This is looking very good for Pant to be the Indian top run scorer in their first innings. Somebody might have had a bet on that
I get your gist , even in the Ashes series I find myself liking the Aussies, and, while Root is the star , Pant is not far behind him when it comes to entertainment, in front of, and behind the stumps, and what a day for Bess to-day, long may it continue.
Never in doubt I think we'll be wanting at least a 400 lead here. India chased down some big scores in Australia and we'll be mindful of that. Hopefully get India batting for the last 10-15 overs before close.
Seems like they're comfortable, no one looks worried and they don't seem to be wanting to push the score up quickly on the field either. Looks they've decided that they have enough runs, just to see how long they want to bowl for today
I think we are just making sure there's not enough time for India to win the game. We are probably planning on having 10-15 overs at them tonight
No-one else seems to be pulling their weight with the bat other than Root. The openers have been poor for a while now.
I don't think this india side are as bad as they've played here. We won't get a better opportunity than this to win. So we should have gone all out for the win for me.
They've currently got, arguably, the best batting side in the world. They're at home and knocked off huge scores when chasing in Australia. We've left ourselves a full day and half a session, it's on the bowlers now. They've got more than enough time. If India get 50 or 60 here with no wickets down then it's game on tomorrow.
With the time left we probably needed a 450 lead to put the game out of their reach. We should still do it, though. Gill will be the most dangerous batsman for India this innings.
Just checked and India are 12/1 to win this so had a fiver on it, for interest more than anything. We need to knick one out before the end of today, if Rohit and Gill are still in and 50-0 at the end of today, They could get 370 tomorrow with these two in and Kohli and co to come.
It's worth a 5a at that price, tbh. I had £20 on Pant at 8/1 to be the top scorer in the first innings and that's the only one I'm doing now. Gill is the best 2nd innings batsman in the world. He always seems to excel and hold innings together when they're chasing.
Great batsman, mate. Very versatile because he adjusts himself so well to the stage of the game he's in. Get in Leach!
Hell of a ball from Leach! Let's hope that can be start of things, I was just beginning to think whether 420 was enough the way India started
