The first two days of this match were absorbing. On Friday it burst into life to produce one of the most remarkable days in recent memory.
The first session was scarcely believable. England scored 172 runs and excitement built that Smith could reach three figures in less than 76 balls to make the fastest century by an England player – a record that has stood for 123 years.
He failed in that quest but, having come in with his side 85-5 and staring down the barrel, still made the highest score by an England wicketkeeper in men’s Tests, eclipsing Alec Stewart’s 173 in New Zealand in 1997.
Either side of Smith’s mammoth stand with Brook, England lost seven wickets for 28 runs. India deserve immense credit for the way they sensed their moment after tea.
Significant seam movement for Akash Deep helped him bowl Brook while the occasional ball has turned for the spinners and others kept low to the quicks.
That means chasing anything more than the 371 England pursued at Headingley to win last week’s first Test will be tough.
But if England do not bowl out India, their opponents will be left with an intriguing tactical decision of when to declare given England’s chasing credentials – they also pursued 378 to beat India in 2022 – and the hosts’ stated disinterest in playing for a draw.
Would India leave England four sessions to get 500? It could be fascinating.
