You strain every sinew, you drain limb and mind, and finally break through the Wall. Exhausted, you look up and find Jumbo staring at you, eyeball to eyeball. Take your pick! Makes you wonder if breaking through the Wall was a good idea after all!After an exhilarating days play, India are on the threshold of what should be a creditable victory. India got to 338 in their inning, which looked far fetched at 153/5 ( Dhoni for 16) and again when Rahul fell at 229, for 95, which may turn out to be both a match saving and winning innings rolled into one. 

This was a day on which several players raised their game. Rahul saved the team from collapse with crucial partnerships with Jaffer and Pathan. He came to bat at 18/1 and was sixth out at 229. Pathan batted beautifully for a fast 52 ( 58 balls), including 5 fours and one six. His driving on the off is majestic. Peppered by short balls, he played a couple of good pulls. Of all our batsmen, Rahul and Irfan looked the most assured against the short ball - one in defence, the other in offence.

Bhajji smashed his way to 36 with 7 fours, Kumble got 32 and Munaf scored a run a ball 11 with a 4 and a six. Each run was crucial to our 38 run lead. Well done, boys. The last 5 wickets fetched 185.

The English batsmen appeared hesitant and struggled. Munaf drew first blood, getting Cook to edge to Dhoni ( 7/1). Strauss left for 13 after a wretched 64 ball tenure at the crease ( 50/2)  - his nightmare in India continues. Loyalty is not one of Lady Luck's traits. Kevin Pietersen has benefited most from the generosity of fielders and umpires so far. He was jilted today, given caught off the forearm ( 55/3). He left the field spewing expletives - typical, that. He is Bhajji's only wicket in this test so far. To be fair, Harbhajan bowled better today.

Collingwood and Bell were snapped up by Kumble and England finished the day on 112/5 for a net lead of 74. Kumble was in his element and seems energized by his 500th. wicket. He has 8 wickets in this test so far - a number sure to increase. Flintoff ( 16) and Jones ( 1) are at the crease. They will both have to bat long and big if England are to have any chance of saving this match. This makes for a riveting day's play tomorrow. With Jumbo and the Wall on song, we have witnessed a tango of heavyweights, quite literally! The last steps however, are yet to be danced.