India v England – live! | Rob Smyth and Andy Bull

India v England – live!

It's all over, England aren't allowed the extra half hour, and we'll all have to come back tomorrow. Ashwin has batted brilliantly - Ojha has only had to face one delivery since the new ball was taken.

83rd over: India 239-9 (Ashwin 82 Ojha 3) "Has Sinj turned the water off at the mains?" asks Nick Tebbutt, most helpfully. "That's the first move. After that, she should probably just leave the house and ignore the problem until evaporation takes its course. Now, can the OBOers suggest a fix for my problem? I'm crushingly hungover and there's no breakfast in the flat. Everything's too bright outside, but the gf's just threatened to hit me if I don't provide something. What to do?" Oh yes, that one's easy Nick - first option is to lock yourself in the toilet until she gives in and goes out herself, second option is to get down on your knees and plead that she look in her heart, has mercy on you and goes out to get breakfast herself, third option is to trade it off against promises of future good deeds.

82nd over: India 238-9 (Ashwin 82 Ojha 3) Ashwin wallops four more through mid-wicket. He's playing wonderfully well. But I wish he wasn't. I realise it's only the journalists who really care whether or not England win this tonight, but take my word for it, it's tremendously tense for us professionals. There's a day off at stake here. Here, just for Miss Mukherjee, is a little practical advice on the problems of a flooded bathroom: "Tools for flooding depend on the depth of the problem (sorry)…" writes Matt Bedford. "When towels and mops can't cut it anymore you may be best off leaving it be and going to shop for a pump/wet-dry vacuum cleaner. Also essential: a camera – take loads of photos for insurance purposes… if neighbours are knocking, you may need those snaps." That wasn't the most thrilling email we've ever published on the OBO, I have to say.

81st over: India 232-9 (Ashwin 76 Ojha 3) England could take the new ball now, if the umpires allow them to in this rather murky light. They will, it seems. Cook has called for it, and given it to Anderson. His first ball is way down the leg side. Ashwin could yet come to regret extending this match so long that England have been able to take a new ball - Anderson has rapped him on the hand with sharp, straight delivery, and he's now in a little pain. The next ball nips back and almost sneaks through the gate. Ashwin carts the next ball back past the bowler for four, and slashes the next away for a single to the leg-side. Infuriatingly, that means Ojha gets off strike for the next over.

80th over: India 228-9 (Ashwin 70 Ojha 3) "What do you reckon Smyth is thinking right now?" asks Simon McMahon. "Probably hoping these two hang around til the close so he can get up for work at 3am on Sunday, right?" You called it, Simon. Cricket is glorious isn't it? There are four overs left today, minus two for the change of innings, plus, of course, England could claim the extra half hour to try and win the match tonight. But that's only if the dying light allows it, though. India lead by 21 now.

79th over: India 228-9 (Ashwin 72 Ojha 3) Oh my. Four more, as Ashwin clips a drive over mid-on "The flat beneath have just been round to shout at me," says Miss Mukherjee, who has written in to point out that I made the mistake of assuming she was a man the last time I mentioned her. "Luckily they were shouting in Chinese so I happily nodded, waved at my towels and shut the door on them." Come on readers, what's the lady to do?

78th over: India 222-9 (Ashwin 66 Ojha 2) Cook brings up his fielders, trying to tempt Ashwin into playing a big shot or, at least, ensure that Ojha is on strike for the next over. Ashwin does play a few ludicrous strokes, skipping down the pitch and trying -and failing - to swat a lofted drive down the ground, then swishing a reverse sweep to third man. The terrible truth is starting to dawn on the Sky commentators - they will have to come back tomorrow morning.

77th over: India 219-9 (Ashwin 63 Ojha 2) India's lead is 11 now. There are six overs to come after this one, less two for the change of innings. Monty leads a raucous lbw appeal against Ojha, but the ball was turning too much and would have missed leg stump.

76th over: India 218-9 (Ashwin 63 Ojha 2) Oh dear. Now Ojha seems to be blocking too. Swing for six, or die trying man, there's no glory in the blocking game. The mind of Peter James McKean has been set wondering down memory lane by that photo of young Alastair Cook at the top of the page: "When I was working at Oakham School I once went to Bedford School for an away cricket fixture. As my U15B team trooped into tea I lingered outsidee the pavilion to watch the 1st XI. On cue, a young batsman clipped a ball of his toes to bring up a double century (against an Oakham side containing Stuart Broad, who opened the batting in those days). Frank Hayes, ex. England and Lancashire commented 'That's the best young batsman I've seen in 20 years'. It was, of course, Alastair Cook. In a way I wish I'd said something like "Oh, I don't think he's all that. Looks a bit dodgy outside off stump" as then I could have joined the ranks of Teachers Who Were Embarrassingly Wrong. But he was pretty good, so I just watched."

75th over: India 217-9 (Ashwin 62 Ojha 2) No one does seem to have any suggestions for poor old Miss Mukherjee with his flooded bathroom. I imagine he's out of towels by now, too. Ashwin, meanwhile, has walloped a crisp four though cover. A glorious shot that. The next one is good too, a whip off his hips for another boundary. "India have found one here," says Nasser, "a proper all-rounder."

74th over: India 208-9 (Ashwin 53 Ojha 1) Ojha's recklessness seems to be infectious. Ashwin slaps a slog sweep away square for one four, and steers the next past third man for another. So, that brings up his fifty, and also means that the scores are level. England will have to bat again. Ashwin tries a reverse sweep now, for another single, and India lead by one.

73rd over: India 198-9 (Ashwin 45 Ojha 1) This is more like it. Ojha has an almighty swing at his first ball and skies the ball into the outfield. He takes a single, and Ashwin shoots him a dirty look. Ojha ignores him. It may have been irresponsible, but it was entertaining.

WICKET! Sharma 10 b Panesar (India 197-9) Well thank goodness for that. Monty bowls Sharma. Phew, Sharma's interminable innings of 10 from 53 balls is finally over. Well played, sir, but I'll be happy if I never have to sit through the like again. There's one wicket needed, and India still trail by ten runs.

Please, please, please let this stumping be out. It's gone for a review. And it's not out. Sharma survives.

71st over: India 196-8 (Ashwin 44, Sharma 10) Ashwin steers two runs down to third man.

71st over: India 193-8 (Ashwin 41, Sharma 10) India need 14 more to make England bat again, and there are 12 overs left today.

70th over: India 192-8 (Ashwin 40, Sharma 10) Ashwin thumps a drive in the air through mid-off, but there is no one there to catch it. A reader in need writes: "I'm wondering if the OBOers might be able to help me figure out how to quickly revert my bathroom back from the mini swimming pool it has currently turned into. All my towels are now too sodden to take up any more water and the fan heater just seems to create interesting currents and eddies. Of course, me wandering off for cricket updates and catching up on the action via OBO may mean I've perhaps not been as diligent in bailing out as I should be. Any suggestions for how I can speed up the drying process gratefully received (not involving turning up the heating as my 1930s flat has only two settings....). Oh, and if England can hurry up and get the tail end out that would also be marvellous so I can focus properly on the problem." Any suggestions for Sinj Mukherjee?

69th over: India 191-8 (Ashwin 39, Sharma 10) This is getting a little tedious, to be honest. Credit to Ashwin and Sharma, of course, for not giving in, but there is no way to win they can win the match from here, and from a spectator's point of view, their stonewalling isn't much to enjoy. England, in the meantime, have turned flatter than week-old Tizer.

68th over: India 188-8 (Ashwin 37, Sharma 9) For India, this stand is almost more of a problem than it is a help, given the light it is casting on the effort of the other batsmen. They have out on 28 off 78 balls so far, and have made batting look very easy indeed in the last 30 minutes. "I think these home defeats might be the best thing to happen to Indian cricket," says Anand, with no little sagacity. "After successive drubbings, the talk was always about walking all over the opposition at home. If that happened, would have plastered over the cracks and no steps taken to overhaul. I hope that the new selection committee sees these defeats as the time to make changes. Unless people everywhere start blaming curators for the inabilities of the players."

67th over: India 184-8 (Ashwin 33, Sharma 9) Swann is on now. Here's hoping he can wrap this innings up quick sharp. Two of his first three balls spin viciously, the second of them ballooning up off Ishant's pads and looping over Cook at silly point. It's a maiden.

66th over: India 184-8 (Ashwin 33, Sharma 9) Four byes, down the leg side, though Matt Prior couldn't have done much about them, so much did the ball swing after pitching. India need another 23 to avoid the innings defeat. As Simon McMahon says, "it's come to something when it would be a victory of sorts for India to make England bat again."

65th over: India 178-8 (Ashwin 31, Sharma 9) "Yasir gulzar's comment in over 55 reminds me of when I passed the Tebbit test," says Siddhu Warrier. "I felt exactly the same as England trounced Pakistan at the Oval two years ago. I was on that great day doing Norman Tebbit proud, waving the cross of St George in the middle of a (slightly annoyed) group of Pakistan supporters. I guess today is when my bad karma sees me get my just desserts (a slightly rancid gulab jamun, to be precise)."

64th over: India 178-8 (Ashwin 31, Sharma 9) Monty is on now, with four men crowding around the bat. Sharma chops the ball over the head of Jimmy Anderson at slip, and gets himself four more. "Are India aware that their tactic to restrict Alastair Cook's run-scoring (by only offering him a single innings per match) is not new," chortles Christopher Howell, "and that furthermore it wasn't successful for Australia?"

63rd over: India 174-8 (Ashwin 31, Sharma 5) Four more, for Ashwin this time. It all looks a little easy out there right now, though perhaps that's just because we're expecting wickets to fall so easily. England's biggest win in terms of runs in India is, I think, and innings and 25. At the moment they lead by an innings and 33 here. Ashwin refuses a series of singles, and then calls for a new bat, his current one having cracked at the splice.

62nd over: India 170-8 (Ashwin 27, Sharma 5) Sharma smears four past point off an inswinging half volley from Anderson. They trail by 37 now.

61st over: India 166-8 (Ashwin 27, Sharma 1) Bumble is on brilliant form today in the commentary box. He must have finally got his head around the early starts. Either that or he got out to the French House in Soho last night, which, I think, is that's his usual haunt in London. He's just whipped out a pair of immaculate impressions of Brian Johnston and Fred Trueman on TMS.

60th over: India 166-8 (Ashwin 27, Sharma 1) Jimmy Anderson is into the attack now. Sharma somehow keeps him out for an entire over. "I think I speak for a lot of the OBO when I say 'Yessssssss!' This is sensational stuff, Ahmedabad seems aeons away, doesn't it?" says Guy Hornsby I wonder what team we'll see from India in 4 days? Sachin and DhonI still there, Ohja, Ashwin? Who else?" It'll be fascinating to see how many changes they feel able to make. Perhaps they'll give this same time one last chance in this series. Yuvraj, I guess, would be the easiest man to drop.

59th over: India 166-8 (Ashwin 27, Sharma 1) Fine shot by Ashwin, a pull for four off Finn. "It's 2 am in Salt Lake City, " says Adam Blackwell. "Where I have a terrible cold and am in great need of some recuperative sleep. So naturally I am following every over of a match whose result is now a foregone conclusion." Yes, it sort of feels like we should just be able to fast-forward through these last two wickets. England might be thinking the same thing, which would be why Prior has fluffed two chances. In the meantime we can enjoy the fact that Billy Cooper is starting to blast out Knees Up Mother Brown on his trumpet. Nice.

58th over: India 162-8 (Ashwin 23, Sharma 1) Yes, yes, I said "follow-on", when I meant "innings defeat". My brain is malfunctioning. As is Matt Prior's 'keeping. He's just dropped a straightforward sort of chance off Sharma, and this time Monty is seriously unamused.

57th over: India 162-8 (Ashwin 23, Sharma 1) Ishant Sharma is a gangling tripod of a batsman, seeming to sway in the breeze, propped up only by his bat. He doesn't inspire much confidence. Ashwin, on the other hand, has batted better than any other member of the vaunted middle order. He plays out a maiden from Finn, who also, again, knocks off the bails at the non-striker's end in his delivery stride. Nick Knight and Nasser Hussain, meanwhile, are having another set-to on the commentary. I don't know what passed between these two as players, whether it was at Essex or England, but they haven't got over it yet.

56th over: India 162-8 (Ashwin 23, Sharma 1) India need 45 runs to avoid an innings defeat. Ashwin skips down the wicket and tries to launch a lofted drive down the ground, his head full of thoughts of Botham and Headingley '81. He missed the ball, and should have been stumped but Prior fumbled the chance. Monty is furious. Cook consoles him by bringing in another slip.

WICKET! Khan 0 lbw b Finn (India 159-8) That ball was far too good for a batsman of Zaheer's quality, slanting in and staying low, beating the dangling bat and hitting the pads. This match has but minutes to run.

55th over: India 159-7 (Ashwin 21 Zaheer 0) it's not just that England are winning, it's the way they're doing it. This is an utter trouncing. "Perhaps the most novel experience is scrolling up the OBO, watching the clatter of wickets and flurry of runs in the first session and expecting to see us fight back," says Alex Webster. "I'm not sure when this change happened and I'm not sure how I feel about it. And I don't even feel the 0.0002g of sympathy for the Indians I felt when we beat them 4-0. I'm really becoming a ruthless, clinical observer of Test matches." Ha! You're developing an Australian streak. Soon you'll just be asking for stronger opposition because you're bored of watching England win.

54th over: India 159-7 (Ashwin 21 Zaheer 0) "As a British citizen of Pakistani descent this is the kind of performance that would enable me to pass the Tebbit test with flying colours," cackles Yasir Gulzar. "The fact that the opposition is India at home is merely the icing on the cake (or should that be pistachios on the kulfi?)"

WICKET! Kohli c Prior b Finn (India 155-7) What was I saying? Kohli goes, caught behind off a loose drive. It was good bowling from Finn, a three card trick, with the wide away-swinger following two balls that were slanting straight in at the stumps. This match is all but over now. It's a question of when, not whether, the match will end in this session. Finn almost has Zaheer caught behind off the very first ball, with a delivery that jagged back and may just have flicked the glove on the way through to Prior. The umpire decided that he couldn't tell whether it did or didn't, so Zaheer bats on.

53rd over: India 155-6 (Kohli 20 Ashwin 17) Finn is on at the other end. This is now Kohli's top score of the series so far. He's more than capable, of course, of making many more this afternoon. Whether or not anyone can stay with him is another question. Ashwin can bat, and has taken a Test match century off the West Indies in his time, but there's not much to come after him.

52nd over: India 153-6 (Kohli 19 Ashwin 16) Monty starts after tea, bowling from around the wicket to Ashwin. His first ball is a little too far over towards leg stump, and Ashwin glances it away for four. His last is a little wide of off, and Ashwin chops it away for four the other way, to third man. "Greetings from Jakarta," says John Leavey. "I spent last night and this morning watching the DVD of Melbourne 2010. I remember it well as I watched it on TV in various bars in Bali, surrounded by Aussies. I particularly enjoyed them laughing at me and jumping up and down at the moment we'd been we'd been bowled out. For a 400+ lead. Muppets. Happy days. Today feels like that - a major achievement I thought I'd never see again. Anyone know of an Indian bar in Jakarta?" What a truly inspired way to spend your spare time, John.

Shane Warne, by the way, ended up bowling two overs for 41 runs.Ouch.

While we're reveling in events in India, I can't stop myself taking a pot-shot or two at the "cricketainment" passing for serious sport which is underway in Australia. Gideon Haigh skewered the Big Bash League in The Australian today. I can't link to the piece because if I do you'll be asked to pay to read it. But if you google "Gideon Haigh Big Bash Bumf" you'll soon find it:

In fact, the Sixers have played the Thunder precisely once, and pulverised them, as did almost everyone last season. But if you're in the mood for a quiet barf, proceed no further than the mission statements of the Thunder and Sixers on their cookie-cutter websites.

The Thunder? They're "the real Sydney and will represent the hard-working families from the heartland of Australia", playing "with the same spirit as their local community - determined and hard-working with a never give in attitude".

The Sixers? They're for those who "love the glitz and glamour of the harbour city". And guess what? "They don't shy away from aiming to be the team that everyone else wants to be. Their uniforms are bright but that's the way they want it. They'll be loud and proud on and off the field."

That someone was paid for writing this crud is as miraculous as anything you will witness in the BBL this summer.

"Waking up and seeing the score on OBO reminds me of watching England demolish Holland in Euro 96 at my friend's house," writes a misty-eyed Mark Hooper. "His flatmate came home and, seeing the score (4-0 at the time), made the only logical conclusion: asked 'How have you done that?' and looked behind the telly to see if we'd somehow 'hooked up a computer to change the score'." Yup, it was a dizzying session, and England fans can be excused for feeling a little delirious about what they're watching. I had a familiar feeling last weekend, actually, following the score from Twickenham on my phone while I was watching Wales play Australia in Cardiff. Anyone else got any cherished Victor Meldrew moments - 'I don't believe it' - from following English sport?

Morning all. Andy Bull here now, so send your emails to me please, onandy.bull@guardian.co.uk. Rob needs his beauty sleep, and doesn't want to be pestered when he's trying to nap.

TEA

51st over: India 145-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 19, Ashwin 8) Steven Finn bowls the last over of a momentous session for England. It began with the wicket of Virender Sehwag from the first ball after lunch, and in 30 overs they took six wickets for 59 runs. It was every bit as beautiful as those bare figures suggest. "Well, what the blazes?" emails Andy Bull. He'll be here after tea, when England will hopefully complete an unforgettable victory. Thanks for your emails; see you tomorrow or next week.

50th over: India 145-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 19, Ashwin 8) Swann has gone around the wicket, an angle from which he bowls well to right-handers because he can beat either edge of the bat. Not much happens. One over to tea.

49th over: India 142-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 18, Ashwin 6) Ashwin, on the drive, edges Monty just wide of slip for four. India trail by 63. Kohli and Ashwin, who will be two of the key players in the new India side that will surely emerge after this series, have played well in the last half hour. It would have been pretty easy, too easy, to give it away.

"I was driving down to Southampton from London in the early hours of the morning listening to TMS on Radio 4 198 LW in my grandmas hand-me-down micra which is so old it only has a MW and LW radio," says Richard Webley. "I was getting a familar 'here we go again' feeling as India were effortlessly pilling on the runs for no loss. Now I'm on the ferry to the Isle of Wight and everytime I check the OBO on my smartphone india lose a wicket. Great! Made me think that maybe India prefer being listenened to on LW. It definitely fits with their technophobe DRS stance!"

48th over: India 138-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 18, Ashwin 2) I've tried headbutting the wall, I've tried shock therapy, I've tried a Berocca buttie, but whatever I do the scoreboard still says that India are six down and England are closing in on a 2-1 lead. In India. After going 1-0 down. And losing all three tosses. It's ludicrous.

47th over: India 131-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 13, Ashwin 1) "I think England's best session," says Jeremy Bunting, "was when they won the Ashes and ended up in 10, Downing St. the following morning."

46th over: India 131-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 12, Ashwin 1) India have only lost consecutive home Tests twice since 1977: against Pakistan and West Indies in 1987, and against South Africa in 2000. They have been pretty feeble here, although England have harassed them into surrender. India are nowhere near as bad as England have made the look.

45th over: India 130-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 11, Ashwin 1) Panesar comes on for Anderson, who bowled a glorious spell of 5-2-8-2. There's a stumping referral when Ashwin misses a defensive stroke; he did lift his back foot but it was down again in time.

44th over: India 129-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 10, Ashwin 1) A maiden from Swann to Ashwin. Some very sad news from Kolkata: our ticketless hero Paul Walsh is stuck in a traffic jam. You've missed one of the more famous sessions of English cricket since the turn of the century. I sympathise – I was lying on a hotel bed in Jamaica while Steve Harmison was taking seven for 12 down the road. Nearly nine years later I'm completely over it, clearly.

43rd over: India 129-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 8, Ashwin 1) Kohli plays a fine stroke, wristily flicking Anderson through midwicket for four. India trail by 78.

"At Milan airport, with the Alps looking as if they are covered in pink snow in the rosy dawn," says Martin Kettle. "La Scala last night. An Indian batting collapse this morning. It doesn't get much better than this."

42nd over: India 125-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 4, Ashwin 1) Complete the sentence: 'This has been England's session since ...'. Melbourne 2010? The Oval 2009? Swann beats Ashwin with one that goes straight on. We have around 25 minutes to tea, so this match could easily finish today.

"This is ridiculous," says Hugo Hutchison. "I only went next door to change my son's nappy and I missed a wicket. Are the players aware that this is Test cricket, not T20?" Hang on, you went next door to change your son's nappy? What David Lynch suburbia do you live in?

41st over: India 125-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 4, Ashwin 1) Ashwin inside edges Anderson a fraction wide of leg stump. It's almost a false shot a ball at the moment.

"I press refresh, Dhoni's gone," says Paddy Blewer. "I refresh again and there's more detail, plus my email. The power has gone to my head (and lack of sleep). I will hereby finish the Indian innings early by refreshing at a higher frequency."

40th over: India 122-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 4, Ashwin 0) "Slept through the morning session," says Ken Danbury. "Woke up to Swann taking the first wicket. Good decision I reckon."

39th over: India 122-6 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 4, Ashwin 0) Anderson's first ball to Ashwin is a beautiful reverse inswinger that Ashwin keeps out and later in the over he inside edges a wide delivery not far wide of off stump. Glorious bowling.

"My 10 month old Aidan is asleep on my chest after a v bad night," says Paddy Blewer. "I'm rationing refreshes on crackberry to every 10 mins or so not to wake him. Every refresh something's happened. Great session."

WICKET! India 122-6 (Dhoni c Cook b Anderson 0) Is this really happening? Call 999-BUMBLE, because England are on fire! Anderson has struck again to dismiss MS Dhoni for a duck. It was a good delivery, just short of a length on a perfect fourth-stump line. Dhoni went fishing and edged it low to Cook at first slip. India have lost six for 36 since lunch! This is spellbinding stuff. Anderson has had a sensational game.

38th over: India 122-5 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 4, Dhoni 0) Kohli can't get going at all. After another maiden from Swann, he has four from 18 balls. "This is magnificent cricket from England," says Gary Naylor. "After the disappointing first session, in the context of the series and history, this must be one of England's greatest ever couple of hours." I wouldn't go that far personally, but it has been an awesome performance, particularly coming on the back of such a difficult morning session.

37th over: India 122-5 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 4, Dhoni 0) MS Dhoni plays around a reverse inswinger second ball and survives a big shout for LBW. It was going down.

WICKET! India 122-5 (Yuvraj b Anderson 11) There's the uneven bounce! Yuvraj has been torpedoed by Anderson. He switched around the wicket to the left-hander and struck with his first delivery. It was straight, just short of a length, and it grubbed hideously to clean Yuvraj up. There was nothing he could do. He jabbed his bat down desperately and the ball flew off the bottom edge onto the stumps. India have lost five for 36 in 15.3 memorable overs.

36th over: India 120-4 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 4, Yuvraj 9) "To follow up on Alex Patmore's introduction to cricket in Japan, may I offer you a welcome to Swedish cricket," says Dan MacDonald. "I play for the Stockholm team SACS (Swedish T20 champions last year dontcha know). We're always looking for new players – sacs-cricket.info – and you can also catch the Swedish National Team in ICC Div. 2 action next summer, since the tournament will be taking place in England."

35th over: India 119-4 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 4, Yuvraj 8) Anderson comes on for the excellent Finn (9-4-20-1) and finds a bit of reverse swing to Kohli. A maiden. "Has a batsman ever been dropped for poor running?" says Raakesh Natraj. "Gambhir's certainly made a case for himself."

34th over: India 119-4 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 4, Yuvraj 8) Yuvraj helps a poor delivery from Swann to fine leg for four and then drives beautifully down the ground for another boundary. It's been a breathless afternoon session, but now it's time for drinks.

"Morning from the snowy Netherlands," says Anand. "I am a bit surprised that everyone is complaining about the right decision being made in Gambhir's case after umpire referral. I thought that was what the world wanted and just when N Srini introduced his version of the umpire referral, everyone complains. :)" You were doing so well until that smiley.

33rd over: India 111-4 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 4, Yuvraj 0) Kohli gets off the mark with a princely square drive for four off Finn – and now he's dropped by Bell at short square leg! It's unlike Bell to miss those, even though it was well timed by Kohli. He reached to his left and couldn't hang on. Two balls later Kohli survives a huge shout for LBW. Kumar Dharmasena took a long time to decide, at least five seconds. It hit Kohli on the back leg but, as ever with Finn, height was an issue. It was extremely close though, and probably would have trimmed the bails. Finn is steaming in here.

32nd over: India 107-4 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Kohli 0, Yuvraj 0) Adam Mountford, the producer of TMS, has tweeted that "Non DRS match regulations allow for umpires to ask if ball was hit even if they are only checking for a low catch." In which case, all is fine and dandy with the Gambhir reprieve. It doesn't seem right, though, that you can check if a batsman hit it or not. If that's the case, why couldn't they check Panesar's inside edge earlier? Why can you check for catches but not LBWs? I'm boring myself now. Let's move on.

WICKET! India 107-4 (Tendulkar c Trott b Swann 5) Never mind the DRS fuss, England are running riot! Tendulkar feels for a non-spinning, lifting delivery from Swann and edges it straight to Trott at slip. England's response to a poor morning session has been quite magnificent.

31st over: India 103-3 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Tendulkar 1, Kohli 0) India's fate is in the hands of superstars present and future, Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.

"It looks like DRS has been wheeled out to save India," says Andrew Hurley. "How convenient. This is disgusting, it wouldn't happen anywhere else." I do wonder if we're missing something that would explain the decision. If not, it's a scandal, and the fact Gambhir is out doesn't change that. The fact it was morally the correct decision is an irrelevance. It might have been LBW for a start.

WICKET! India 103-3 (Gambhir c Prior b Finn 40) Not even the third umpire can overrule this one! Finn, who has bowled beautifully, strikes with a wide, swinging delivery that tempts Gambhir into a very loose drive. It flies off the edge to the left of Matt Prior, who moves smartly to take a good two-handed catch. The third umpire does try to save Gambhir, checking for the no-ball, but Finn was fine and Gambhir has gone.

29th over: India 98-2 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 36, Tendulkar 0) Is this another wicket? Gambhir pushed at Swann, who went up for the LBW, but as he did so Trott took a low catch at slip and set off in celebration. The umpires went upstairs, presumably to check if it carried, which it did – but Gambhir did not hit it. The problem is that the third umpire cannot overrule on that; his only remit is to determine whether it carried. Gambhir has been not out. This is really controversial. Surely the third umpire can only rule on whether it carried? It appears the third umpire may have taken the law into his hands. Ultimately it's the right decision – Gambhir didn't hit it – although that's not the point. Unless we're missing something really obvious, which can't be ruled out, England have been stitched up there. You can't have the third umpire making it up as he goes along.

29th over: India 98-2 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 36, Tendulkar 0) Sachin Tendulkar is the new batsman.

WICKET! India 98-2 (Pujara run out 8) Climie Fisher were wrong: it's the dismissal of Sehwag that changes everything. India scored at four an over with him at the crease; they've scored at 1.5 per over since his dismissal – and now the pressure has told with a brilliant run out from Ian Bell! Gambhir tucked Finn to leg and set off. Bell, running round from midwicket, picked up and demolished the stumps with the diving Pujara fractionally short of his ground. That was an outstanding piece of work from Bell.

28th over: India 98-1 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 36, Pujara 8) Swann is bowling really well here, and skids a delivery straight past Pujara's outside edge.

"I wonder if Paul Walsh has got to the ground yet and ejected the oiks I can see sitting in his seat?" says Simon Brereton. "Morning Rob." Non-linear emails. What a great idea. Maybe we could have MementOBOs, with entries like this:

Even so, it was a gorgeous piece of bowling. It's a huge breakthrough for England to dismiss Virender Sehwag, and it was a beautiful delivery. Graeme Swann has struck with the first ball of the session! Sehwag actually lost control of the bat, with one hand coming off it. Tossed up and turning through the gate to hit the outside of off stump as Sehwag lunged into a woolly drive.

27th over: India 97-1 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 35, Pujara 8) There's an inevitable post-Sehwag lull, with Finn bowling a third consecutive maiden. One ball pops from a length, forcing Gambhir to pull the bottom hand out of the way. There's also a pretty big shout for LBW against Gambhir, but it was surely sliding down from around the wicket.

26th over: India 96-1 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 35, Pujara 8) "My name is Alex Patmore and first I'd like to say thank you for yesterday's three mentions of Japan cricket, but today I was hoping to link the current England side to cricket in the far east," says the very polite Alex Patmore. "Thanks to my Japanese mother I am also a member of the Japan national men's team (it's there on Cricinfo), but before coming to Tokyo for work I played in Sheffield for a number of years with Joe Root at Sheffield Collegiate CC, batting together on numerous occasions. Last year we put on 97 for the fsecond wicket in one game, narrowly missing out on the first (I think) century partnership between Japan and (future) England internationals in Yorkshire League cricket. If he needs any advice on the pressure cooker environment of international cricket (Japan finished third in this years ICC World Cricket League Div8) I think he knows who to call. (I also introduced Joe to sushi for the first time – he now loves it.)" Hang on, look at the opposition. John Major? Dave Brent?

25th over: India 96-1 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 35, Pujara 8) A maiden from Finn to Gambhir.

24th over: India 96-1 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 35, Pujara 8) I've missed an over from Finn. In other news, Pujara gives Swann the charge and scuffs a drive fractionally wide of the diving Cook at short midwicket. India have clearly decided to go after England's spinners, and later in the over Pujara drives classily through extra cover for four.

22nd over: India 86-1 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 33, Pujara 4) Pujara inside-edges his second ball in the air but wide of short leg. That would have gone straight to short square leg. A wicket maiden from Swann.

"Mr Mukharjee, the groundsman has to be thanked for a real sporting wicket," says Krishan Patel. "This wicket has something in it for everybody. The batters aren't clueless while the bowlers have some juice in the wicket as well. Think we need to see some reverse magic from Anderson in the post-lunch session to have any hope."

WICKET! India 86-1 (Sehwag b Swann 49) Graeme Swann has struck with the first ball of the session! It's a huge breakthrough for England to dismiss Virender Sehwag, and it was a beautiful delivery: tossed up and turning through the gate to hit the outside of off stump as Sehwag lunged into a woolly drive. Sehwag actually lost control of the bat, with one hand coming off it. Even so, it was a gorgeous piece of bowling.

LUNCH

21st over: India 86-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 33, Sehwag 49) Panesar will bowl the last over of the session. Gambhir gives him the charge and drives handsomely over wide mid-on for six. That prompts a rush of blood to the head and a heave that is draggedjust wide of the diving Compton at short midwicket. He ends the session by swiping Monty back over his head for four more. It's been a perfect morning for India, who took the last four wickets in no time and then reduced the deficit to 121 with some exhilarating batting. Bit by bit – or rather biff by biff – they are dragging themselves back in this game. Brilliant stuff. See you in half an hour for the afternoon session.

20th over: India 76-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 23, Sehwag 49) This is getting pretty ominous for England. Sehwag tonks Swann for consecutive boundaries, the first a cut and the second a mighty slog sweep.

19th over: India 66-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 22, Sehwag 40) Dear Mr Santa, stop buggering about with that sleigh and bring us a wicket please. Good lad. Love and hugs, the OBO.

18th over: India 65-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 22, Sehwag 39) Oof. That's the first sign of misbehaviour in this innings, with Swann spitting a corking delivery past Gambhir's outside edge. That bounced viciously.

17th over: India 63-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 21, Sehwag 38) Panesar has switched to the High Court End. He was in dudgeon after that LBW from Kumar Dharmsena earlier, and now he is at Dharmasena's end. Sehwag, who is now dealing in boundaries and strolled singles, takes the latter to the cover sweeper.

"I've spent my Friday night in the university library labouring away on an essay that won't be finished any time soon with the cricket on," says Sam Robinson. Bloody students, eh, working diligently in the library on a Friday night.

16th over: India 61-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 20, Sehwag 37) Swann does switch ends, and his first ball is slog-swept for four by Sehwag. He tries the same stroke next up; this time the ball keeps low and goes through Prior's legs for four byes. This is fascinating stuff. Sehwag, who played carefully for an hour, is ticking now.

"REDRUM," says Paul Connolly. "So, now that you've brought up 'The Shining', which was so called because of a lyric from the John Lennon song, are you saying Ishant Sharma's going to get you?"

15th over: India 52-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 20, Sehwag 32) Samit Patel has come on to replace Graeme Swann, although it's probably a solitary over to allow the spinners to change ends. His first ball, as usual, is a full toss that Sehwag smears for four. Get that filth out of my sight. A single to long on brings up an excellent fifty partnership, and there are nine from the over. India aren't too far from being back in this game. Surely, 11 years later, we're not going to get another Eden Gardens miracle?

"Back on the stairs but at least we've now located a key with the cleaner," says Paul Walsh. "But it'll take time to get here! Ugh."

14th over: India 43-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 18, Sehwag 25) India are milking the spinners pretty comfortably at the moment, and there hasn't been any significant bounce or turn for the spinners. We haven't seen their average speeds so I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

"My Friday night in Johannesburg was much like every other," says Stuart Wilson. "Contrary to what readers might think, this didn't involve being shot at, mugged and dancing with Zulus. It consisted of drinking terrible beer, watching ancient episodes of QI (there is nothing else on) and going to bed at nine for a hot and uncomfortable night's sleep. However I have still shimmied out of bed at 5.30 this morning to watch England's slide to loss and despondency."

13th over: India 40-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 16, Sehwag 24) "Friday night was good for me too," says Sam Valentine. "I spent it drinking homebrew bitter in the shadow of Eden Gardens and am now feeling very much the worse for wear at work in Kolkata, hoping that, as the sole Englishman in my office, the mockery I've doled out to my sullen Indian colleagues doesn't come back to bite me… Meanwhile, two miles away, my wife-to-be who recently met the England team without knowing who any of them were and best man are lording it up pitch-side, respectively dressed as a hungover lady and beefeater. Where's the justice?"

12th over: India 36-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 13, Sehwag 23) Sehwag has a twinge in his left knee and winces through for a single. With no runners allowed any more, he might be more inclined than ever to just stand and Gordon Greenidge it. Now Gambhir has been dropped! Well, not really dropped. He turned Panesar to leg off the face of the bat, and the ball hit the short leg Ian Bell on the arm before he could react. Bell is a magnificent short leg but he had a reaction time of around 0.00000000000000001 seconds there.

"OK," says Paul Connelly. "I'll call your bluff. I'm willing to say I fancy chasing 150 on a fifth-day pitch. I'll also say Adelaide if you want. Adelaide, Adelaide." REDRUM.

11th over: India 32-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 12, Sehwag 20) Graeme Swann replaces Anderson, who bowled better than figures of 5-1-18-0 suggest. He has a slip, short leg and short extra cover for Gambhir, who gets well forward in defence. A maiden.

10th over: India 32-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 12, Sehwag 20) England were never going to go through India like a dose of salts as they did at Mumbai, so this becomes a game of patience now that Gambhir and Sehwag have got in. I don't think England's bowlers have done much wrong so far; it's been accomplished cricket from both sides. Who needs a drink? The players, that's who.

"Good morning from Guangzhou," says Tom Carver. "Stinking cold: tick; hangover from Christmas party: tick; cricket on TV: tick; cricket on the radio: tick; cricket on OBO: tick. Marvellous. As an aside, I was trying to find the right word to describe Cook's batting earlier on and my wife hit the nail on the head when she said he bats like a German. Imagine Schumacher batting and you have our Cookie. Not flash. Not fancy. Ruthless efficiency." Yes, that's a nice description. Although Cook has added some flourishes to his game, not least those lazy straight sixes off the spinners.

9th over: India 30-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 11, Sehwag 19) Anderson's got a cob on, not unreasonably, and digs in a good short ball that Sehwag gloves round the corner. So, whABUDHABIo fancies chasing 150 on a fifABUDHABIABUDHABIth-day pitcIBAHDUBAh?

8th over: India 27-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 11, Sehwag 16) Monty comes on for the eighth over of the innings. It'll be interesting to see his pace in this innings, as it seems the important thing for spinners on this pitch is to bowl the ball pretty slowly. Monty seems to have sussed that out, with a few deliveries in the low 50s. An otherwise decent over is ruined by a last-ball full toss that Gambhir eases through extra cover for four.

7th over: India 21-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 6, Sehwag 15) England have missed a great chance to dismiss Sehwag. He edged an excellent delivery from Anderson between Swann and Cook at second and first slip. Neither got there and it hurried away for four. That was Swann's catch, but he was really slow to get down to his left. Cook could also have taken it, although his was the trickier chance. The next ball is a poor one from the understandably aggrieved Anderson, a leg-stump half-volley, and Sehwag takes care of business with a roll of the wrists.

"Friday night was good, party at the British High Commission in Kolkata with local live band the Supersonics," says Paul Walsh. "Up early for rugby practice on the maidan, rushed home for tickets to enjoy a day with the Barmy Army at Eden Gardens ... but ... am now sitting on the stairs of my flat as I have managed to lock myself out, tickets inside ... disaster!" Crikey, that's a shocker. How long before you can get into the flat?

6th over: India 13-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 6, Sehwag 7) This is excellent cricket from both teams. England's new-ball bowlers have been right on their game from the start; India's openers have respected the quality of the bowling and been very solid in defence.

"Friday night involved a trip to Asda for Rice Crispies and toilet roll and now up and hoping TMS can soothe the baby back to sleep," says Jon Fortune. "Asking what OBOers get up to on a Friday night? You've opened a dull can of worms there." Yes, I may have ever so slightly misjudged the audience.

5th over: India 12-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 6, Sehwag 6) Gambhir plays an absent-minded cut at Anderson and is beaten. The pressure is building, with just two runs from the last three overs. 
In other news, some essential reading here: a superb interview with former Test cricketer Ricky Ponting.

"Cook looks like he was a pretty punchable kid," goodwills Mac Millings. "Is that a terrible thing to say? I am a teacher."

4th over: India 11-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 6, Sehwag 5) Sehwag, fishing outside off, is beaten by a good one from Finn. England are getting a fraction of movement, no more, but their line and length have been really good thus far.

"Friday night was good," says Chris Langmead. "Nothing like drinking too much fizzy disco juice with a load of otherwise highly respectable professors and scientists. My 2am finish was tame compared to my colleagues who were still up at 6am. However, we are currently all sat in a lecture theatre on Melbourne trying desperately to concentrate on important scientific matters – though one of us is on OBO, obviously..."

3rd over: India 10-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 6, Sehwag 4) England are bowling noticeably straight in this innings, which you'd expect on a pitch like this, especially with the uneven bounce. Gambhir plays out a maiden from Anderson, who has started excellently.

"Forget Alastair 'Braceface' Cook," says Danielle Tolson. "On the subject of feeling old: this – a 'Freaks and Geeks' reunion, with photos.
Also, on a personal and seasonal note, still being able to name every member of Band Aid when I see the video for 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'"

We're all for diversity at the Guardian, so if anyone under the age of 140 is reading, please do send us an email!

2nd over: India 10-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 6, Sehwag 4) So, Sehwag. He's only scored one second-innings century in his Test career; this would be a very decent time to double that. If he's still there at the close, an Indian win will be a possibility. He gets going with a boundary fourth ball, opening the face to steer Finn through the vacant fourth-slip area. A good over from Finn nonetheless; Anderson and Finn have hit their straps straight away, and the last delivery bounces sharply past Sehwag's nose.

"Too cold to go downstairs to turn on the cricket so got to love Sky Go on the mobile accompanied by OBO," says Dave Forrest. "Just been clearing out our spare room and came across Is It Cowardly For Rain (which of course was retained). Marvellous reading seven years on and a perfect complement to getting two sets of Ashes tickets this week. Great that Mitchell J is bowling himself back into the team – the Barmy Army must be salivating at two shite Aussie left armers called Mitchell to abuse!" When Mitchell Starc takes 72 wickets across ten Ashes Tests next year, Dave Forrest's address will be available on request.

1st over: India 6-0 (trailed by 207 on first innings; Gambhir 6, Sehwag 0) Jimmy Anderson's first ball of the innings swings in nicely to Gautam Gambhir, who times it superbly through square leg for four. Anderson's hands went straight to his head, because if Gambhir missed that he was plumb. The next ball goes straight on past the outside edge. England would put their dignity on eBay for a couple of new-ball wickets. A fine first over from Anderson.

"That photo is seriously depressing," says Robert Ellson. "It's like discovering that Paul McCartney was 27 when the Beatles broke up. I'm 37 and have 0,000 Test runs to my name and 0 classic songs. So thanks for that."

INNINGS BREAK

WICKET! England 523 all out (Panesar LBW b Ashwin 0) Monty goes first ball, LBW to Ashwin. I'm not sure about this decision but well, who cares? I thought it was going down leg; it wasn't, but there was a big inside edge and that's a poor decision from the otherwise excellent Kumar Dharmasena. Oh well, nobody died. England's lead is 207.

WICKET! England 523-9 (Anderson c Sehwag b Ashwin 9) R Ashwin strikes with his second ball of the day. Flight, turn, bounce and a simple edge from Anderson to slip. That turned a fair way.

167th over: England 523-8 (in reply to India's 316; Finn 4, Anderson 9) These two might as well give it some humpty. When Zaheer offers a touch of width, Anderson larrups a swaggering cover drive for four. "What a shot!" says Bumble. "The Burnley Lara!" That was a beautiful stroke, and he times the next ball through midwicket for three more.

"Morning Rob, been lovely following the third test on OBO from Shanghai when wi-fi allows," says Matthew Valentine. "I'm wondering if now's the time to crawl the archive blogs from the last home Pakistan series when the Cookie monster was Asif and Amir's bunny for a public naming and shaking of all those contributors who wanted him dropped." I think, in fairness, almost all of those who wanted him dropped were advocating a little break to freshen up him up mentally and technically rather than a long-term banishment. And he did struggle terribly in that series. Even now he sometimes struggles against the moving ball, which is a strange thing to say for such an amazing batsman. The lovely thing about Cook is that, whatever the problem, he works it out in the end.

166th over: England 516-8 (in reply to India's 316; Finn 4, Anderson 2) "Doesn't Finn look like an elongated Michael Vaughan under that lid?" says Harry Tuttle. "It's the cheekbones." Good spot.

165th over: England 515-8 (in reply to India's 316; Finn 4, Anderson 1) "You want Friday night excitement, Bob?" chirps Mac Millings. "You've come to the right place. Mrs. Millings finished her exams today, so she went out for drinks with her friends. I stayed at home with the kids and parented, by which I mean we watched the first half or so of the original Karate Kid. The two older kids fell asleep, so the baby and I watched the first episode of season 4 of Peep Show. Apparently it turns rubbish in about two episodes' time, so I've got that to look forward to. Wife came home and went straight to bed. Baby's still awake. Your ones of readers have any advice on that count? Also, do you wish you'd never asked?" On the contrary, I want to know more. I need to know more. What colour underpants are you wearing? Assuming you're wearing some, and if you're not please don't reply to this and please don't ever contact me again.

WICKET! England 510-8 (Prior c Dhoni b Zaheer 41) Now Prior has gone! This is a great start for India, which keeps their slim chance of victory alive. Prior tried to glide a ball from Zaheer that was a bit too close even for that stroke, and MS Dhoni took a good tumbling catch. That's his 200th catch in Tests. England lead by 194.

164th over: England 510-7 (in reply to India's 316; Prior 41, Finn 0)Steven Finn has been promoted ahead of Jimmy Anderson. He can hang about, as he showed against Pakistan in 2010 when he helped Prior to a century, but he can also give it some humpty. For now he settles for careful defence.

"Thought I'd get in nice and early so you at least had one e-mail to read to start your day," says Jonny Hodgetts. "I've never been one to put sportsmen up on a pedestal and have had few sporting heroes but one thing they've had in common (Steven Redgrave, the '88 GB hockey team) is that they're older than me. Now, with the rise of Cook, I fear I may have to regress 25 years and stick a poster up on my wall. I hope Jacques Kallis plays forever...."

WICKET! England 510-7 (Swann c Sehwag b Ojha 21) That didn't take long. Graeme Swann has gone to the second ball of the day, caught at slip as he attempted to drive a nice, flighted delivery from Pragyan Ojha that turned enough to take the edge.

Somewhere in the world, it's 3.21am on Saturday morning. Good Friday night? Give me some vicarious excitement here. Because of this cricket I've only had one Friday night in a month.

Preamble Morning. The calendar says December 2012 but this could easily be the winter of 2010-11. Alastair Cook is scoring runs in industrial quantities and England, attempting to win a series away to their opponents for the first time since the mid-80s, are dominating Test matches with a simple game plan: bowl the hosts out for a below-par total, rack up a big one themselves and then get to work again with the turning, reverse-swinging ball. As cunning plans go, it's a level or two above Baldrick.

England will resume on 509 for six, a lead of 193, with the wonderful Matt Prior on 40 and Graeme Swann on 21. Victory is far from certain – nobody really knows how difficult batting will be with in the third innings – but England are in a seriously good position. Their performance thus far has been immaculate.