The evening was balmy, even mildly chilly. But the audience had disposed of their jumpers and windbreakers long ago; a sweaty suspense had gripped them in the intense see-sawing game, which is replete with possibilities and could potentially experience another wild twist on Sunday.

The day might not have unfolded as they wished. When they started from their homes to the Eden pilgrimage, navigating chaotic traffic, they would have wished for a Rishabh Pant masterpiece or a Shubman Gill masterclass. But it turned out to be a day for the sensationalists. A cluster of wickets, of suboptimal theatrics, the red ball swaying erratically like a punch-drunk alcoholic, and a few lusty blows in between to keep the match on a knife-edge.

The hosts, after eking out a 30-run lead, valuable in the

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