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This is a wonderful initiative for a brilliant player and, more importantly, a good man. For those who never saw him, he was so special. So talented, one of our best, so widely loved by the fans. I hope this becomes an annual day, he deserves it. Rest in peace, Graham. ✝️

How long did his massages last? How many fresh pairs of gloves does he need per innings? How long did Pant's frequent injury/drinks breaks last? Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Someone's feeling the strain. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

My TL informs me that the morning session didn't go to plan. Fear not. I've just switched on the tele and first ball I've seen, Rahul has nicked Woakes to slip. You're welcome. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

Oh, Shubman. There are two types of leave. After a gluttonous start to the series, he's having a quiet spell. What a boost pre-tea. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

Ben Stokes' bowling has been so potent this summer - one of his best summers for some time: 16 wkts at 26 apiece. Stokes has gotten himself into great shape and his surgeon should be on the King's Birthday Honours List. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

England got the ball talking earlier today, with Stokes (5-72) looking especially lethal. You fancied India would do similarly and cause trouble. But the England openers have feasted on wayward bowling, racing along at 5RPO. I think we've won a session today. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

Ben Duckett wouldn't have made a successful missionary priest. He doesn't always convert. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

Today is the most important day of the series thus far. Last night the bowlers were bludgeoned and a platform set; today, we can take it away from them. Bat well, England, bat all day for a healthy, imposing lead and a golden opportunity to win the series. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

Significant personal moments for Root today, pressing home England's position. A fabulous 38th Test hundred, he's now second on the all-time run scorers list, passing Dravid, Kallis and Ponting. One more man to usurp. For a team game, cricket can be deeply personal. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

Since 1 January 2021, Root's stats are incredible: • 60 Tests • 5550+ runs at 57 • 21 centuries Spectacular form by a modern day giant. Pleasingly, it's also form that echoes the careers of some historical giants of this island. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Bat on in the morning, push the lead to 250, see if Stokes can break his century drought. Grind the Indian bowlers into the dust, because the next Test is just days away. With some variable bounce and well rested bowlers, go full throttle for a series win. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

An excellent 14th Test century for Stokes on a personally cathartic morning. He's also joined an elite club of players with 7,000 Test runs and 200 Test wickets: • Sobers, Kallis, Stokes. Rare company. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

This Gill/Rahul p'ship has been simply excellent and has given India hope of getting to the capital still alive in the series. Brought together at 0-2, they've been a picture of defiance and have batted very well. England may well grimace. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

The Oval Test starts Thursday. Does anyone believe this attack can line up again then? Woakes/Carse look spent and I'd hesitate before playing Archer three in a row. Atkinson/Tongue recalls please. Lancs' Chief Exec has won this week. Shake hands, rest up. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

India batted extremely well today and were great value for the draw. As others have pointed out, I do agree their pluck reflects poorly on England's Birmingham rearguard. England have evolved, but 0-2 and 300 behind? We'd have been shot out for 150. Lessons to learn. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

The confected outrage tonight amid hysterical tweets is baffling. India batted brilliantly, and were within their rights to refuse a handshake to secure hundreds. England didn't want to flog their front line bowlers cheaply to allow milestones. Why is there a rumpus? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

Amid the thirst for bowling changes, we're 2-1 up and just need to avoid a loss. The pitches have been flat, so let's just pick this XI: Crawley, Duckett, Sibley, Root, Haines, Brook, Rew, Stokes, Smith, Simpson, Bethell. Get through that lot twice 😉 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

It's coming: this time next week. The premier August comp. A few MBF road trips are already in my diary 😃

A disgraceful display. Gambhir knows that losing 0-3 at home to 🇳🇿 and losing away in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 could end in his dismissal. He's lost 8 in 12 Tests: thin ice and he knows it. Roles reversed, the BCCI would want the Ambassador to be summoned. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳

I think that's a fifth Champo hundred for Rehan Ahmed this season. Timing his run of form to perfection? 🇦🇺 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿