Sachin Tendulkar hit a magnificent 97 as India beat Pakistan by six wickets in Gwalior to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in their one-day series.

Mohammad Yousuf finished unbeaten on 99 as the tourists totalled 255-6, with Younus Khan weighing in with 68.

Tendulkar was imperious in sharing 107 with Virender Sehwag (43) but fell in the 90s for the sixth time in 2007.

It mattered little as Yuvraj Singh (53no) and Mahendra Dhoni (39no) eased India home with 21 balls to spare.

By Ben Dirs

606: DEBATE Have your say on the action in Gwalior

E-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Ben Dirs' in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as your first word) or use 606 . (Not all contributions can be used)

INDIA INNINGS

47th over - 260-4 Afridi strays onto Yuvraj's legs and is tickled away for one...and that's the winning hit, and it's a lusty won from Dhoni, the ball disappearing over the long-on fence for six. Easy win for India, and that's the series in the bag. Thanks for the memories and I'll leave you with one final thought:

"Did you know your name pronounces as 'Bender'? You must have got stick for this at school, and I'm sure immature adults such as myself who still find this funny give you grief at work!"
Jetinder Sehmi in the TMS inbox

46th over - 253-4 A single apiece for Yuvraj and Dhoni and Yuvraj keeps the strike with a guide to point.

45th over - 250-4 Butt drops short, the silly sausage, and Yuvraj smack his bottom, crashing him over the mid-wicket fence for six. Yuvraj and Dhoni exchange singles before Yuvraj brings up his fifty with a push to long-off.

44th over - 241-4 The 12th man brings Dhoni a new blade, which suggests the India skipper is going to give it some serious tap-tap-taparoo. He goes for an ugly heave and picks up a couple to long-on. One more for Dhoni with a flick to long-on and there are three more singles from the over. Too easy for India, this is the cricketing equivalent of geography GSCE for these two batsmen.

43rd over - 235-4 Shoaib, like a tiring heavyweight, is getting a ruddy good hiding. He digs one in and is dragged to the mid-wicket fence by Yuvraj before Dhoni crashes him through backward-point for another four. A couple more for Dhoni with a scythe to third-man, and he keeps the strike with a punch through cover-point.

42nd over - 223-4 A couple of singles before Dhoni rocks back to a short ball from Afridi and carves him away for four. Two more for the India wicket-keeper with a clip to square-leg.

41st over - 215-4 Shoaib's back on and Dhoni clips him away to leg for one. Still steaming in, Shoaib, but there's not much spite once the ball leaves his hand. Just the one run from the over however.

40th over - 214-4 Yuvraj paddle-sweeps Afridi for one before Dhoni eases a single to long-on. Afridi being milked like a faithful old cow and there are six from the over.

39th over - 208-4 Dhoni tickles Iftikhar down to fine-leg for one before Yuvraj runs the bowler down to third-man for a single. The stench of inevitability hangs over this match like an opened tin of mackerel in tomato sauce. The bloke who sits next to me sometimes eats that in the office. I need a bit of cash, I might prosecute.

38th over - 206-4 Two wides from Afridi before Dhoni ambles down the track and tucks the ball to leg for one and there's another single for Dhoni, cutting through point. Yuvraj punches to long-on for a single of his own. A couple of readers have informed me that Mr Claypole off of Rentaghost, aka Michael Staniforth, passed away in 1987.

"Sarah (see below), you were watching Scrubs weren't you? What a great programme. I am so bored at work! Me and my boss are in the midst of an office battle with rubber bands. Victory will be mine!"
Pali Singh Jhaj in the TMS inbox

37th over - 201-4 Iftikhar digs one in and Yuvraj, swatting, gets a leading edge for one over the bowler's head. And that's the India 200 courtesy of a flashing outside-edge from Dhoni for one. Iftikhar shows some spunk with a well-directed yorker, but India's batsmen could only look more comfortable if they were batting naked but for a couple of fluffy towels round their waists.

36th over - 198-4 Too full from Afridi and he's marmalised straight down the ground by Dhoni. Pakistan getting a bit of a pummelling here.

"It doesn�t seem quite the same without some fool asking you to concentrate on the cricket. Come on fools, where are you? Btw Ben, who is playing?"
Johnny Pub-Quiz, Paris, in the TMS inbox

35th over - 193-4 Tanvir offers some width and is clobbered through extra-cover for four. Three more singles from the over and there's absolutely no way I can see Pakistan winning this from here, their attack has all the cutting edge of a baked Alaska.

34th over - 186-4 Yuvraj pushes into the off-side for one before Dhoni drags a lifter from Gul to mid-wicket for one. One more for Dhoni with a pat down the pitch before Yuvraj retains the strike with a clip to square-leg. Everyone remember Rentaghost? Whatever happened to the bloke who played Claypole? I always thought he was destined for greatness.

33rd over - 181-4 Tanvir is back into the attack and Yuvraj knifes him to third-man for one. Dhoni whips away a full-bunger before Yuvraj scampers two and adds another with a tuck to mid-wicket.

"Yesssss...my very first contributor's curse!! But I am a little sad that he only got 97, 'siebenundneunzig' just doesn't have the same ring to it, one syllable too many and all that."
Sarah, Bucks, in the TMS inbox

32nd over - 176-4 Yuvraj picks up a couple with a flip to leg and then unfurls a crackerjack shot, rocking back and larruping Gul to the mid-wicket fence. One more for Yuvraj with a guide to point. Anyone read that Brian Clough biography, Provided You Don't Kiss Me? It's ruddy brilliant. I finished it on the Tube yesterday and very nearly started balling it. That would have been a bit embarrassing, I think I'll stick to Metro from now on.

31st over - 169-4 That's sweet as a nut from Yuvraj, threading an elegant drive through the off-side field and over the extra-cover boundary. Yuvraj edges to third-man for one more. Shoaib serves up two wides before Yuvraj clips him past square-leg for one more. I think someone's foot has gone gangrenous - I just went to the toilet, came back and the smell almost blew my head off. Either that or someone's feet are made of cheese.

"Sarah from Bucks: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
A peeved Skee, Derby, in the TMS inbox

"To Carole from Maidenhead - could you fix me up as well while you're off matchmaking for Ben? The nights get cold this time of year."
Trick, Notts, in the TMS inbox

30th - WICKET - Little Master b Gul 97 - Ind 159-4
Oh my giddy aunt, Sachin's fallen short again - the sixth time he's gone in the 90s this year. Gul got that to nip back a touch and Tendulkar, attempting that risky little dab to third-man, plays on. Gwalior is raucous no more, it sounds like a Keane gig out there as Sachin traipses from the pitch. The handsome sod that is MS Dhoni strides to the middle and he's off the big '0' with a thick outside-edge for one.

"Hmm, looks like old Sachin might make it to 100 after all. I can at least console myself with 'Neunundneunzig Luftballons' by Nena, which is still stuck in my head. Thanks!"
Sarah, Bucks, in the TMS inbox

29th over - 159-3 Yuvraj steers Shoaib into the covers for one and Tendulkar picks up a single with a fend to backward-point - he's now on 97. Carole from Maidenhead (see below), the woman you describe sounds a bit like Gita from Eastenders ("too much boozing, Sanjay..."). Have you got her number?

"I was inspired, from earlier talk, to hand write a letter to my little sister (who is in her first year at Harvard). Unfortunately, my hand muscles seem to be finely-tuned for nothing other than typing and holding a bat, as now I have a somewhat painful cramp, which is radiating up my forearm. Thanks Ben. Welcome back."
Angharad, Brixton, in the TMS inbox

28th over - WICKET - Sehwag run out (Malik) 43 - Ind 155-3 Tendulkar picks up one from Gul's first ball, but Sehwag is run out from the third ball of the over. Malik it was with the pick up and shy. Tendulkar reaches for one and knifes Gul down to third-man for backward-point. Yuvraj is off the mark with a single from the final ball of the over.

27th over - 154-2 I get the feeling this match all hinges on Shoaib's spell here. If he can get up a head of steam and rip out a couple of wickets, Pakistan have a chance. He gets one to snort up at Tendulkar, but Sachin drops his hands and plays it well. Tendulkar moves to 93 with a sliced cut for four before Sachin grinds the bowler's nose in it, smashing a straight drive into Shoaib's ankle. Shoaib gives it a bit of theatrics, but, to his credit, he's soon back on his feet and finishing the over...the old drama tart...

26th over - 145-2 We have a bit of a hiatus as the ball is changed. Gul gets one to rise on Tendulkar but the little man opens the face next delivery and picks up two to point. Plenty of dew out there now, which is catastrophic news for the bowlers and makes it a bit like trying to slay a dragon with only a plastic fork as a weapon. Gul drags one in short and Sehwag uppercuts him for four.

25th over - 141-2 Bring on these pink balls I say, the thing they're playing with at the moment looks like a lump of coal, and you don't want to be playing with a lump of coal when Shoaib's on the pitch. He gets Tendulkar hopping with one, although the batsman manages to deflect it for one. Sehwag pushes into the covers for a single, before he and Tendulkar exchange one run apiece.

24th over - 137-2 Sehwag latches onto a wide one from Afridi and pierces the off-side field with a beauty of a back-foot drive. Four runs. Two more for Sehwag with a whip to long-on and Tendulkar picks up yet another boundary with a streaky inside edge. Agony for Pakistan, as Afridi gives Sachin an ironic round of applause.

23rd over - 125-2 Sehwag, happy to play a supporting role, clips Iftikhar to long-leg before Tendulkar fishes lazily outside off-stump and is beaten. Tendulkar has not scored a ODI ton for 26 innings, and has been dismissed five times in the 90s in that time. He picks up one more run with a punch to cover and Sehwag takes the strike with a single.

"Lager - one of the most horrible tasting drinks out there. But, oddly, I can't do without it..."
Kerrie Matthews in the TMS inbox

22nd over - 122-2 That's an absolute huckleberry of a shot from Tendulkar, going inside-out and slapping Afridi over extra-cover for four. The Little Master is going berserk, making room and square-driving for another boundary before unfurling a contender for shot of the day, smearing Afridi through cover-point for his third four of the over. Tendulkar over the hill? Try telling poor old Shahid that...

21st over - 109-2 Tendulkar moves to 64 with a thick outside-edge for a couple and he snaffles another one with a steer to backward-point. One more leg-bye from the over and these Pakistani bowlers aren't asking too many taxing questions at the moment.

"'This boy can bat a bit...' Commentator's curse if ever I saw one. I'm not sure if he'll make it to 99 after that."
Sarah, Bucks, in the TMS inbox

20th over - 105-2 Afridi has a strangled appeal against Tendulkar turned down before Sehwag gives Afridi a taste of his own medicine, larruping him over mid-wicket for six. That's India's ton up and India are manouevring themselves into a strong position.

19th over - 98-2 Tendulkar whips Iftikhar to leg for a single and the only run of the over. That's good, tight bowling from Iftikhar, keeping both batsmen honest.

"Re Shafique's comment about you and the plethora of comments about women - I was beginning to think the same thing. Added to that your comments about needing some mates over to share nibbles and someone to ask you to dance...Ben dear, I think Auntie Carole is going to have to organise some blind dates for you. Garnered from your many comments, I would think you favourite type of girl will be of sub-continental looks, with a hint of a moustache and a Junoesque figure, and a smattering of knowledge about most sports. I'll get on with it then."
Carole, Maidenhead, in the TMS inbox

18th over - 97-2 Tendulkar is very nearly run-out, but he just manages to make his ground having darted down the track towards the striker's end. Sehwag picks up one with a casual clip to long-on while Tendulkar tickles Afridi down to fine-leg for a single.

17th over - 95-2 Tendulkar works Iftikhar to leg before Sehwag unfurls a doozy of a cover-drive which runs away for four. Two more runs for Sehwag, who's looking lighter than he has been, courtesy of a whip to mid-wicket, and he picks up one more with a glide to third-man.

"Babs Windsor was, and is, wonderful, and like any successful sexy woman she'll always have her knockers."
Saty in the TMS inbox

16th over - 87-2 A single for Sehwag before Tendulkar collects the ball from outside off-stump and whips it through mid-wicket. And Sehwag joins in the bullying, smearing Tanvir through backward-point for four. India coasting.

"Why did Ben Sura email that comment? (see below) Surely he should have called each and every one of us to save humanity? Now I'm just off to stalk ex-girlfriends by poking them on Facebook."
James Cameron in the TMS inbox

15th over - 77-2 Iftikhar over-pitches and Sehwag whips him away for a single. The bowler then goes up for a big lbw appeal against Tendulkar, but the umpire decides that wasn't hitting. When I was a kid and I started drinking lager, I always thought, "when I'm old, I'll like the taste of this", but it never happened. Does anyone else use lager purely as a social lubricant or am I just pathetic?

"Monster Munch. Flaming Hot - the ultimate crisp. Although I would like to suggest you all pop down to your local Pak Food Stores and pick up some lemon and chilli whirls. They're outta this world..."
Skee, Derby, in the TMS inbox

14th over - 74-2 Tanvir drops short and Sehwag carves him away for one and Tendulkar collects one with a clip through mid-wicket. Players have a wet. Shafique Cockar (see below), it's good to abstain every now and again, it freshens up the system.

13th over - 71-2 Iftikhar keeping it tighter than Andy Fordham's...hold on a second, I can't say that any more, he's a ruddy waif...however, that's an elegant stroke from Sehwag, timing Iftikhar through cover-point for a few.

"What's with all these references to women? Are you abstaining, or what?"
Shafique Cockar, London, in the TMS inbox

12th over - 68-2 That's murderous from Tendulkar, piling into a wide one from Gul and the ball racing towards the point boundary. And that's his fifty, his 87th in ODIs, courtesy of a blistering back-foot drive. This boy can bat a bit...

11th over - 60-2 One leg-bye from Iftikhar's first over and a single from Tendulkar, an inside edge. The Pakistan bowlers have applied the brakes after some lavish strokeplay from Tendulkar.

"Has anyone else ever experimented with the amount of turn that can be achieved with an orange on office carpet? I have found far more mess is generated than genuine turn."
Parmjeet Singh Dayal in the TMS inbox

10th over - 58-2 Sehwag guides Gul to third-man for the only run of the over. Carole in Maidenhead has just reminded me about Andy Fordham - he's only gone and lost 10 stone! He now looks like the inner-most part of an Andy Fordham Russian doll. Saying that, his forearms still look like hams.

9th over - WICKET - Gambhir c Tanvir b Rao 3 - Ind 48-2 I've just seen the trophy they're playing for - it looks like something the Iron Man would vomit up after a dodgy chilli con carne. And that's wicket number two for Pakistan, Gambhir swivelling and mistiming Rao straight to Tanvir at mid-wicket. Sehwag is the new batsman and India pick up a leg-bye from his first ball faced. More regal strokeplay from Tendulkar, first whipping Rao through square-leg for four before timing the bowler straight down the ground. If his earlier stroke was Bridgette Bardot circa 1956, that last one was Ava Gardner circa 1951. Incomparable.

"William (see below) - no need, just ordered myself a case of 60 which should be in time for Christmas. All I need now are some buffet nibbles and friends."
Matthew in the TMS inbox

8th over - 48-1 Glorious from Tendulkar, showing the maker's name and carving Gul through the covers for four. And that's even better from Sachin, punching Gul through cover-point for his sixth four. Two more for Tendulkar with a glide to third-man. Nervous times for Pakistan, but the crowd is going bonkers in Gwalior.

"I agree with the Babs Windsor comment there Ben (see below). Mind you, no-one in the Carry On films was an oil painting. I mean Sid James, top geezer, but in these shallow and image-obsessed times the only job he would get these days at the BBC would be as, well, a text commentator."
James, Herts, in the TMS inbox

7th over - 35-1 Jamspangler of a shot from Sachin, whipping Shoaib through mid-wicket for four, but Shoaib retaliates with a lifting delivery that has Tendulkar fencing outside off-stump. Shoaib cuts down his run-up and is carved through backward-point for a couple, and he clutches his ankle at the end of the over before trudging from the pitch. If Shoaib was a car, he'd be a Maserati. Looks good and can go like the clappers, but expect it to go wrong all the time.

6th over - 30-1 Tanvir drops slightly short and Tendulkar punches him through point for four. Cracking shot that. Two more for the Little Master with a tickle to fine-leg before he picks up another three with a trademark whip through mid-wicket. This is an expensive over from Tanvir - Ganbhir nicks a single with a dab to short third-man and Tendulkar weighs in with another four, a flick off his toes.

"To Matthew Coleman: I agree that Space Raiders are good but I think I would like to raise the bar with maize-based crisps made in Ireland called Meanies. Same idea as Space Raiders only better. I would like to show my dedication to this claim by posting over a few bags!"
William Bradley, Enniskillen, in the TMS inbox

5th over - 16-1 Shoaib appeals for lbw against Tendulkar, who, one fine stroke aside, is struggling for timing. Umpire Saheba turns down another lbw appeal and Tendulkar looks to be struggling to adjust to Shoaib's pace. I'm getting the feeling Old Shoaib needs to cut down his run-up, he looks a mess out there. He looks like a man who's clearly too old to be clubbing but still insists on giving it his all on the dancefloor. These days I'm like Sinatra - "don't ask me, I don't dance." Not that anyone asks me...

4th over - 14-1 Tanvir goes up for lbw against Tendulkar, but Umpire Doctrove decides, rightly, that it pitched outside leg. Just one from Tanvir's over, Tendulkar just managing to squeeze a bat-pad to leg.

"Going back to your earlier comment, I was working from home yesterday and went through two multi-packs of Space Raiders, probably the greatest crisps ever made. Maize-based crisps are miles better than potato ones. Anyone agree?"
Matthew Coleman in the TMS inbox

3rd over - WICKET - Ganguly c Younus b Shoaib 5 - Ind 11-1
Pakistan have the breakthrough. Shoaib gets one to move away from Ganguly, Ganguly has a nibble and Younus does very well to snaffle a ball that was travelling like a tracer bullet. Gambhir is the new man in the middle and he's off the mark with a tuck to square-leg. Tendulkar nicks the strike with a push to long-on.

2nd over - 11-0 If the previous over showcased classic Tendulkar, that was vintage Ganguly, spearing Sohail Tanvir through the covers for four. He didn't even bother moving, that was a boundary all the way. I was watching Carry on Camping the other day and I thought to myself, "Babs Windsor, she wasn't actually all that..."

1st over - 6-0 Right, players are back out - let's 'av it. Shoaib Akhtar to have first bung and he kicks off with a wild wide outside Sourav Ganguly's off-peg. Ganguly is off the mark with a clip to square-leg for one. Sachin Tendulkar plays a lazy stroke away from his body, and he very nearly feathered that to Kamran Akmal behind the stumps. But that's classic Tendulkar, timing Shoaib off middle and leg and all the way to the mid-wicket fence. If that shot was a woman, it would be Brigitte Bardot circa 1956.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

50th over - 255-6 Singh to bowl the last over and Yousuf and new batter Akmal score a single apiece from his first two deliveries. Singh throws in a useful yorker which Yousuf can only dink away for one before Akmal picks up one to mid-wicket. Crash, bang, wallop - Yousuf gives Singh the long handle and moves to 97 with only one ball remaining with a glorious hit over long-on. But he can only bag two from the final delivery and finishes on 99. The Pakistan team look pretty pleased with that, I suspect 250 was the target and we should be in for a tight tussle - 253 is the average under lights on this ground. I'm off for a very mediocre baguette, see you in a bit.

49th over - WICKET - Tanvir lbw b Zaheer 6 - Pak 243-6
Tanvir aims something gigantic over mid-wicket but can only squirt the ball away for a single. Yousuf swivels on a Zaheer delivery and picks up a leg-bye. Tanvir's first boundary comes courtesy of an edge down to the fine-leg fence. But that's Tanvir on toast, going for the big heave-ho and getting himself trapped pretty much plumb in front. Zaheer finishes with 2-40 from his 10 overs.

48th over - WICKET - Misbah b Pathan 40 - Pak 228-5
Misbah is cleaned up by a Pathan slower ball, the batsman trying the late cut and finding himself caught out by a bit of turn. Big wicket at the death for the hosts. Tanvir is the new batsman and he's off the mark with a turn to leg for one. Yousuf heaves Pathan down to fine-leg for a couple before swinging him away for four. When the fat lady's singing, Yousuf will still be swinging.

47th over - 228-4 Yousuf is dropped by Ganguly in the covers. Yousuf gave that plenty of tap, but I can't help thinking Ganguly should have pouched that above his head. Bizarrely, the batsmen didn't bother nicking a run. Yousuf picks up a single before Misbah turns axeman, dropping to one knee and slathering Singh straight over long-off for six. Nasty. Two more singles and that was a better over for the visitors.

46th over - 218-4 Misbah flicks Zaheer away for one before Pakistan pick up a valuable leg-bye. Misbah pouches two more with a steer to long-off before Yousuf retains the strike with a flip to mid-wicket. Pakistan need hammer and they're not getting it.

"Talking about letters, I received about 30 Happy Diwali texts from family and friends. I found it very impersonal, so between 6.30-9.30, I spoke to everyone I knew wishing them a Happy Diwali. I must say many of those people were touched. Email and texts are the demise of humanity as we knew it."
Ben Sura in the TMS inbox

45th over - 212-4 Time for some more Pathan and the Pakistan batsmen still not cutting loose. Five singles from the over. A bit of relationship advice: a couple of weeks ago, a mate of mine was telling us in gory detail about a night he'd spent with his girlfriend when another mate, Jim, got all serious: "Matt," he said, "don't go around telling everyone about that sort of stuff because you might fall in love, and when she's walking down the aisle, all anyone will be able to think of is what you've just told us." Sound advice from a normally very unsound man.

44th over - 207-4 A run apiece for Misbah and Yousuf and the former bags another with a gentle stroke into the covers. But that's more like it from Yousuf, crashing Singh over extra-cover for four. Singh goes up for a half-hearted leg-before against Yousuf - that struck him outside off - before Yousuf flails Singh through wide long-off for a single.

43rd over - 198-4 Misbah misses out on a full-bunger from Zaheer and rather politely dabs another full-toss to wide mid-on for a single. Yousuf scampers two after a nice glide to third-man before Misbah is very nearly cleaned up by a Zaheer yorker. Good contest this - if Pakistan can claw their way to 250, it could easily be their game.

42nd over - 195-4 Harbhajan is on for his final over and Yousuf gets down on one knee and slaps him over mid-wicket for six of the best. Take that, sir! One more for Yousuf with a pat to long-on and Misbah bags a couple with a clip to mid-wicket. Misbah retains the strike courtesy of a nibble round the corner.

41st over - 184-4 Yousuf misses out on a ball that drifts into his pads but does get one for a drive into the covers. Misbah scampers a single after a push into the covers. Pakistan finding scoring quickly tough, Yousuf is going to have to start giving it some hammer.

"I keep getting my Botham-esque swipe to deep long-on mixed up with my glorious Faldo-esque drive down the centre of the fairway - unfortunately this is not next to the photocopier but usually on the second tee."
Johnny Pub-Quiz, Paris, in the TMS inbox

40th over - 178-4 Yousuf very nearly perishes, the ball from Harbhajan keeping low and a bottom edge just missing his stumps. Yousuf does pick up a couple with a well-placed drive through the covers before retaining the strike with a turn to leg.

39th over - 175-4 Pathan is into the attack and Misbah welcomes him back with a steer to the third-man fence. Misbah follows up with a push into the covers for one and there are three more milked singles from the over, one of them bringing up Yousuf's fifty, his 59th in ODIs.

"Personally I am a huge fan of practising 'KP'-style leaves whilst at work, rolling my wrists above an imaginary good length ball. On a separate note, I was in a baseball stadium in Baltimore last year wandering around and acquired a baseball as a souvenir. Needless to say, my Glenn McGrath-style run up and delivery followed by Hoggard-style appeal drew some very bemused looks from the locals."
John Collins in the TMS inbox

38th over - 166-4 Harbhajan showing the strain, sending a couple of wides down leg-side. Yousuf picks up one for an inside-edge and Misbah picks up a single with a drive to long-on. One more for Yousuf with a cut to deep point.

37th over - 161-4 Yousuf really looking ominous now and that's an absloute doozy of a shot, waiting on a Ganguly delivery and timing him through the covers for four. Two more for Yousuf with a glide to third-man and another two singles makes it eight from the over.

36th over - 153-4 Who the ruddy heck are all those clowns on I'm a Celebrity this year? Someone told me Biggins was going to be on it, that's the only reason I tuned in. I ended up watching Hitler's Henchmen instead. Yousuf picks up a single with a flick to square-leg and Misbah bags one with a similar stroke. Three more singles from the over and as long as Yousuf is there, Indian fans will be nervous.

35th over - 148-4 A single for Misbah before Yousuf creams Ganguly through the off-side for four. Plenty of bottom hand but that was still peche de la peche. Yousuf nicks the strike with a nurdle into the on-side.

"I have once or twice demonstrated my Ponting-esque Pull-shot in certain nightclubs to improve my chances of 'pulling'. Imagine my embarrassment when the last time I tried this, I lost my balance Inzy-style and crashed into a couple of ladies behind me. And yes, medical attention was required."
Jamie Dalton in the TMS inbox

34th over - 142-4 Dhoni rotating his bowlers and here's Harbhajan again. Just two from his over, a single apiece for Yousuf and Misbah. Shyam has just pointed out, correctly, that Younus is not the Pakistan skipper, as I stated below. "How could you have missed something so important?" says Shyam. It happens, Shyam. I once forgot I was supposed to be flying to Australia and had to be dragged out of a branch of Dixons by an irate friend.

33rd over - WICKET - Afridi lbw b Ganguly 1 - Pak 134-4
Have that Pakistan - Afridi misses with an attempted shovel over his shoulder and umpire Saheba quickly decides he was out. India right back in this match. Misbah is the new man in the middle and he's not mucking about, punching his second ball through the covers for four. He picks up a couple more with a turn to mid-wicket and 240 still looks to be a good target for Pakistan.

32nd over - 134-3 Mustard shot from Yousuf, waiting for the ball from RP Singh and gliding it through backward-point for a couple. Good, athletic fielding from Ganguly, and a little startling. Like seeing your nan breaking off from making a pot of tea in the kitchen to pull off an impromptu swan-dive. Nan Dirs - a little bit miserable, but a magnificent breakdancer.

"Re: imaginary cricket at home - I fancy myself more as a bowler than as a batsman. Just last week I was delighted to get a large roll of sellotape to nip back in off the seam and clean bowl my (rather surprised) youngest child who was busy doing a dot-to-dot puzzle at the time."
John, Perth, in the TMS inbox

31st over - 132-3 Yousuf works Ganguly to leg for one and Afridi is off the mark with a turn to fine-leg. Tight stuff from Ganguly, Yousuf's flip to mid-wicket for one only the third run of the over.

"I seem to keep practising the forward defensive to a ball that snorts up from a length, making me shift my head violently to the left whilst dropping my hands in avoidance. Once satisfied that I have managed to play this invisible jaffer as best I can, I wander down the wicket to prod at the pitch mark and smile to the bowler, mouthing 'well bowled'. I need something to do with my time."
Charlie in the TMS inbox

30th over - WICKET - Younus c & b Yuvraj 68 - Pak 129-3
Just what the doctor ordered for India - the dangerous Younus gone. Younus attempts to turn Yuvraj to leg, closes the face too quickly and dollies a leading edge back to the bowler. The explosive Afridi is the new man in - Hammer Time?

29th over - 128-2 Ganguly is going to have a dabble with his dibbly-dobblies. Younus stays back and drags him through mid-wicket for one. Yousuf square-drives to deep point befoer Younus opens the face and nudges Ganguly to third-man for a single. Three more singles from the over and that's six runs overall.

28th over - 122-2 Younus is looking to give everything the long handle and he trots down the track and lofts Sehwag to deep mid-wicket for one. Yousuf follows that with a savage cut through point for four and a delicate dab through point for a single. Someone needs to apply the brakes for India.

"You are so right about hand-written letters. They are special. I received a letter from a lovely lady in her 70s last week, and it immediately took me back to the days of home-made jam with hand-written labels, Victoria sponge cakes and neck of mutton stew. Aaaah, delightful whimsy. Delightful stuff."
Carole, Maidenhead, in the TMS inbox

27th over - 115-2 Yousuf turns Harbhajan to square-leg for one before Younus rat-a-tat-tats the spinner over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. Beefy. Three more singles and this pair are looking to flip the switch - an expensive few overs for India.

26th over - 105-2 Sehwag's turn to turn his arm over and there are four singles from his first over. Not a big fan of spin from both ends, struggle to keep up.

25th over - 101-2 Harbhajan being milked by this pair and that's Pakistan's ton, Yousuf turning the off-spinner to leg for a single. Two singles for Younus in the over as the Sky cameraman goes on Totty Watch. Like him, I often find myself staring at sub-continental women on the Tube every morning. Magnificent.

"I last wrote a handwritten letter from the garden of a hotel in Kathmandu, after finding real hotel stationary in the rooms and while being served coffee in a silver pot. I felt very 1920s. I'm given to understand that the girl who received the letter was very touched. Clearly it beats a postcard if you're looking to impress someone."
Alex, Englefield Green, in the TMS inbox

24th over - 97-2 Yousuf gives Yuvraj some clatter, heaving the left-arm spinner one bounce over the rope at long-on. Brutal. Two more for Yousuf with a sweep to fine-leg and another couple with a scythe through point. This pair building a pretty handy partnership.

23rd over - 88-2 Dhoni misses a stumping chance against Younus. Harbhajan drifts one down leg, Younus ambles out of his crease and Dhoni fails to gather. Two for Younus next up and that's his 29th ODI fifty, from 70 deliveries. Younus picks up another single with a drive to long-on and Yousuf copies the shot to steal the strike.

22nd over - 84-2 Spin from both ends now as Yuvraj is brought into the attack. Younus clips Yuvraj to mid-wicket for one and grabs another single with a flick to leg. One leg-bye and there are three from the over.

21st over - 81-2 Harbhajan showing plenty of variation and mixing up his pace. Just the two singles from the over.

20th over - WICKET - Malik b Zaheer 31 - Pak 78-2
Younus rocks back to Zaheer and smears him over square-leg for four before Pakistan pick up a leg-bye. But that's Malik gone, the opener giving Zaheer the charge and finding his stumps splattered behind him. That's Zaheer's 200th ODI wicket in his 144th game - he's the 29th player to pull off the feat, and the fifth Indian. Yousuf is the new batsman and he's off the mark first ball with a single to point. This game is beautifully poised.

"In reference to the tea round debate, I would like you to shame Ash in our office as he has now taken on solo tea rounds, coupled with solo breakfast runs! Absolutely shocking behaviour!"
Dan, London, in the TMS inbox

19th over - 73-1 Time for a change of pace as Harbhajan is wheeled into the attack. One for Younus with a drive to mid-on before Malik rocks back and carves the bowler through point for a couple. Malik picks up a single with a push to long-on and Younus grabs three runs with a delicate flip to long-leg. Seven from the over.

"I've been playing the bouncer banged in short in my student kitchen - taking evasive action and following it up with a big glare into my Polish housemate's face - she simply looks back lost."
Andy Scott, Portsmouth, in the TMS inbox

18th over - 66-1 Just two from Zaheer's over, a tight one. Malik it is with the runs, courtesy of a clip off his pads. When was the last time you received a hand-written letter? We were just discussing how nice it would be to wake up one morning and find one on your doormat. If you want to do something nice for someone today, dig out the old Basildon Bond and a fountain pen and knock someone up a letter - they'll be over the moon.

17th over - 64-1 Malik edges to third-man for one before Younus shows his class, slashing wristily to the backward-point boundary. Another single through point for Younus and Malik nicks the strike with a steer to the same part of the ground.

16th over - 57-1 Zaheer serves up a half-bunger outside off-peg, smothered in whipped cream and hundreds and thousands - Malik marmalises him through extra-cover for four. One more for Malik with a steer to third-man before Younus goes walkabout and pushes down the track for one. One more for Malik with a run down to third-man. Controversy in Gwalior, controversy in our office. Someone recently made the, in my opinion, nonsensical decision to scrap tea rounds in favour of making tea in the office. I think it's a cost-saving exercise. Personally, I believe how people behave in tea rounds gives you a very good insight into their personalities. For example, there's a bloke in our office who always shouts his round, but always gets himself a large cup and everyone else a small one. Bang out of order.

15th over - 50-1 Controversy in Gwalior! Younus flashes at a widish delivery from Pathan and Dhoni claims a low catch diving forward behind the timbers. Umpire Saheba, bizarrely, chooses not to refer it to the man upstairs. Replays suggest the ball bumped into Dhoni's gloves, which would make it a spot-on decision. Maiden over, India not happy, players have a drink.

"Re '10th Over', I often find myself playing Vaughan-esque cover drives next to the photocopier to impress the pretty girl from HR. Sadly she just looks at me with a touching mixture of pity and contempt."
Andrew Maddox in the TMS inbox

14th over - 50-1 Younus and Malik exchange singles before Younus unveils a peachy stroke, timing the ball straight down the ground for four. One more for the Pakistan skipper, whipping Zaheer to mid-wicket, and Malik plays a similar shot for a single.

"I know what you mean regarding practising strokes. Recently I've been playing back and nicking to the keeper. I then practice a philosophical sigh and trudge back to the pavilion. Must be the time of year."
Russell Bowry in the TMS inbox

13th over - 43-1 One more for Younus, dabbing the ball to backward-point, before Pathan sends down a rare loose one and Malik, as if trying to retrieve a tennis ball from under a car, reaches for it and sprays it through point for four. This Gwalior place looks the absolute daddy - ancient forts and palaces, plenty of exotic birds, and the wildlife's not bad either.

12th over - 38-1 Younus shows the face of the bat and picks up one to straightish mid-on. Nice timing from Malik, clipping Zaheer through mid-wicket for a couple.

"Hairy might be sexy, but I know a few southern Italian women who have better beards than me. And do little to hide it. I prefer the Eva Longoria type at that point."
Matthew Smallwood, Newcastle, in the TMS inbox

11th over - 35-1 Gossamer touch from Younus, opening the face and watching the ball race to the third-man fence. He picks up another sharp single with a drop down to short third-man, but the Indian bowlers are giving the batsman nothing - no extras so far.

10th over - 30-1 Younus tucks Zaheer to leg for a single, the only run of the over. You know when you walk around the house playing imaginary cricket strokes - savage square cuts, lofted drives over long-on, that sort of thing? The other day I found myself shouldering arms, a la Michael Atherton, and losing my off-stump to an off-cutter. If ever there was a sign that I have a melancholic disposition, that was it.

9th over - 29-1 RP Singh has a vociferous lbw appeal turned down by umpire Saheba, and rightly so - Younus was about 10 foot down the track. Younus picks up a single with a gentle drive into the covers.

"Just looked up Gwalior on Wikipedia - it sounds fascinating, too much for me to describe here. Pack your bags Ben, you could have a great post-Chrimbo trip."
Carole, Maidenhead, in the TMS inbox

8th over - 28-1 Zaheer into the attack. Malik waits on one and whips Zaheer down to long-leg for a couple. Several of you have sent YouTube links in for Nena's '99 Red Balloons'. Take a look, it's ruddy brilliant. I particularly recommend the German version, but then I like women talking in a foreign language.

7th over - 26-1 A mix up between the Pakistan batsmen, Younus pushing into the off-side, and setting off before sending Malik back. Gambhir it was with the shy, but Malik was comfortably home in the end. Younus dispatches a half-bunger to the cover-point fence before gliding to third-man for a couple. Two more for Younus and Pakistan are finding some fluency. I reckon 240 would be a decent total on this track, it's a little two-paced.

6th over - 18-1 Just one from the over, Pathan bowling a nagging line on off and middle. Younus it is with the single, dropping the ball into the off-side. Talking of Nena (see below), anyone else noticed how women are almost entirely hairless nowadays, apart from on top of the head, obviously? Does anyone think hair will ever make a comeback with the ladies? I'm not so sure.

5th over - 17-1 Younus scampers a single and there are a couple for Malik with a clip through mid-wicket. The trees overlooking the stadium in Gwalior are filled with Indian fans grabbing a free look at the action. They look like giant parrots up there.

"I doubt very much they had King Size Mars Bars when you were a nipper Ben. I see you more huddled round the wireless tackling a Texan - and I don't mean Eva Longoria."
Scott Birch in the TMS inbox

4th over - 14-1 Lovely shot from Younus, short-arm pulling Pathan through mid-wicket for a few. Malik displays his class with a silky whip through mid-wicket for four before Younus is very nearly toast, inside edging, but Dhoni is unable to take what would have been a fine catch.

3rd over - 5-1 One run for Younus with a glide to backward-point - perhaps there should have been two there. Malik nicks a single with a nurdle to leg and Younus keeps the strike with a thick outside edge down to third-man. Yuvraj is having a bit of trouble with that gammy left knee of his. As for '99s', Paul, I've made a few calls and apparently Tendulkar is releasing a cover of Nena's 80's classic '99 Red Balloons' over the Yuletide period. Good Lord, I would have loved to have kissed that woman...

"Rumour is spreading in my part of Lancashire that Sachin Tendulkar has recently been amassing scores of 99 as part of a very clever plan to front an India-wide advertising push of ice cream cones with chocolate stuck on top, commonly known in the UK as '99's, and generally purchased from melodious, slow-moving white vans. Ben, in your investigative journalist guise, would you seek to confirm whether these rumours are indeed true?"
Paul, Lancs, in the TMS inbox

2nd over - 2-1 It's Pathan to share the new ball with RP Singh and his first ball is a long way outside Malik's off-peg. Malik gets Pakistan off the mark with a nudge to mid-on and Younus is off the dreaded nought with a push into the covers.

"Ben, you're more than welcome a King Size Mars Bar or a Snickers from my store as long as you say the three magical words: 'Chak De India'."
Santokh S. Uppal in the TMS inbox

1st over - WICKET - Butt lbw b RP Singh 0 - Pak 0-1
Good grief, we've got a ruddy wicket already! That was absolutely plumb lbw, Singh's second delivery nipping back a fraction and catching Butt cold. What a start for the hosts. Younus is the next man in and he fishes nervously at his first delivery. He survives, but that's a wicket-maiden for RP Singh.

0856: Right, here come the Pakistani openers and it's all going off at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium, we should have a crackerjack in store. What do you all know about Gwalior? I have to admit, I know pretty much nothing about it. I've got plenty of time off after Chrimbo - worth a visit?

0852: I have to admit, I haven't seen any of this series so far. Has it been any good? My housemate gets free crisps at work and yesterday, he reckons, he ate five bags. Is that acceptable behaviour for a 31-year-old 'man'?

"I'd like to accuse you of bias towards any female contributors, especially if they're called a certain name that I dare not mention."
Jude, Bristol, in the TMS inbox

India: S C Ganguly, S R Tendulkar, G Gambhir, V Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, M S Dhoni (Capt, Wkt), A R Uthappa, I K Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Z Khan, R P Singh.

Pakistan: Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi, Younus Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik (Capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal (Wkt), Sohail Tanvir, Iftikhar Anjum, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul.

Umpires: B R Doctrove and A M Saheba

0841: In a preemptive bid to stave off any accusations of partisanship towards one team or the other, I would just like to point out that India and Pakistan are my joint-second favourite cricket teams in the whole wide world and that I love all Indians and Pakistanis equally. Apart from the bloke who owns the newsagent round the corner from my mum and dad's house, who once accused me of nicking a King Size Mars Bar. I never did forgive him for that.