Here are the five moments that defined day three.

Vihari stakes claim for long-term India spot

If a first-class average of 59.99 had not been enough to warrant his place in the side until now, then this gritty half-century over the space of two days will surely go a long way to keeping his place in a fluctuating and unstable Indian batting line-up. It was hard going on day two against an English bowling attack that was firing on all cylinders, but Hanuma Vihari reached stumps unscathed, and day three saw a more fluent approach as Vihari settled in on the world’s elite stage, bringing up his debut Test fifty from 104 balls.

Cook has fans waiting with bated breath

There aren’t many genuine fans of the gentleman’s game who will not want Cook to post three figures in his final outing for the country he has served so loyally, and his first innings 71, although his best knock of the series, felt like a disappointment for all.

On day three, Cook went about his business in classic fashion, getting off the mark with a flick off the hip for four – a shot that was once a regulation shot, something not of beauty but pure effectiveness and efficiency, but is now one of the most stunning batting actions that an English cricket fan could imagine. No-one will ever play it quite like Cook. As much as Ian Bell’s cover drive, KP’s flamingo, or Ricky Ponting’s pull, it’s his signature shot.

As we approach the conclusion of this man’s phenomenal career, all but the Indians will be pleading for a Cook ton, and the calmness in which he batted on the third day is only fuelling optimism of a true fairy-tale finish. He’s 54 runs short of a parting century, and with a more fluent-looking Root beside him, it looks written in the stars that the Chef gets his dream ending.