5.34pm Hello again. Well, India started like England in the second ODI, but finished like England in the first ODI. The upshot is they are significantly below par for these conditions - and isn't that a ludicrous thing to say about a total of 329?
A special mention for Mark Wood, who looked about as healthy as Neil Smith at the 1996 World Cup for most of his bowling spell, but consistently topped 140kph to rattle India's cage in impressive fashion.
If anyone is going to get India back on top in this contest, it will be Bhuvneshwar Kumar with the new ball...he's been fantastic throughout these contests.
5.16pm On Friday, England hunted down 337 with 39 balls to space to square the series. Today, they need to chase down seven fewer to win the series. Miller will be back shortly to launch the second innings. Here's Hardik Pandya speaking to Star Sports: "We don't have much option, but would have liked a few runs. I don't think the plan was much different. If it's there, we just like to back ourselves. I'm not disappointed at missing out on the hundred....if myself and Rishabh (Pant) would have batted [on] it would have been different. At one point, we were looking at 390. We need to bowl proper balls and make it as difficult as possible. We want to be smart. Absolutely yes (will you bowl today?)"
Meanwhile, in other Indian sport news, the National Para Athletics Championships saw a last-minute change in host city, venues with inadequate infrastructure, no COVID testing protocols, and even an event conducted under mobile lights! This is the story of a meet marred by chaos and apathy.
B Kumar c Curran b Topley 3 (13m 5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 60.00
END OF OVER:48 | 3 Runs 2 Wkts | IND: 329/9 | RR: 6.85
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar3 (3b)
- Mark Wood7-1-34-3
- Reece Topley9-0-66-0
No.11 Natarajan
M Prasidh Krishna b Wood 0 (4m 3b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
KH Pandya c Roy b Wood 25 (56m 34b 0x4 0x6) SR: 73.52
END OF OVER:47 | 5 Runs | IND: 326/7 | RR: 6.93
- Krunal Pandya23 (32b)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar2 (2b)
- Reece Topley9-0-66-0
- Mark Wood6-1-31-1
J I Pearce: "Amidst all the blazing hitting - just a quick look at Mark Wood's figures. Very impressive" --- Indeed
Johnson: "Thakur has done his job. Now its Krunal's turn to finish the innings. At least 30 runs more to post a competitive total to the English batting line up. "
Bhuvneshwar at No.9. Krunal will be on strike vs Topley
END OF OVER:46 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | IND: 321/7 | RR: 6.97
- Krunal Pandya20 (28b)
- Mark Wood6-1-31-1
- Ben Stokes7-0-45-1
SN Thakur c †Buttler b Wood 30 (35m 21b 1x4 3x6) SR: 142.85
END OF OVER:45 | 10 Runs | IND: 318/6 | RR: 7.06
- Krunal Pandya18 (25b)
- Shardul Thakur29 (18b)
- Ben Stokes7-0-45-1
- Reece Topley8-0-61-0
Stokes examines Thakur's bat and exchanges smiles #RisingPuneSupergiantlove