India v England Second Test: Day four verdict - Only an England implosion can stop the draw

England Cricket / Ed Hawkins / 22 December 2008 / Leave a Comment

Ed Hawkins looks back on day four, when any chance England had of levelling the series went in the Mohali fog.

England were in this series for nine of the scheduled ten days and when they leave India to return to be with their families for Christmas Eve, they can at least take comfort that they pushed what is probably the no. 2 side in the world very close indeed.

Day four in Mohali once and for all ended England's slim hopes of victory to tie the series at 1-1 as India closed on 134 for four, a lead 285.

Even with the record-breaking exploits of India in Chennai and Australia in Perth fresh in the memories of the England players, and with six wickets still to take, any target would surely be too stiff. Besides, there is no time left in the game for England to bowl India out and then chase a total down.

Kevin Pietersen's team had a sniff of something unlikely when Sachin Tendulkar miscued to gully of James Anderson as India stumbled to 44 for three. But wickets needed to keep falling regularly and the 54-run partnership between Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh eroded the morale of the visitors.

When they walk off the pitch for the final time tomorrow England can reflect with some pride, although with regret, too. If they had been more positive in Chennai then they would have gone into this game 1-0 up.

As for India, they have proved that they are most certainly the second best side in the world, if not the best. South Africa's defeat of Australia in Perth, however, suggests they deserve top billing.

As for betting strategies for the final day, the greatest movement we might see in the market is the draw price. It is only going to get shorter with India still batting, and make no mistake they will not let England back in.

However, the price is already [1.10]. India are [11.50]. For that to be an option they would have to be bowled out for another 30 or 40 and then we would need an implosion from England's batsmen. With thoughts of returning home, that could still happen.