Broad leads fightback as England set 405 to win

England still require 318 more runs after being set a target of 405 when India were bowled all out for 204 in the afternoon.

But Cook stayed put to reach his 50 from 172 balls in nearly three-and-a-half hours, and seemed set to close out the day alongside Joe Root until Jadeja struck. Overall, it was a good day for England as they managed to dismiss India before and managed to not lose a single wicket before tea. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were at the crease and most likely the plan would’ve been to score 250-300 and declare.

Ravichandran Ashwin drew first blood when he trapped Hameed plumb. But Broad wouldn’t be denied and claimed his fourth of the innings thanks to a thin nick through to Bairstow. “But I think we would have taken losing two wickets in 60 overs on this pitch”.

Kohli batted with his class and majesty stroking out shots all around the park in his knock from 109 balls, studded with four boundaries but before he could notch yet another century Ben Stokes’ one-handed catch at the slip ended his stay.

Umesh Yadav fell for a duck to a sharp catch by Jonny Bairstow, trying to mow runs to leg off Rashid.

By now India were 162-9 and the lead was 362.

The first breakthrough for India came in the form of Haseeb Hameed. The bowling duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad gave the flawless start to England.

England’s hopes then gradually rose, until Cook succumbed.

Broad said England would bat for a draw even as things look hard at Dr YSR Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.

“If we can have a quite hour and a half tomorrow morning then the Indian bowlers will be under pressure to take wickets, they will be under pressure to win the game”. England tried counter attacking the the total but failed with India’s spinners once against dominating over the visitors especially with Ashwin’s yet another fifer. Cook was then the subject of two DRS appeals in the space of six balls. Cook asked for a review but it was to no avail as the third umpire agreed with the field umpire’s decision.

First, in the 46th over, Jadeja (1-25) had an lbw appeal turned down.

Sure enough, having withstood 15 deliveries without opening his account, Duckett dropped to one knee in a bid to hit his way out of a corner, but succeeded only in gloving a sweep onto his thigh pad and into the gloves of Wriddhiman Saha behind the stumps.

With the pitch expected to continue deteriorating as the match goes on, some would argue that India already have a large enough lead to defend and all eyes will be on Kohli on day four to see if and when he makes the declaration. In the circumstances, it was precisely what was required.

After the drama of day four, an intriguing final day beckons. A fascinating end to Visakhapatnam’s first ever Test awaits.