India's fielding was below Test standard

As it was, had India lost a wicket or two, a nightwatchman would have been sent in rather than Tendulkar or Dravid.

It might sound as if I am completely writing off India's chances of victory, but history suggests that it is highly unlikely.

Take nothing for granted

No team, batting last in India, has ever scored anything approaching the 374 that the home side need and, besides, Hussain could very quickly revert to defence if things start to get out of hand.

Just watch Tendulkar prove me wrong!

Whether England manage to pull off a victory or not, this match has been a revelation.

They were written off completely after their performance in Mohali, and only had themselves to blame for that.

Something here has galvanised them: maybe it was Thorpe's dash home, or the fact that a number of them are unwell. Whatever it was, England have been an entirely different team.

Mark Butcher deserves enormous credit for his gutsy effort.

Butcher's determination was admirable

He was really suffering with the stomach upset that floored Michael Vaughan on Thursday, but battled away for four and a quarter hours for his 92.

It was his partnership of 112 with Hussain, who scored 50, that set England on their way after the early loss of Marcus Trescothick.

Ganguly's curious field placings helped. Fancy not having a fielder at backward point for Butcher - that is where he scores most of his runs.

Harbhajan Singh finished with five wickets as England rather lost their way towards the end of the innings, and he is still talking a positive game by suggesting that India will go for the runs.

He managed to turn the ball more than earlier in the match, but very few deliveries have really misbehaved.

Importantly the bounce has remained consistent for the seam bowlers which suggests that it will be England's spinners, Giles and Dawson, who will have the bulk of the work to do as the tourists try to level the series.