England started the first day of the fourth Test against India full of confidence after taking a 2-1 series lead in Kolkata.
The tourists won the toss but were in trouble when Nick Compton (3) and Alastair Cook (1) were both dismissed by Ishant Sharma early on.
Jonathan Trott (44) and Kevin Pietersen steadied the ship for England in the afternoon but two wickets towards the end of the session allowed India to move into a commanding position.
Pietersen was dismissed for 73 shortly after tea but a promising partnership between Joe Root (31*) and Matt Prior (34*) ensured England reached the close of play without the loss of any more wickets.
Read how events unfolded in Nagpur below.
Good morning. The dust has settled following England's crucial victory in Kolkata and India wait as a nation to see if their heroes can salvage something from this fantastic series. It's the first morning of the fourth Test and Sports Mole will have live updates throughout the day.
We're are awaiting confirmation of team news but reports in Nagpur have suggested that England have made two changes to their side following that win in Kolkata. Tim Bresnan is expected to replace the injured Steven Finn while Joe Root has been tipped to come in for Samit Patel to make his Test debut.
The Indian press were outraged by the national team's performance in Kolkata and some were calling for a new captain while others suggested that the side needed a complete overhaul. There have only been three changes to the squad but failure to win in Nagpur could spell the end for a few of India's big-name players.
Root will play in the Test match and has just received his first England cap from Paul Collingwood while Jadeja's inclusion in the India side has also been confirmed.
So what do we know about England's new boy? Root has been a regular in England's youth sides for a number of years and it has been obvious for some time that the selectors were preparing him for a senior call-up. The 21-year-old averages just over 40 in the County Championship for Yorkshire and played a superb innings of 222* against Hampshire in July in one of the highlights of the domestic season.
This week could be a pivotal one for the Indian setup. Some have tipped this match to be the last in Sachin Tendulkar's glittering career. The great man has suffered in recent times but his impact on the modern game is unquestionable.
How times have changed. Less than a month ago the England team were in apparent disarray following that crushing defeat in Ahmedabad but two spectacular displays later and Alastair Cook's men are on the brink of securing one of their greatest series victories on tour. The toss and full team news is just around the corner.
England win the toss and choose to bat
That's right, you saw that last entry correctly. Alastair Cook has finally won a toss as captain and England will bat on what looks like a very good pitch.
England team: Cook, Compton, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Root, Prior, Bresnan, Swann, Anderson, Panesar
That selection comes as no surprise from England with Bresnan's inclusion now confirmed. Big pressure on Root in his first Test but England have high hopes for the youngster and I promise if you get to see him bat, you will see why he is rated so highly.
England's selection certainly suggests that Cook and Flower were keen to add depth to their batting for this crucial game. Onions could have replaced Finn but Bresnan shortens the tail for the visitors. Patel could have continued but in Root, England have an opening batsman at six.
India: Gambhir, Sehwag, Pujara, Tendulkar, Kohli, Jadeja, Dhoni, Ashwin, Chawla, Sharma, Ojha
So it's Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan who miss out for the hosts. India's team looks packed with spin, with four slower bowlers if you include the all-rounder Jadeja. Dhoni needs his side to have a big first day to take control of this match early on.
Plenty of suggestions that the pitch in Nagpur will reverse swing as the ball gets older, which could suit England, who decided to play two seamers to India's one.
Very few people inside the stadium this morning despite this being such an important game. Is that a sign of Indian fans' hopes of saving this series?
Luck may be on England's side in Nagpur. The toss looked a big one to win and this pitch is beginning to sound like a batsman's paradise.
Cook and Compton have made their way out to the middle and the Indian fielders are putting themselves into the correct places. We're moments away from play.
Sharma will open the bowling for India.
Sharma begins the day with six dot balls but the deliveries are too wide of off stump and are no danger to Cook. Decent start for India and there is already a delay as ground staff come on to fill in some holes on the bowler's run-up.
Ojha will take the new ball from the other end.
Compton uses his feet to nudge the ball down the ground and takes a quick single to get off the mark. Good running from England's opening pair. Cook tries to find the gap at mid-wicket thee times but Kohli does well to keep the touring captain on zero.
Compton hands Cook the strike at the start of Sharma's new over with a clip to square-leg. Sharma is finding a nice line and there's signs of uneven bounce early on here. Once again, Cook can't pick the gap and it's just a single from the over.
Ojha hurries through another and has found a good length early in his spell but Compton appears to be confident in defence, blocking five balls before keeping the strike with a single to mid-off from the final delivery.
Wicket! Compton (3) c Dhoni b Sharma
Sharma starts a new over by delivering a short ball that fails to bounce high enough to cause Compton problems. However, the next bouncer has the same batsman feeling for the ball and he offers a simple catch to Dhoni. Big breakthrough for India!
Trott is the new batsman for England and he almost edges his second ball to Dhoni to encourage some excitement from the Indian fielders. It's a wicket maiden, great over from Sharma.
Compton didn't need to play at the delivery which has sent him on his way. There is definitely some uneven bounce, though.
Cook eventually finds the gap at mid-wicket, flicking the ball to Tendulkar in the deep for a single. Good work from Trott to guide the ball past Ojha to find a single to mid-on. Two from the over and it's obvious that this pitch is going to be very slow.
Beautiful shot from Trott as he drives Sharma straight down the ground for the first boundary of the day. A wide delivery tempts Trott into a false shot but luckily for the England batsman, there's no edge. Good response from Sharma as he delivers five consecutive dot balls following the boundary.
Ojha is over the wicket to Cook but the England's skipper knows his game well outside off stump and defends well. Tentative start from England this morning, maiden over.
Ojha does well at fine leg to restrict Trott to a couple of runs following a flick of the thigh pad. There's a beauty from Sharma later in the over and he thinks he has Trott lbw but Kumar Dharmasena shakes his head, suggesting that the ball hit the pads outside the line of off stump. On replay, it looks close and Trott may feel he was a bit lucky there. Two runs and a leg bye from the over.
Nice shot from Trott at the beginning of a new Ojha over as he sweeps a full delivery past fine leg for four runs. Plenty of variations shown by India's left-arm spinner but Trott safely sees out the over.
Wicket! Cook (1) lbw b Sharma
It's the big wicket for India! Cook is dismissed by Sharma but it looks a poor decision from Dharmasena with the ball looking as though it would have missed off stump. India are given a gift but that's reward for good pressure this morning.
Sharma starts with a bouncer but Pietersen misjudges the length and has to quickly readjust to push the ball to safety. The new batsman keeps the strike with a single to fine leg.
That decision from Dharmasena gets worse every time you see it. It hit Cook outside the line of off stump and the ball wasn't close to going on to hit the stumps. Cook will be bitterly disappointed.
Pietersen will use his feet early in his innings but his attempts to hit Ojha down the ground are halted by a good stop from the spinner. A half-stop from Gambhir at cover allows Pietersen to rush through for a single midway through the over.
Interesting change from Dhoni as he takes off Sharma following the wicket in the last over and brings on Jadeja, who averages just over 26 in first class cricket, for his first bowl of the day.
Pietersen refuses to be pinned down early on as he dances down the pitch to flick the ball through mid-wicket for three runs. Trott finds a single to hand the strike back to his partner and Pietersen ends the over by superbly lofting the ball straight down the ground for four runs. Eight from Jadeja's first over in Test match cricket.
Ojha strays slightly and Trott takes advantage to once again sweep the ball to fine leg to earn four runs. Trott calls for a short single later in the over and Dhoni does well to whip the bails off but Pietersen is clearly safe despite the umpire's decision to ask the third umpire. Time for a drinks break.
Good first over for India. They've had some luck in the form of Cook's dismissal but the bowlers have applied good pressure this morning.
Much better from Jadeja as he begins to find the right length while having an optimistic lbw appeal rejected by the umpire. Trott can't find the gaps in the field and it's a maiden.
Ojha asks the question at the start of a new over but Pietersen gets bat on ball meaning no lbw this time for India. Good work from Ojha though and Pietersen is happy to block out the six balls.
Trott relieves some pressure following two maidens by charging down the pitch to hit the ball straight for four runs. England need this pair to put together a big partnership today. It does look like a pitch that if you get in, the runs will come.
Pietersen stands tall to drive Ojha powerfully but Kohli is alert at cover to prevent any runs being scored. No freedom given to Pietersen at the crease and it's a maiden over.
Jadeja begins a new over with a beauty to beat Trott's outside edge before England's no thrills number three blocks the five deliveries. India are racing through the overs this morning.
The session has gone a bit quiet following the first hour's drama and it's another maiden over from Ojha. England won't want any mistakes before lunch.
Chawla comes on for his first spell and this is the first time he has had the ball in his hands in a Test match for nearly five years. Trott easily collects a single to square leg at the start of the over but good fielding from the bowler prevents Pietersen from finding the boundary rope with a straight drive. Decent start from Chawla.
Jadeja swaps ends to replace Ojha, who finishes a big morning spell. Good over from India's new boy as he keeps Trott pinned to the crease to complete a maiden.
Pietersen charges down the pitch to drive Chawla but mid-on is back and it's just a single. Trott attempts to do the same as his partner but he can't push the ball past Chawla. Just a single from the over.
Jadeja begins the over nicely but an expansive cover drive comes from Pietersen to bring England three runs. Really good pressure from India and this has been a good session for captain Dhoni.
Great shot from Pietersen as he launches the ball over mid-on for four runs and England need a bit more of that as the day progresses. What do you know? England get a bit more as Pietersen repeats the same shot later in the over to earn four more before a cut shot ensures he keeps the strike.
Pietersen shows some good footwork to rock back and cut Jadeja through a vacant area on the off-side to earn another boundary. India need to be careful here, Pietersen is looking increasingly comfortable at the crease.
Chawla has a great looking bowling action and he delivers six good deliveries, causing Trott to block out a maiden over.
Jadeja continues and is lucky when Pietersen hammers a drive straight to Kohli at cover, resulting in a dot ball. Pietersen struggles to pick the gaps and it's another maiden. England are playing a patient game today.
Chawla delivers a slightly wider delivery, allowing Trott to guide the ball through the off-side for three runs. Pietersen decides against playing another big shot towards the end of the over and that brings a smile from the Indian spinner. Dhoni should give Sharma a quick burst before lunch.
It is a bowling change for India but it's Ashwin who comes into the attack for his first spell of the day. There's a single for Pietersen midway through the over as he flicks the ball to long-on for a single. A sweep shot from Trott brings two runs and it's three from Ashwin's first over.
Sharma is back for a new spell as predicted and he almost finds another wicket when Pietersen drags the ball onto his pads. The seamer stays outside off stump for most of the over and good fielding from Pujara at mid-wicket ensures it's a maiden on Sharma's return.
Ashwin finds a bit of extra bounce just outside off stump to Trott but the ball just isn't spinning much on this pitch. Not too much about to trouble Trott and it's a maiden.
Pietersen has to react quickly to keep a low-bouncing ball out at the start of Sharma's new over. A thick edge gives the batsmen a chance to hurry a single before Trott takes evasive action to dodge a bouncer. It's another very good over from Sharma to end the session.
Lunch: A much needed partnership of 45 has helped England to recover following a dreadful start to the day. Sharma's early spell was superb as he claimed the wickets of Compton and Cook, with the latter having every right to feel aggrieved at the decision that led to his downfall. Not much on offer for India's four spinners and they look to be missing an extra seam bowler.
We'll take a quick break during lunch but make sure you stay with Sports Mole as commentary will resume in around 30 minutes.
Welcome back everyone. What have we discovered about this pitch in the morning session? England showed good fight following the loss of those two early wickets and it looks like variable bounce will be the biggest threat to batsmen today. India were brave in selecting four spinners but we haven't seen much spin yet. It's unclear whether the pitch will begin to crack as the game progresses but any dramatic change is unlikely to come until the weekend.
Paul Collingwood on Twitter: "What a privilege it was to present @joeroot05 his test cap this morning, it's something he'll pride for the rest of his life"
The Indian players are currently in a huddle close to the boundary rope as Pietersen and Trott make their way out to the middle.
Ashwin will bowl the first over of the session.
Decent start from Ashwin and he's bowled very slow in the small amount of overs he's had this morning. The spinner does stray on the final ball and Pietersen easily collects a single to fine leg.
Sharma continues and he is finding some reverse swing early on here. Pietersen uses the line to his advantage by clipping the ball onto the leg-side for two runs. Even better from Pietersen later in the over as he whips a full ball through mid-wicket for four runs. Two singles to finish and it's eight from Sharma's over.
Although Sharma seemed to get it wrong in that over, the movement and bounce the seamer is getting suggests that Anderson will enjoy bowling on this pitch.
Good over from Ashwin as he offers Trott no chances to get off strike, maiden. Tendulkar comes in from the deep to have a word with Dhoni, leaving the captain in deep thought.
Too straight from Sharma and Pietersen is off strike with a leg bye. Trott begins to duck a short ball but leaves his bat high to cut the ball to third man for a single in an unorthodox manner. Sharma ends the over well but he's not making the most of the swing available.
Runs for Trott as he shows great balance to drive the ball through a massive space on the off-side for four runs. Ashwin looks like he's just holding up an end at the moment. India may live to regret only playing one seamer.
The slow nature of the pitch means Pietersen can easily pull a Sharma bounce for a single at the beginning of a new over. Slice of luck for Trott as he almost drags the ball onto his own stumps. So close to a wicket for India! Trott rides his luck again as he chips the ball over Pujara at short mid-wicket with the fielder getting a finger on it. Lifeline for Trott and it's three from the over.
Ashwin continues and is taken for a single to fine leg midway through the over by Pietersen. Trott twice attempts to pick the gap at mid-on but Kohli is there to prevent any runs.
Great work from Chawla to stop Pietersen's drive at mid-on but there's no fielder around when the same batsman drills the ball through extra cover for four runs.
It's still Ashwin for the time being and an optimistic lbw appeal is quickly rejected by Rod Tucker with the ball clearly going down leg-side when Trott was struck on the pads. Ashwin offers some width with the final ball of the over and Trott takes advantage to cut the ball in front of point for four runs.
Ojha is back into the attack in place of Sharma. Pietersen flirts with the ball outside off-stump before looking bemused at the pitch. A cut to third man brings three runs but Rod Tucker wants to check with the third umpire that Trott made his ground before Dhoni whipped off the bails...he did.
Fifty for Pietersen! Ashwin struggles to find his length at the start of the over and Pietersen helps himself to four runs with a nudge to fine leg, bringing up a well-earned half century in the process. A single follows for Pietersen before Trott nudges the ball to square leg to keep the strike.
Ojha finds a bit of turn to Trott but a thick outside edge squirms away to safety, much to the relief of England's number three. A mistimed sweep shot has Ojha appealing for lbw but that delivery was clearly missing leg stump. Maiden over.
Jadeja replaces Ashwin and he is living dangerously as he delivers a couple of shorter balls. Pietersen can't find the gaps to punish the bowler though and it's a maiden over.
Ojha continues probe away outside Trott's off stump and the Warwickshire batsman struggles to find any meaningful contact with the bat. It's another maiden but India have not looked threatening for a while now.
Better from Jadeja as he varies his pace to force Pietersen into some movement on the crease. No spin for the all-rounder and Pietersen can leave outside his off-stump.
Ojha just can't seem to get a ball to straighten and when he strays down leg-side, Trott does superbly to sweep the ball through mid-wicket for four runs. It's time for a drinks break.
England will be very happy with their work since lunch. It's been slow but this pair are playing the conditions very well.
Poor from India in the field as an overthrow almost results in a single before a mis-field at mid-off from Chawla at mid-off allows Pietersen to get off strike.
Wicket! Trott (44) b Jadeja
Oh dear Trott, what have you done there? Jadeja's delivery doesn't spin but Trott leaves the ball, only to see it crash into his off stump. It's a first Test wicket for Jadeja and a big breakthrough for India. Ian Bell in next.
Bell survives his first two balls. It was going to take a mistake to bring India a wicket and that's a big error from Trott after all the hard work he had done this morning.
Pietersen charges down the pitch to Ojha and has four runs with a punch through mid-wicket. Too wide from Ojha but there is a hint of spin outside off-stump.
Bell is off the mark with a flick off the pads for a single at the start of Jadeja's over. Plenty of shots being shown by Pietersen but he can only pick out the fielders. A single from the final ball means he keeps the strike.
Ojha races through another over, forcing Pietersen onto the back foot with quicker deliveries and it's a maiden.
Jadeja copies his bowling partner by firing in some quicker balls to Bell. Much better from India but Pietersen is the key figure for England.
Superb shot from Pietersen as he launches the ball into the air on the off-side to earn four runs. Pietersen thinks about a single later in the over but Chawla is alert at mid-on to prevent the run.
Jadeja's increased pace finds the inside edge of Bell but it's too wide to be a threat to the stumps. Good technique shown by the new batsman to block out the rest of the over and it's a maiden.
Sharma is back for a new spell following his unsuccessful stint just after the lunch break. Pietersen almost offers a chance to Pujara at short mid-on as he clips the ball just short of the waiting hands. Sharma finds some reverse swing towards the end of the over but he's met by some stubborn defensive shots.
It's a good over from Jadeja but his hard work is spoiled when he strays to concede four leg byes from the final ball.
Sharma brings the ball into Pietersen nicely throughout the over but he can't find a way through the batsman's defence. A powerful cover drive is well stopped by Pujara and it's a maiden.
Jadeja continues to vary his pace nicely and it's another maiden over, the 24th of this innings. Bell has one from 27 balls.
Chawla begins a new spell and there's a touch of spin for the bowler just outside off stump but not enough to trouble Pietersen. Poor fielding at point allows Pietersen to collect two runs despite India's appeals for a run out, with the third umpire confirming that the Surrey ace made his ground. A poor delivery is cut to deep cover by Pietersen but only for a single.
Wicket! Bell (1) c Kohli b Chawla
Bell's poor series continues as he is dismissed by Chawla. A full delivery looks too inviting for Bell to ignore but he can only chip the ball to Kohli at short cover. England are under a bit of pressure now as Joe Root makes his way to the crease for the first time in Test cricket. Pietersen needs a partner.
Root's first delivery is a quicker delivery but he does well to nudge the ball to safety. India are right back in this game now.
Ojha is back into the attack for India following that wicket but it's Pietersen who is on strike and he easily blocks out the over. England's slow run-rate is coming back to haunt them.
Root is off the mark in nice style with a drive through extra cover for three runs. Pietersen hammers a drive straight at Kohli before getting off strike with a push to point before Root adds another run in the same area. Five from Chawla's over.
Good cricket from Root as he nudges the ball off his pads to easily pick up two runs to square leg before reaching the boundary rope with the first time with a well-placed shot in front of point. One more over left before tea.
Pietersen wants two with push to deep cover and a moment of hesitation from Root almost costs him his wicket but the new boy is safe. Chawla finds Pietersen's inside edge with the googly but the ball squirms away for a single and England's key man will be there in the final session.
Tea: Big session for India and they have moved into a very good position thanks to the wickets of Trott and Bell. Pietersen looks in brilliant form though and Root has started life in test cricket confidently.
England have been punished for the slow scoring earlier in the day and there position is looking slightly precarious at the moment. A big contribution from Root would be very helpful but if Pietersen stays at the crease, England will still be confident.
Sharma was off the field for a while before the end of that last session. No word of an injury and India will be hoping it was just a break for their only seamer.
Two soft dismissals for England in that session. Both Trott and Bell will be disappointed with the way they have gotten out today. Bell, in particular, is in need of a big score.
Bit of breaking news has just been released by the England camp. Stuart Broad will miss the two T20 matches that follow this series and Eoin Morgan will take over as captain.
The players are back out on the field and we're moment away from play. Jadeja will begin a new spell with the ball.
Brilliant start to the session from Pietersen as he stands tall to smash the ball through the covers for four runs. Jadeja then appeals for lbw but it's difficult to tell whether it was bat or pad first and the decision is not out.
Root is off strike with a push to point from Chawla's second ball after tea. Pietersen is also able to take a single to bring Root back into the spotlight but the new boy uses his feet well to block out the rest of the over.
Wicket! Pietersen (73) c Ojha b Jadeja
Massive moment in the Test as Pietersen goes for 73. It's a poor shot as he plays across the line, picking out Ojha, who takes a very good low catch. England in a bit of trouble now as Matt Prior makes his way to the crease.
Prior is off the mark immediately with two runs to third man and a nudge onto the leg-side then brings the new batsman a single. Three runs and a wicket from the over.
England have been the makers if their own downfall today. It hasn't been spinning yet Chawla and Jadeja have been gifted wickets.
Prior rocks onto the back foot to earn a couple in front of point and a leg bye later in the over brings Root on strike. England's latest number six leaves Chawla's final ball. These two must put together a big partnership.
Prior takes the single at the start of Jadeja's new over to bring Root on strike early but his defensive abilities are clear as he opens the face well to defend against the drift.
Once again, Prior takes an early single from Chawla's new over. Root picks the gap well on the leg-side and the England duo run well to add three more to the total. 150 is up for England but they'll need plenty more runs in this innings.
Jadeja is wasting no time during his over as he fires in another six balls. An inside edge from Root results in a single on the leg-side before Prior nudges the ball to square leg to keep the strike.
There isn't a cloud in the sky but the lights have come on in Nagpur due to the shadows closing in on the pitch from the main stand. Good start to the over from Chawla and it looks like the ball may just be starting to turn outside off stump. Brilliant from Prior as he latches onto a wider delivery to drive for four runs through extra cover.
Interesting battle taking place between the two players making their debuts in this match. Jadeja is keeping his length quite full and Root looks eager to play on the back foot. All of that results in another maiden for Jadeja.
Sharma is back for a new spell, replacing Chawla. It's a very good return for the giant seamer as he brings the ball back into Prior nicely throughout the over. England's wicketkeeper manages to do just enough to keep the ball out and it's a maiden.
Good over from Jadeja as he offers Root no room at the crease to work the ball away. It's another maiden for the spinner on a very slow day of Test cricket.
Prior breaks the run of dot balls with a nudge off the pads for a single to square leg. Root does well to guide the ball into a gap on the off-side, collecting two runs in the process before nudging a single onto the leg-side.
Root doesn't quite middle a drive but still earns two runs to deep cover, with Kohli doing the fielding in the deep. It's a good over from Ojha and India are still keeping the run-rate down.
Ashwin returns or a new spell but can't prevent the England duo from rotating the strike early in the over. A loose delivery deserves to be sent to the boundary rope but Root can only pick out Kohli at short cover.
Ojha continues following a lengthy break for little reason five minute before drinks is scheduled. Root collects a single and that's the only blemish to the over. The new ball is available for India to take.
The new ball hasn't been taken and Ashwin begins a new over but he's round the wicket to Root. The Yorkshire batsman defends a couple of balls before flicking the ball to mid-wicket for a single.
It's another deadly accurate over from Ojha and England are once again struggling to keep the runs flowing. It's a maiden and the players will now take a drinks break.
Ashwin continues with the old ball following the seven minute break (too long) and finds some nice drift from round the wicket to Prior. England's wicketkeeper opens the face slightly to push a single onto the off-side from the final ball to keep the strike.
Great shot from Prior as he takes advantage of some width from Ojha to hit the ball through the off-side for four runs. It's a rare mistake from the left-arm spinner and he atones for the error with five dot balls.
Root drops to one knee to reverse sweep Ashwin for a couple of runs, showing that his confidence has increased since his arrival at the crease. The next ball keeps low but Root reacts well and earns a single to square leg.
Chawla back into the attack and he starts with a loose short ball but Root can only pull the ball for a single to square leg. A cut onto the off-side from Prior hands the strike back to the Yorkshire ace, who can only pick out fielders with two powerful cut shots. Root misses a drive from the final ball but Dhoni is bamboozled and four byes is the result.
Ojha works very hard in the deep to stop a Prior drive reaching the boundary rope, restricting the England duo to three runs. A single for each batsman follows and it could be time for India to take the new ball.
India do take the new ball and it's Ojha who will have the first bowl with it but Prior immediately moves off strike with a single to cover. No spin with the new ball and Root blocks out the next five balls.
It's Jadeja rather than Sharma who takes the new ball, which is a strange move considering the latter's spell this morning. Prior wants to find the gap on the off-side but he struggles to find good contact with the bat. It's a maiden.
Good over from Ojha but an inside edge from Root and a push to cover from Prior spoils a potential maiden. England are just trying to make it to the close without another wicket falling.
Prior gives the strike to Root at the start of Jadeja's over with a push to square leg. The patient Root once again goes into defensive mode, blocking out the remainder of Jadeja's deliveries.
Still no Sharma! Strange decision from Dhoni not to bowl his only seamer when India have taken the new ball. Prior blocks well before pushing the ball to long-off for a single and Root once again defends against Ojha.
Finally, Sharma is back into the attack to bowl with the new ball. Prior opens the face to take a single to third man, this partnership is now worth 52. Root is used to facing the new ball having opened for Yorkshire for a couple of seasons and he is happy to leave the ball outside off stump.
Great shot from Prior as he waits until the last moment to cut Ojha's first ball of a new over to the third man boundary rope. They're the only runs scored and there's just 15 minutes left before the close of play.
Dhoni receives some treatment for a neck problem before returning to his place behind the stumps. Sharma continues and he has Root reaching for the ball outside off-stump but the batsman can only find the inside edge. Root has struggled to keep the runs flowing in this session but he'll have his eyes on the close of play now. A mistake from Dhoni allows the England duo to sneak through for a bye and that's the only blemish to an otherwise very good Sharma over.
Jadeja is back for another bowl before the close of play but he's met with some textbook defensive strokes from Root. An inside edge allows the debutant to get off strike and Prior keeps out the final ball. It looks like there should be time for one more over from Sharma.
Root uses a Sharma short ball to move to the non-striker's end with a pull shot for a single. Prior drives the ball to cover for another run and Root then blocks out the remainder of the over to ensure England reach the close of play without any more drama.
Close of play: England will be very happy with this partnership as Prior and the debutant Root have led England to the end of the day following a difficult period during the middle of the day. It's not been the most entertaining day of play in this series but the tourists will be thankful they didn't completely collapse when India had their tails up.
It's a slow pitch and there's been little on offer for the bowlers, meaning India need a special performance to level this series. The game seems to be very evenly poised but who knows what the track may do over the weekend.
Thanks for joining me for a day of old fashioned Test cricket in Nagpur. Come back again tomorrow morning as this intriguing contest continues, goodbye.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
