If there was any hope of victory that England harboured at lunch following an inspired bowling performance in the first session of the fourth day of the fourth Test, it dissipated into thin air following a 100-run seventh wicket partnership between Rishabh Pant and Shardul Thakur. India's innings ended at 466, with a lead of 367. They have 126 overs to bowl England out and take 2-1 lead.
When the day began, India were comfortably placed at 171 runs ahead with seven wickets in hand. However, three wickets in the first session with the lead extended to only 230 by lunch brought England back into the match.
But then Thakur and Pant played themselves in and frustrated the England bowlers who found nothing from the pitch and as the new ball softened, legs started to get tired, runs started to flow quite easily for the two batsmen.
The duo fell after one another after reaching their half-centuries and extending India's lead to beyond 300.
Thakur (60 off 72 balls; 7x4s and 1x6) and Pant (50 off 106 balls; 4x4s) added exactly hundred in just under 26 overs.
They fell just before tea with Joe Root removing Thakur and Moeen Ali getting rid of Pant.
Rohit and Pujara Not to Field
Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara will not be taking the field in the final innings due to niggles.
"Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara will not take the field. Rohit has discomfort in his left knee while Pujara has pain in his left ankle. The BCCI Medical Team is assessing them," said a statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday.
Opener Sharma had scored his maiden Test century overseas when he made 127 in the second innings on Saturday. He added crucial 153 for the second wicket Pujara, who made 61.
The partnership between the two played an important role in helping India set a 368-run target for England.
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