1st Test: Joe Root century, Jasprit Bumrah five-wicket haul sets up exciting final day

An exciting day five awaits fans at Trent Bridge with India needing another 157 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series against England. The hosts will look to hunt down the remaining nine wickets, as early as possible. The Indian bowlers delivered a fine performance in the second innings, making their presence felt yet again. With an overnight lead of 70 runs as the day began, the visitors kept pushing on in search of a breakthrough. Mohammed Siraj provided just that with the wicket of Rory Burns who perished for 18 runs. Siraj received quality support from Jasprit Bumrah, who accounted for the dismissal of an out-of-form Zak Crawley. Crawley edged the ball to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, earning Bumrah his first wicket.

Bumrah’s fantastic performance invites stoic resistance from Root

However, England skipper Joe Root and Dominic Sibley helped the hosts earn a lead, with a third-wicket partnership of 89 runs. Root who had registered a half-century in the first innings as well, looked well in control over the innings.

However, Bumrah made his presence felt yet again accounting for the dismissal of Sibley who recorded a well-fought 28 off 133 balls. Jonny Bairstow was the new man at the crease in this scenario. Bairstow stitched a 42-run stand with Root with the former scoring 30 runs. He was dismissed soon after by Siraj, after pulling a short delivery straight to Ravindra Jadeja at the square leg boundary.

Root was soon running out of partners, with these quick dismissals which became even more prominent after a fine 25 off 32 balls by Dan Lawrence. However, Shardul Thakur trapped Lawrence in front for his first wicket of the innings. Root continued to battle on with Jos Buttler at the other end, adding 116 runs to increase the lead to 140 in the second session.

Thakur accounted for a vital dismissal, just when the England skipper seemed to be on the verge of his 21st hundred, leaving him short of a partner yet again. The all-rounder dismissed the dangerous-looking Buttler with a fantastic delivery, making an immediate impact after tea.

Sam Curran and Root stitched together a vital partnership of 37 runs, with Root recording a magnificent century. Soon after, he had to depart as Bumrah found his rhythm, bringing an end to his excellent knock of 109. The pacer further accounted for the wicket of Curran who returned back to the pavilion following a crucial knock of 32.

Bumrah followed it up with the dismissal of Stuart Broad, celebrating his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Mohammad Shami chipped in at this point, dismissing Ollie Robinson as India were set a target of 209 for victory.

Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul recorded a solid start in testing conditions. However, Broad showcased his capabilities yet again, sending back the latter for 26 with a sensational delivery. Rohit and Cheteshwar Pujara saw through the remaining overs, setting up a sublime nail-biting finale for day five. The encounter could well go down to the final delivery.