England were completely on the backfoot after being shot out for a paltry total of 255 runs in reply to India’s huge first innings total of 455. But their fast bowler Stuart Broad ensured that his team remains in the game by not letting the hosts score big in the second innings. On a pitch where other pacers were struggling, the lanky pacer kept on troubling the Indian batsmen and helped the visitors to dismiss the hosts for only 205 runs. In fact, Virat Kohli’s men were reeling at 162 for 9 at one stage due to Broad’s heroic spell, but some useful contribution from Jayant Yadav and Mohammad Shami helped India to cross the 200-run mark. Broad finished the innings with 4 wickets for 33 runs.

It was very much expected that the bowler, during his press conference, would be definitely asked about how he managed such an inspirational bowling display in unfavourable conditions. As expected, he was asked about his bowling performance and the English pacer credited former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan for his brilliant display. He revealed that he picked up Zaheer’s advice during the team’s historic tour to India four years ago. Although he remained wicketless on that tour but made sure to make full use of Zaheer’s advice during the tour.

“I remember Zaheer Khan was very good at it, bowling slightly off the pace and then really surprise you with a quick inswinger. That’s something Jimmy and I talked about. Try to get batsmen bowl at slightly slow pace, then hit with a quicker pace at the stumps. Jimmy did that to Pujara. That seems to be the plan and it helped on a wearing pitch,” Broad said after the end of fourth day’s play.

Meanwhile, chasing 405 for an improbable win, the visitors were 87 for 2 at the end of the fourth day.