazza Bee]

So we waste another over being bowled out - hope we don't have them 8 or 9 down tomorrow at close..

 

[HaylingBee74]

The over rate seems very slow, are India in danger of a points deduction from the Test Championship?

 

[Nada Bee]

All out.

India need 420 to win.

 

[The Pipe]

All very strange however only needs to be criticised if we can’t quite get India all out

 

[SH]

All very logical, if frustrating. The ball only stays hard for, what, a couple of dozen overs. So half of those tonight, full-on, and the same first thing tomorrow morning when the bowlers are fresh, no?

If we haven't made serious inroads after that, another five or six overs is irrelevant.

 

[Mark H]

All very logical, if frustrating. The ball only stays hard for, what, a couple of dozen overs. So half of those tonight, full-on, and the same first thing tomorrow morning when the bowlers are fresh, no?

If we haven't made serious inroads after that, another five or six overs is irrelevant.

That’s Cook thought. I think we will still bowl them out as the pitch is misbehaving.

 

[SH]

That’s Cook thought. I think we will still bowl them out as the pitch is misbehaving.

I've been following the "non-declaration" meltdown on the BBC Sport app. Very funny. The tacticians (we hope) have an innovative plan and they're sticking to it. Rather new Brentford if you ask me. I hope

 

[Gazza Bee]

Sharma gone - 25-1

 

[Mark H]

Leach in the game with a beautiful ball. Hopefully that will build his confidence.

 

[Indian Bee]

Have to say this was India’s day. If you offered them to bat as close to lunch as possible and thereafter only have one wicket down by close of play they would have taken that in the morning.

Bizarre tactics post tea by England. I don’t get the hard ball argument as I didn’t get when Paine delayed declaring in the final test match in the Australia test series.

Pujara will bat as he does. Gill looks comfortable. England will be hoping to make inroads in the first session tomorrow. Sets up a fascinating day. England still favourites but not as favourites as they were this morning.

 

[Ashford Bees]

Have to say this was India’s day. If you offered them to bat as close to lunch as possible and thereafter only have one wicket down by close of play they would have taken that in the morning.

Bizarre tactics post tea by England. I don’t get the hard ball argument as I didn’t get when Paine delayed declaring in the final test match in the Australia test series.

Pujara will bat as he does. Gill looks comfortable. England will be hoping to make inroads in the first session tomorrow. Sets up a fascinating day. England still favourites but not as favourites as they were this morning.

I have a horrible feeling India will bat all day for the draw. England need quick wickets in the morning. My Teams call 0900 -1200 is very inconvenient

 

[Jam Jar]

Fear factor in my eyes. The previous test here against England and what India did in Australia are playing on their minds. India are more than capable of scoring at 4 runs an over and if a big partnership develops they could be in a position to give it go at Tea.

 

[Indian Bee]

I have a horrible feeling India will bat all day for the draw. England need quick wickets in the morning. My Teams call 0900 -1200 is very inconvenient

I think India will assess the situation each hour and after each session. There could potentially be some fireworks in the final session. Equally, India if they are more than 5 down by tea will hope to shut up shop, especially with our long tail.

 

[Holysmit]

The pace of scoring is very disappointing from England.

Fear factor in my eyes. The previous test here against England and what India did in Australia are playing on their minds. India are more than capable of scoring at 4 runs an over and if a big partnership develops they could be in a position to give it go at Tea.

Exactly and if we had declared and lost everyone would be saying why did he declare so early.

I get why England didn't. Given India recent chases in Australia and Pants abilty to take a game away from you in no time.

 

[Banana]

9 wickets on a day 5 Indian strip? No problem.

 

[Mark H]

9 wickets on a day 5 Indian strip? No problem.

You would think so. Bess and Leach looked on target in the final overs.

 

[The Pipe]

I wonder whether there were numerous factors determining the decisions today:
1) amount of time we were prepared to give India to bat
2) Worry that Leach has not performed well
3) 2/3 hours of Pant could take the game away from England
4) wanting 2 bites with the New Ball

whilst everyone wants attacking decisions England are more than conscious of India’s ability with the bat and an attacking declaration with time available could result in a demoralising loss. At worst now, short of some miraculous batting, we will draw the first test and not be whitewashed

whilst India might feel they have had a good day I think I would rather be in England’s position

 

[Indian Bee]

Something that all the three tests series currently on and the recent Aus/India series is that I hope it ends the debate led by Michael Vaughan on having 4 day test matches.

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

I know I'll get pelters and be bombarded with all the obvious arguments (imperative of not batting last on this strip, tired bowlers etc.), but I reiterate my earlier position that I would very rarely not enforce a follow-on. Not least because to do so, cuts out all the dither and negativity involved in the declaration decision. And think of the impact on morale of both sides if England then come out with an innings victory.

Probably just me, but one of the s in my bonnet. This and nightwatchmen!

 

[Indian Bee]

I know I'll get pelters and be bombarded with all the obvious arguments (imperative of not batting last on this strip, tired bowlers etc.), but I reiterate my earlier position that I would very rarely not enforce a follow-on. Not least because to do so, cuts out all the dither and negativity involved in the declaration decision. And think of the impact on morale of both sides if England then come out with an innings victory.

Probably just me, but one of the s in my bonnet. This and nightwatchmen!

Agreed completely with the nightwatchmen!

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

Agreed completely with the nightwatchmen!

What, you mean you have the audacity to disagree with me about follow-ons?