England’s aspirations of pushing for a series-levelling victory dwindled as India mounted a spirited comeback on the third day of the fourth Test in Ranchi. Despite starting the day 134 runs behind with only three first-innings wickets remaining, India, through resilient lower-order batting and exceptional spin bowling, reversed the tide. Ending the day at 40-0 in pursuit of 192 for an unassailable 3-1 series lead, India showcased determination.

Wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel’s crucial 90, aided by partnerships with Kuldeep Yadav and Akash Deep, propelled India to 307. England’s off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, at 20 years and 135 days, became the second-youngest England bowler to secure a five-wicket haul in Test cricket with figures of 5-119.

England’s slim lead of 46 runs became crucial as India’s spinners, particularly Ravichandran Ashwin (5-51) and Kuldeep Yadav (4-22), exploited the challenging conditions, restricting the visitors to 145. Zak Crawley’s 60 and Jonny Bairstow’s resilient 30 stood out.

In the brief 25-minute period before close, India aggressively scored at five runs an over, with captain Rohit Sharma (24) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (16) setting a positive tone. England faces a daunting task on the fourth morning to keep the series alive.

Despite the commendable performances of England’s Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley with the ball, India’s trio of spinners exploited the challenging conditions effectively.

The vibrant and boisterous crowd, the largest of the Test series, reveled in the anticipation with each delivery turning into a significant moment. There’s a valid argument that England may not have been assertive enough, evidenced by the tame dismissals of Ben Duckett, Ben Stokes, and Jonny Bairstow. Admittedly, these were the most challenging batting conditions faced by England throughout the tour.

With a run-rate of 2.69, England’s scoring pace was notably sluggish, marking their slowest since Ben Stokes took over as captain. The majority of the 53.5 overs in their second innings were bowled by India’s spinners, who capitalized on the sharp turn and unpredictable bounce.

Initiating the bowling attack with the spin duo of Joe Root and Tom Hartley, the latter struggled with his line, being repeatedly dispatched to the boundary by Rohit Sharma.

As India heads into Monday as the favorites to secure the series, England will be optimistic about utilizing the pitch conditions to transform the fifth Test in Dharamsala into a decider.

Ashwin’s five-wicket haul was his 35th in Tests, equally Anil Kumble’s record for the most by an India bowler

England’s momentum dwindled as they faced a formidable fightback from India on day three of the fourth Test in Ranchi.

Starting Sunday 134 runs behind with just three first-innings wickets remaining, India showcased a determined lower-order resistance and exceptional spin bowling to turn the match around. Dhruv Jurel’s pivotal 90, accompanied by crucial partnerships with Kuldeep Yadav and Akash Deep, propelled the hosts to 307. Despite Shoaib Bashir’s impressive 5-119, India set themselves a target of 192, ending the day at 40-0.

England’s second innings saw Zak Crawley’s stylish 60 and Jonny Bairstow’s resilient 30, but the spin prowess of Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav limited the visitors to 145. With an England lead of 46, India’s spinners dominated on a challenging pitch, leaving the series hanging in the balance.

As India begins Monday as favorites, England hopes to mount a quick comeback to keep the series alive, with the pitch conditions potentially playing a crucial role in the fifth Test in Dharamsala.

England bowler Shoaib Bashir expressed his gratitude for his five-wicket haul, dedicating the achievement to his late grandads, passionate Test cricket enthusiasts. Despite the late wickets eluding England, Bashir acknowledged the challenging pitch, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the game.

Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin, speaking on TNT Sports, expressed his enjoyment of bowling with the new ball and praised the team’s phenomenal character. He highlighted Kuldeep’s brilliance and lauded Jurel’s defensive skills and composure in just his second Test, providing a significant lift to the dressing room.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan noted India’s ability to dominate crucial days, potentially securing the Test and the series. Vaughan also observed the significant impact of England’s bad days on the overall outcome.