England will have to produce a Test world-record run chase to win the third Test against India after falling 438 runs behind at tea on day three.
Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 93 out of 270 for three continued the tourists’ dominance at Trent Bridge.
England, in defence of their 2-0 series lead, must therefore better West Indies’ successful pursuit of 418 against Australia in Antigua 15 years ago if they are to claim victory.
The hosts’ travails were compounded when wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow had to leave the field after taking a painful blow to the left hand as he went to gather a delivery from James Anderson during the opening session.
He was sent for X-rays and in early afternoon the ECB confirmed he had sustained a small fracture to his left middle finger.
Bairstow was back at the ground but only to watch from the dressing-room balcony while Jos Buttler continued to deputise for him behind the stumps. However, an ECB spokesman announced the likelihood is that Bairstow will be able to bat.
England were containing the run rate with disciplined bowling, but could not find a breakthrough.
Kohli played and missed several times, rather than edged; then, when Stuart Broad thought he had a chance of lbw on DRS, the India captain got a sliver of bat on ball before pad.
The return of Ben Stokes brought some progress.
With his third delivery from the pavilion end, Stokes found a little extra bounce and the outside-edge of Cheteshwar Pujara’s forward-defence as Alastair Cook completed the dismissal with a straightforward catch at first slip.
Pujara’s 72 had taken 208 balls.
Kohli’s new partner was Ajinkya Rahane, reprising a partnership which had accrued 159 in the first innings.
By mid-afternoon, India were 236 for three and had a lead of 404.
They added a further 34 runs by tea, with Kohli seven shy of his century and Rahane having made 17 off 48 balls.
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