Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes shared an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 111 as England offered some resistance in their pursuit of a world-record run chase in the third Test with India.

Buttler hit an unbeaten 67 off 115 balls and Stokes, also not out, made 42 before tea after the hosts lost four wickets during the opening session on day four.

England, aiming for an unprecedented 521 in their second innings, were 348 runs short on 173 for four as they attempt to clinch the series at Trent Bridge.

The fifth-wicket stand came after Keaton Jennings was out in the opening over of the day, before Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Ollie Pope were also dismissed to leave the hosts heading towards a resounding defeat.

Buttler completed his 93-ball half-century with a big stride into a cover drive off Jasprit Bumrah for his 10th four.

The re-introduction of Ravi Ashwin was posing problems for the left-handed Stokes. But otherwise, there appeared to be renewed belief that England may yet take this match into a final day.

Virat Kohli
India, captained by Virat Kohli, remain in control in Nottingham (Mike Egerton/PA)

The record fourth-innings score to win a Test is 418, by the West Indies against Australia in 2003.

After resuming on 23 without loss after nine overs, England suffered an almost instant blow when Jennings was caught behind off the fifth ball of a cloudy morning from Ishant Sharma โ€“ who then removed Cook in his next over, caught at second slip.

In only his second Test, Pope was off the mark first ball with an off-driven four off Ishant. Captain Root had more trouble getting started but by mid-session, the third-wicket pair had taken England to 62 without serious further alarm.

Virat Kohli celebrates the wicket of Joe Root
Virat Kohli celebrates the wicket of Joe Root (Mike Egerton/PA)

But Root then fenced an edge to second slip off Bumrah, KL Rahul holding his fifth catch of the match away to his right.

Then Pope went after an expansive drive at Mohammed Shami but instead edged high to third slip, where Virat Kohli dived across Rahul for a memorable catch.

Buttler and Stokes were therefore plunged into the crisis without a run between them, with England perhaps already effectively five down if they decide not to risk Jonny Bairstowโ€™s fractured finger, but they dug in impressively.