How much does India need to avoid a follow-on against England in the 1st Chennai Test?

India vs England, 1st Test: The side which bats first and leads by at least 200 runs shall have the option of requiring the other side to follow their innings.

England players appeal for Washington Sundar's wicket during day three of the first Test match against India at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

India needed to score a minimum of 379 runs against England in the second innings of the first Test at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai to ensure visiting skipper Joe Root can't enforce the follow-on. However, as all-rounder Ben Stokes took a screamer to dismiss Jasprit Bumrah, the Virat Kohli-led side succumbed to post only 337 on the board. With a huge lead of 241 runs, the visitor decided not to enforce the follow-on.

How is the follow-on score calculated?

Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) Law 14.1.1 states “In a two-innings match of 5 days or more, the side which bats first and leads by at least 200 runs shall have the option of requiring the other side to follow their innings.”

In simpler terms, the follow-on threshold for a team batting second in a five-day red-ball game will be the difference between the first innings score of the side that batted first and 199.

FOLLOW |

However, Law 14.1.2 adds, "The same option shall be available in two-innings matches of shorter duration with the minimum leads as follows:

- 150 runs in a match of 3 or 4 days;

- 100 runs in a 2-day match;

- 75 runs in a 1-day match."

A captain shall notify the opposing skipper and the umpires of his intention and once done so, the decision cannot be changed.