With the Edgbaston Test drifting further away from England, Harry Brook resorted to some playful banter to coax Shubman Gill into declaring.
At tea on day four, India placed themselves comfortably on 304-4 in their second innings, their lead swelling to 484 runs. Gill, India's new Test captain, continued his golden run with a third 100+ score in his fourth innings this series, complementing his 269 in the first innings with an unbeaten 100*.
Giving him company was Ravindra Jadeja, whose rather sedate knock of 25 off 68 left many scratching their heads.
Harry Brook v Shubman Gill: Playful banter on the field
With all options failing and their 1-0 lead under threat, Harry Brook – England's hero in the first innings alongside Jamie Smith – decided to engage in some playful banter with Gill.
On day four, Brook, England's white-ball captain, was heard chirping at Gill from the slip cordon more than once. He first said: "450 declare?", probably hoping to prise out an estimated target from the India captain. Gill did not reciprocate, but Brook continued to pursue.
Also read: Full list – Every record broken by Jamie Smith in his Edgbaston epic
Later, Brook was heard telling Gill: "It's raining tomorrow," signalling at the weather prediction for Sunday, when the afternoon is expected to have around 50 per cent chance of precipitation.
"Half day. Afternoon it's raining," he continued.
"Bad luck for us," Gill cheekily responded.
"Take the draw!", said Brook in return.
India carried on after tea, taking their lead past 500. While the target might be too steep to dream for most, India would have been wary of finding the sweet spot between having enough in the bank and not leaving England with enough time to realistically chase in a day.
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The Headingley Test's final day would also be fresh in their minds: left with 371 to chase, England sped through to a five-wicket win, hitting 352 on the final day to take a crucial 1-0 lead.
For context, the highest fourth-innings total in a Test is 654-5 by England, back in 1931, while the record for the highest successful chase still rests with the West Indies, who scored 418-7 to win against Australia in 2003.
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