India v England: First Test

England 226-5 (Foakes 21, Pope 92) Overs: 56

Pope moves into the 90s, the first batter to manage that in this test, with what is increasingly his trademark reverse sweep. The ball dashes through the covers for four, as England add seven to the score. Fine knock from this pair, whatever happens now.

England 219-5 (Foakes 19, Pope 87) Overs: 55

India fancy a bit more pace, bringing right arm fast bowler Mohammed Siraj. Pope cuts a length ball behind point for two runs, taking this partnership to a very fine 50 runs. Four more byes from a ball going down leg which Foakes can’t connect with but which is too fast for the gloveman. Pope getting ever closer to that century – hope the nerves don’t set in now.

An absolute ripper – Ashwin takes Stokes’ wicket yet again

England 211-5 (Foakes 12, Pope 84) Overs: 54

Ashwin returns to the attack and his first ball is a beauty, but it’s difficult for the keeper and it goes right through. past the leg stump and too quick for him to get his gloves across, so going for four byes. That seems to inspire Ben Foakes, who finds the square leg boundary with a sweep. That’s got to be the highest score off an over for a while.

England 200-5 (Foakes 12, Pope 83) Overs: 53

Bumrah sending some full balls to Foakes, who digs them out (and in), even as he’s unable to find the gaps in the field. 28,570 souls watching (some sleeping) in the Hyderabrad ground. No big surprises from the bowler in that over, but a maiden for him all the same.

England 200-5 (Foakes 12, Pope 83) Overs: 52

Less than three runs an over from this session, but that reflects well on this pair, who are growing in confidence. All they can do is pick their shots – there’s no urgency. Two simple singles and a no ball brings up the 200 for England.

England 197-5 (Foakes 11, Pope 82) Overs: 51

A need for speed means Bumrah again, although he starts with a slower ball, which Foakes has the measure of. His second ball is more dangerous, staying low and Pope breathes a sigh of relief as it passes off stump. A very good one, full and fast, bounces just in front of the batter’s toe before whipping by leg stump. A good dive from the wicket keeper prevents a near certain boundary. Two from that over, as England’s lead is now 7.

England 195-5 (Foakes 10, Pope 81) Overs: 50

The partnership passes the thirteen over mark, but only just as Jadeja sends some balls up that turn sharply away, and very late. Ollie Pope judges them well, avoiding, blocking and then making good contact. Through midwicket with two fielders chasing it shouldn’t have gone for four, but each left it for the other.

England 191-5 (Foakes 10, Pope 77) Overs: 49

Bumrah’s back, with an open field, including a slip and a gully, that suggests he might deliver some slower balls. He looks eager to add to his two wickets, for just 21 runs. Foakes will defend length all day (famous last words) but Bumrah will also wear the batters down and vary the swing incrementally. Can he do for Foakes what he did for Duckett? Not in that over, but almost with the yorker. A maiden for Bumrah who wound up the pace towards the end.

England 191-5 (Foakes 10, Pope 77) Overs: 48

Jadeja still to find his rhythm in this session and some lose balls allow England to finally draw level. Now we’ll see how much of a lead these county team-mates can build for their country.

England 188-5 (Foakes 9, Pope 76) Overs: 47

A flick of Popel’s wrist and then some good running gets England a couple and keeps him the strike. A hairy moment for him as he darts towards the ball and finds himself out of the crease with India throwing at the stumps. A direct hit and he’d have been gone. India bizarrely ask for a review, as the original ball was to pad, but it was well outside the line. Not sure why they indulged that one to be honest – because they could?

England 186-5 (Foakes 9, Pope 74) Overs: 46

Another chase for Ashwin and this time he opts not to dive and just crouches over to rescue the ball. Three runs for Foakes from that one, and five from the over as England trail by four.

England 181-5 (Foakes 6, Pope 72) Overs: 45

Axar keeps the ball and largely keeps Foakes defending from the back foot. The wicketkeeper does have something to prove here, but he’s already doing a decent job of proving it. A maiden over for Axar as the deficit is now 9 runs.

England 181-5 (Foakes 6, Pope 72) Overs: 44

Back with Jadeja at the other end, and Pope is still sweeping before sending one to mid-on for a boundary. It slowed up, and Aswin looked to have it but his slide was… not the most elegant and he missed it completely with a wafting right hand.

England 177-5 (Foakes 6, Pope 68) Overs: 43

Back out for the crucial final session of the day finds England closing in on parity, but a very very long way from any sort of lead. If you want our estimate, they’re going to need the better part of the same again to be in with any chance of taking something from this match.

The first over after tea and Ollie Pope is looking as lively as he was before the break. We start with the spin of Axar, with Foakes facing him. He’s not the batting gloveman that Bairstow is, but he needs them, at least enough to help Ollie Pope along. In that over he gets them thanks to a confidence-inspiring cover drive for four.

Ashwin is just *too* good

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08:45 – Pope the only hope

The Surrey man has been the only England player India haven’t had the better of in England’s second innings, but he can’t do it on his own. A big score won’t be achieved without someone at the other end, and that means a lot of pressure on his county team-mate Foakes’ shoulders now.

It feels like a long time ago: Crawley smashes six early on in England’s innings

Tea – England 172-5 (Foakes 2, Pope 67) Overs: 42

It’s been more than sixty balls since the last boundary. Proper red ball cricket being played now, as England are digging deep, even as India are defending like real meanies. Another maiden for Jadeja, who presses Foakes onto his back foot. England scored an average of three an over across the 17 from that session. Most significantly, they’ve seen four wickets fall. Although the spinners have done their bit, it was the seamers who started things off. India will be delighted with how that spell went.

England 172-5 (Foakes 2, Pope 67) Overs: 41

Axar into bowl means it’s left-arm spinners at both ends now. Pope seems prepared to block his way to tea, as Axar adds a maiden to his stats.

England 172-5 (Foakes 2, Pope 67) Overs: 40

The ball back with Jadeja, looking to prevent this partnership from forming. Foakes, you’ll likely be aware, is England’s last recognised batter. No wicket but he limits the pair to a run apiece. The lead is down to 18, but England need a lot more than just to draw level.

Replay: The finger has gone up – Bumrah does for Root as England lose another wicket

England 170-5 (Foakes 1, Pope 66) Overs: 39

Two more runs from Pope off Ashwin, tapping to long on and running well to return for the second. A couple more singles, the second getting Foakes off the mark. Every run is valuable at this stage, as England trail by 20.

England 166-5 (Foakes 0, Pope 63) Overs: 38

A nice double from Ollie Pope through point to start the over. It might have been a boundary, as the fielders got confused but just did enough to save the four runs. Pope picks up another single to the on-side before being beaten with the final ball, Jadeja turning it and bouncing it but it’s just into the gloves.

England 163-5 (Foakes 0, Pope 60) Overs: 37

A gentle push from Ben Stokes to Ashwin brings Pope into the strike, whose very next ball must find him with his heart in his mouth, sweeping in the air. Then Stokes’ wicket fell and that’s all she wrote.

Wicket! Stokes b Ashwin 6

Beautiful bowling from Ashwin, beating the England captain with a ball that looked to be comfortably coming to his bat but swerved late onto off stump. England in real trouble now.

England 159-4 (Stokes 5, Pope 58) Overs: 36

Another sweep through midwicket by Ollie Pope, but it only delivers him a singe, while Stokes misjudges one of his own, nearly costing him his leg stump as Jadeja’s ball turns late and a lot. Jadeja bowling a lot faster than he normally does in that over. Two runs from that over as the batters played… professionally, I think would be the word.

England 157-4 (Stokes 4, Pope 57) Overs: 35

Ravichandran Ashwin again, who loves bowling to lefties. He varies the pace and length to Stokes, who has to be as patient as can be, enduring an over you’d say, and adding no runs to the total.

England 157-4 (Stokes 4, Pope 57) Overs: 34

Jadeja continuing his spell, as Pope continues to try the reverse sweep. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t and on this occasion it doesn’t. An on-side single for him gets the scoreboard moving again, while a reverse sweep of Stokes’ own to deep point takes him to four runs. Is this the start of a partnership. Patience, young padawan.

50 Up for Ollie Pope

England 154-4 (Stokes 3, Pope 56) Overs: 33

A very good over from Ashwin who claims another maiden. He beats Stokes outside off with the first ball of the over and the umpire decides to take a look with a view to a possible stumping. In the end he decides Stokes toe was still just about in touch with the pitch. Phew, there wasn’t much in that. A confident leave with the next, a very similar ball.

England 154-4 (Stokes 3, Pope 56) Overs: 32

Finally England get the better of Jadeja, as Pope sweeps to the boundary from a ball that didn’t exactly invite it. The batter is quite happy to nudge short to the field for the rest of the over. He’s picking his shots, and picking them well.

England 150-4 (Stokes 3, Pope 52) Overs: 31

Ashwin again for India, and it’s a fine over of bowling to keep Stokes on the back foot and force him to defend. No runs added to the total, and that lead is as strong as it was six balls before.

England 150-4 (Stokes 3, Pope 52) Overs: 30

Can Jadeja claim another scalp? He certainly fancies one, and is mixing up his balls beautifully. No wickets but only one off the over as England trail by 40 runs.

England 149-4 (Stokes 2, Pope 52) Overs: 29

Ashwin replaces Axar in the India strike. He tempts Pope into a wild reverse sweep, but the batter spots the next one, a full toss, and sends it to the boundary and bring up his 50. Another pair of runs comes from a nudge to point before mis-sweeping again. Fortunately no harm is done.

England 142-4 (Stokes 1, Pope 46) Overs: 28

Jadeja’s first ball to Stokes is unsettling but his foot was over the line, so he’ll have to do it again. Stokes manages to get off the mark with the next one, as England surely feel rattled, while India are smiling inside and out.

Wicket! Bairstow b Jadeja 10

Outsmarted by some tremendous bowling from Jadeja from the fourth ball of the over. He sent the ball straight onto off stump after turning the previous one. Hard lines for Johnny Bairstow, but he’ll be annoyed at himself for that one.

England 136-3 (Bairstow 6, Pope 46) Overs: 27

Axar Patel comes in to bowl after drinks, which means it’s spin at both ends. The batters look to find their feet, and get the measure of the man, which they do well for the first five balls. Then with the final ball of the over, thanks to great footwork Pope plays a lovely shot down the ground for fours runs past mid-on. 54 runs India now lead.

Root takes back-to-back wickets as India’s tail crumbles

England 131-3 (Bairstow 5, Pope 42) Overs: 26

A boundary for Pope on the first ball of over 26, playing a reverse sweep shot past the slip fielders and up to the fine leg boundary. He tries again a couple of balls later, but the bounce gets the better of him and Bharat is onto it with the gloves. A sly single for each of the batters to bring up drinks, playing Jadeja’s length balls well. This partnership is forming, it seems.

England 125-3 (Bairstow 4, Pope 37) Overs: 25

At least one more over for Bumrah then, who tries out a slower ball to Bairstow, but the batter sees it coming and guides it past cover point for a single. Pope doesn’t judge the same ball as well, but manages to steal a single all the same. The final ball of the over is a sensational one and it’s hard to see how it doesn’t go through, deceiving Bairstow with the yorker, inside edge onto pad and just missing the stumps.

England 122-3 (Bairstow 3, Pope 35) Overs: 24

With England trailing by 70 runs, Jadeja comes in for Sirah, for his second over of the innings, as we’re back with spin again. Can Bairstow handle it as well as the openers did? He seems to be able to – even if he’s not in a hurry. He’ll frustrate the Indian attack as he can, and take the odd run where it presents itself. One in that over for him, and another for Pope who pushes through the covers to bring up Bairstow v Bumrah once more.

England 120-3 (Bairstow 2, Pope 36) Overs: 23

Thirty runs from the seven overs so far in this session, for the fall of two valuable wickets, as Bumrah returns for what must be one of his last overs for a while. He’s been brutal, causing England so much trouble with the pace and swing he’s found from the new(ish) ball. Johnny Bairstow looks determined to lead the fightback, though, starting by not taking any undue risks. He’ll get the bat in front of the ball all day if that’s what it takes, and has no issues taking the heat out of this particular battle. A single to finish the over denies Bumrah the maiden and ensures Bairstow keeps the strike.

England 119-3 (Bairstow 1, Pope 34) Overs: 22

Siraj steams in to take full advantage of the momentum which is now undoubtedly back with India. One run for pope in that over to give Bairstow the strike, who gets off the mark himself with the final ball of the over. England have been pegged back, especially in the last couple of overs, with wickets falling and singles the only runs they’ve been able to find. That missed DRS opportunity already feels like a distant memory.

England 117-3 (Root 2, Pope 33) Overs: 21

Back with Bumrah, who looks to swing the ball back in and trouble Joe Root’s pads, or tempt him into a nick behind. Both the best in class, we have the prospect of a fearsome contest you’d have to say. Just the one run for Root from the first ball, pushing a single past point. Bumrah sends a yorker up to Ollie Pope who struggles with his feet but manages well to get his bat in place. The slower ball fools Pope a little, and he chips it up but it lands safely between fielders in the cover and England add another single. The final ball of the over sees Joe Root given out Lbw immediately, beaten by a length ball that hits him just below the knee roll. England’s review is in vain. He has not lasted long, just six balls for two runs.

England 115-2 (Root 1, Pope 32) Overs: 20

Mohammed Siraj comes in to bowl his first over of the innings, which means England will be facing pace at both ends. Pope works a length ball to square leg for Siraj’s first ball, before Root gets himself going with the next one, just nodding it behind square. Good length from Siraj in this over, prompting relative caution from the England batters, who know they find themselves in a precarious, important position. What happens in the next couple of overs could well determine the course of this match.

England 113-2 (Root 0, Pope 31) Overs: 19

Bumrah steams in after that missed opportunity and Ben Duckett plays positively at the ball swinging away, making great contact and sending it into the cover where there’s a misfield and it continues to the fence. Duckett defends the next two balls, before taking a fairly wild swing off the next one, making contact with the glove and picking up another four. He doesn’t get away with it twice, though as Bumrah gets his man with the next ball. Duckett makes for a booming cover drive but it’s straight through and rattles the off stump. A good 47 for Duckett, but now it’s Joe Root time. England trail by 77.

England 105-1 (Duckett 39, Pope 31) Overs: 18

The very next ball brings up the first boundary of the session, a lovely shot from Ollie Pope as he steps to it and drives through mid-off for four. Another one from the next ball, as Ashwin gets onto the ball being sent down the leg side, helping it on its way to the boundary. Better balls from the next four from Ashwin keep Pope from scoring any more.

England 97-1 (Duckett 39, Pope 23) Overs: 17

Jasprit Bumrah from the opposite end, looking to make the ball swing, force England onto the back foot and maybe find an edge or two. He sends the ball down both sides but Ollie Pope uses his feet well, to drive into the covers for a couple of runs and bring up the 50 partnership. Now trailing for less than 100 has got to be a psychological boost for England. Pope pushes at a length ball, which finds an inside edge but lands safe. The final ball of the over brings up a Lbw shout and an appeal but no review from India. It would have been successful though…

England 94-1 (Duckett 38, Pope 17) Overs: 16

Ashwin opens the bowling after lunch looking to get up in the face of England, who don’t want to lose an early wicket. They have started with the same intent, though, Duckett scoring a single, and Pope picking up four from that over. They have inspired doubt in Ashwin’s mind, and it’s working to the visitors’ advantage.

06:45 – Rooting their way back into the match

After India’s batters looked to press home their advantage, it was Joe Root wot done it for England, taking two wickets in two balls in the 120th over of the Indian innings. The first was Jadeja, given Lbw defending. It might have taken an edge but ultraedge was inconclusive so it stayed with the umpire. No doubt about Root’s second of the day, however, as he snuck a full ball between Bumrah’s bat and pad, rattling the stumps and bringing delight to the visitors. No hat-trick for Root, but the final wicket came in the next over, Rehan bowling Axar Patel with a ball that stayed low and clattered the stumps.

With the bat, England have been even better, fearlessly ploughing their way into the formidable India lead. In just 15 overs their 89 runs have come at almost six an over. The only blot on the copy book is the wicket of Zak Crawley, who fell to Ashwin in the 10th over.

06:30 – Welcome to Day 3

Good morning, and welcome to live coverage from the third day of the first test of the (northern hemisphere) winter series between India and England in Hyderabad.

If you went to bed hoping things would look (indeed be) at least a little happier for England in the early morning than they were at midday (UK time) on Friday, well I’m pleased to be the bearer of good news.

The situation at lunch finds England batting and currently trailing by 101 runs. They claimed the three wickets they needed for the addition of just 15 runs, and have gotten moving this morning. In the first 15 overs of the innings, 89 runs have been scored, for the loss of just Zak Crawley.

India remain in the box seats, but England are closer than they were to back in it. Play will resume shortly.

06:30 – TNT Sports: The home of England men’s tours of India

TNT Sports will become the new official broadcast home of England men’s tours of India in 2024, 2025 and 2028.

TNT Sports has also agreed a deal to show exclusive live coverage of every red-ball and white-ball international series played in India for the next five years.

The means England’s five-Test tour of India, starting on Thursday 25 January, will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+, and you can follow live over-by-over updates here.

The new agreement also means:

England’s five-Test tour of India, starting on Thursday 25 January, will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+TNT Sports will broadcast England’s white ball tour (3 x ODIs and 5 x T20s) of India in January-February 2025TNT Sports will broadcast England’s tour of India, currently scheduled for January-February 2028.TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.