Alastair Cook and Haseeb Hameed ensured there is no way India are going to win this first Test match, barring a near-unbelievable collapse from England on day five morning in Rajkot. With an unbeaten opening partnership, Cook and Hameed snuffed out any hopes India might have had of making a game of it, while also leaving a possible England win open.
R Ashwin had batted brilliantly on day four to take India to within 49 runs of England's total, but once the away side came out to bat in the second innings, any chances of an India win ended by the time stumps were called on day four, with all ten of the England wickets intact.
Cook and Hameed were largely untroubled against the India bowlers. While there is turn and bounce, it is not quite as alarming as some of the other pitches in India, with the batsmen afforded more than enough time to make the adjustment, more often than not.
Unless the wicket changes dramatically, England might choose not to even declare their innings, because they will be mindful of keeping their bowlers fresh for the second Test in Visakhapatnam later this week.
However, if the pitch does start to do something, make the life of the batsmen difficult – it is day five after all – then Cook might have a rethink and possibly give India the last two sessions to bat.
So far, this Test match has been all about the batsmen – England scored 537 runs in the first innings and India replied with 488 – but the bowlers will hope and pray they have some work to do on the final day of this Test match.
Unlikely it does seem, though, because the pitch looks just too hard for it to change overnight. There might be something in it for the pace bowlers in the morning and the odd ball will cause a problem to the batsmen, but largely, this Test match looks like ending up a draw.
Strange things happen in Test match cricket, however, and you never know, Rajkot on Sunday, might just throw up another one.
Where to Watch Live
Day 5 of the first India vs England Test match is scheduled for a 9.30am IST (4am GMT, 11am ET) start. Live Streaming and TV information is below.
India: TV: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 3, Star Sports HD1, Star Sports HD3. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
UK: TV: Sky Sports 2. Live Streaming: Watch Sky Sports and Sky Go.
US and Canada: TV: Willow TV. Live Streaming: Willow TV Online.
New Zealand: TV: Sky Sport 2. Live Streaming: Sky Go NZ.
Middle East: TV: OSN Sports Cricket. Live Streaming: OSN Cricket Live.
Australia: TV: Fox Sports 2. Live Streaming: Foxtel.
