After losing early wickets on Day 4, Pujara and Rahane’s 100-run partnership gave India hope, but England dismissed them both to take control of the second Test.
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England took control of the second Test after dismissing settled batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane towards the end of the fourth day. After losing early wickets on Sunday, Pujara and Rahane stitched together a crucial 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket, giving hope to the visitors. However, the home side clawed back into the match, dismissing both players at the fag end of the day to take control of the second Test. India reached 181 for six in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day and took an overall lead of 154 runs. Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma were on 14 and 4 respectively when play was called off eight overs short of the required 90 overs due to bad light at Lord’s.
Openers KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and skipper Virat Kohli departed early as India were languishing at 55 for three at the stroke of lunch. Rahane and Pujara then showed incredible resistance to add exactly 100 runs for the fourth wicket. Towards the end of the day, both the batsmen – Pujara (45) and Rahane (61) – fell along with Ravindra Jadeja (3) to give England the upper hand. With momentum on their side, the hosts will back themselves to dismiss the remaining Indian batsmen quickly on Day 5 to chase a simple enough target for victory.
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Scorecard & Clips: https://t.co/Wh41RMk89g
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Earlier, the third day came to an end with England being bowled out for 391 in their first innings. It was in reply to India’s 364 all out. Rohit and Rahul entered the middle at the start of Day 4. Rahul never got going and it was his partner, who was scoring the runs. It was no surprise when Rahul (5 off 30 balls) was the first one to depart.
Mark Wood got the breakthrough after his pacy delivery took a slight edge of Rahul’s bat, which was comfortably taken by Jos Buttler. Soon England’s joy doubled up. It was Wood again as his short-ball strategy worked. After pulling one for six, Rohit (21 off 36 balls) could not resist the opportunity presented to him again in the same over. But, this one was closer to his left shoulder and the Indian batsman failed to control it as Moeen Ali did the rest at the deep square leg.
Skipper Virat Kohli entered the pitch. Kohli was in fine touch, hitting four boundaries in his short stay in the middle. Sam Curran, however, brought an end to his cameo as the Indian captain edged one to Buttler. Kohli departed for 20 off 31 balls as India were in deep trouble at 55/3.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane did not let the pressure get to them as both batsmen held their ground firm. They looked solid in the middle and blocked everything thrown at them while getting the odd singles and boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking. Both players took their time and were not in a rush.
Rahane brought up his well-deserved fifty under immense pressure with a boundary. But Wood once got the decisive breakthrough, dismissing Pujara (45 off 206 balls) to bring England right back into the contest. Soon after, Moeen Ali forced Rahane (61 off 146 balls) to edge one to Buttler and India were in big trouble.
Things only got worse for the visitors as Ali clean bowled Ravindra Jadeja (3 off 5 balls) next. India ended the day at 181 for six, taking an overall lead of 154 runs. Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma will hope to stay longer in the crease on the final day to set a decent target for Indian bowlers to defend.
