KL Rahul is currently unbeaten on 33 in India's second innings at the Lord's. Photo: AP
The third Test between England and India is poised for a thrilling finish. After England set a tricky target of 193 for India, the tourists found themselves struggling at 58 for 4 at stumps on Day 4, needing 135 runs to register a win with just six wickets in hand. KL Rahul, the centurion from the first innings, is currently unbeaten on 33, but the late dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck, Karun Nair for 14, captain Shubman Gill for 6, and Akash Deep, the nightwatchman, for 1, left India in a precarious situation. While Brydon Carse picked up two wickets, Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes scalped one each.
India will hope for a recovery, with Rahul set to get a new companion at the crease, while Stokes will resume his bowling to complete his fifth over. Ahead of the final day's showdown, England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick fired a warning to India, saying their bowlers aim to wrap up the game in the first hour of the fifth and final day itself.
“That last hour made it amazing. Everyone was invested, the crowd was behind the team. The buzz around the ground gave the boys a lift," said Trescothick while addressing the press after the end of the day. “It will revolve around the first hour tomorrow. How positive India are, how dominant India will be," he said, before adding, “Hopefully we will get six wickets in the first hour tomorrow.”
Earlier in the day, India bowled out England for 192 in their second innings, courtesy of a magnificent spell by spinner Washington Sundar, who picked up four wickets for 22 runs. Pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj snapped two wickets apiece, while Akash Deep took one.
India made a shaky start to their chase, with Archer sending Jaiswal packing for nought in the second over. Nair and Rahul tried to steady the innings with a 36-run stand, but Carse removed Nair and captain Gill, both LBW, in quick succession.
Day 5, nevertheless, is going to be a battle of nerves and sticking to the crease, as England bowlers will be charged up with a hostile crowd cheering them on against the Indians.
