India vs England – 4th Test – Live Cricket Score and Match Update

England kept their noses in front after their bowlers restricted India to 87 for 4 on an eventful second day of the ongoing fourth and final Test, played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur, on December 14, 2012.


James Anderson again starred for his side as he cleaned up Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, before accounting for Gautam Gambhir, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli fended the last 10 overs to remain unbeaten on 8 and 11 respectively.

However, the day arguably belonged to England, despite starting on an even platform. The first session yielded two wickets for the hosts even though Matt Prior and Joe Root extended their stand beyond 100.

The former reached his half-century before losing his stumps to Ravichandran Ashwin, after which Tim Bresnan was caught lbw for a duck by Ishant Sharma. Nonetheless, it did not hinder Root to impress everyone with his approach. The youngster had reached his fifty during Prior’s stay but became more proactive after his senior teammate fell.

Deft touches, paddle sweeps and drives, were all on display as he added a priceless stand of 60 with Graeme Swann. Swann’s knock arguably lifted the team’s spirit and further derailed the opponents. His counter attacking approaching helped him make his fifth career Test fifty, which included the only two sixes of the innings.

Just as England were destined to run away, Piyush Chawla offered his side hope. The leg-spinner took a return catch to dismiss Root, before accounting for Swann and last-man James Anderson.

England still would have been content with their first innings tally of 330, which ended just before tea. That allowed them a fair crack at the Indian openers and James Anderson firmly closed the closed session in their favour after he took out Virender Sehwag in the first over with a beautiful inswinger.

The inform Cheteshwar Pujara and Gautam Gambhir got the innings underway on resumption, adding 58 for the second-wicket. However, as often has been the case during the series, Swann struck to give his side the a well-timed breakthrough.

For the English, Pujara’s wicket seemed precious, and that was proved by Anderson, who then easily accounted for Tendulkar (bowled) and Gambhir. However, for the Indians, Tendulkar’s slump will be the main story.  

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