India's Cheteshwar Pujara avoids a short ball from England's Mark Wood during the fourth day of the 2nd Test. (AP)India vs England (IND vs ENG) 2nd Test, Day 4: England edge ahead in the Lord’s Test at the end of Day 4 despite a dogged 100-run partnership from Pujara and Rahane as bad light forces early stumps with India 154 ahead with 4 wickets in hand.
LIVE | India vs England 2nd Test, Day 5
India reached 181/6 in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day of the second Test against England on Sunday. The overall lead stood at 154 runs for the visitors. Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma were batting on 14 and 4 respectively when play was called off eight short of the stipulated 90 overs because of bad light at the Lord’s.
Match EndedIndia tour of England, 2021 - 2nd Test
England
391 (128.0) & 120 (51.5)vs
India
364 (126.1) & 298/8 decMatch Ended ( 2nd Test )
India beat England by 151 runs
India beat England by 151 runs
Live Blog
Moeen Ali explains it was a tactical decision by England to not bowl more overs and call stumps. "Joe wanted to bowl the seamers and it wasn't allowed. It was a tactical decision (by Root not to give quick runs). I completely agree with it. One party (within the team) wanted to stay out there and other didn't!)" Ali told Sky Sports
An entertaining day of cricket comes to a close. India have a lead of 154 and Rishabh Pant at the crease heading into Day 5. On a gritty action filled day, India scored 181 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, but it was the hundred run stand between Rahane & Pujara that stole the show.
Moeen Ali beats Jadeja's defence and the sound of timber! And that too right before the second new ball. India are 175/6, leading by 148 runs. Ishant Sharma has walked in.
Against the run of play India lost Rahane! Poor shot selection though! Moeen Ali is bowling well and has seemed threatening at times and now he will have 2 left handers to bowl at. Worrying times for India with a very long tail ahead! Fine knock by Rahane. He was affected slightly by cramps earlier. The match again turns for England.
An unplayable delivery gets rid of Cheteshwar Pujara for 45 off 206 balls. Pujara’s gritty innings comes to an end He showed some serious mental toughness. It is the 13th time that Pujara has faced 200-plus balls in an away Test. However, quite strangely, Wood is off the attack when he just took a wicket. IND- 158/4
Another cheer for Pujara, this time on the 200th delivery that he faces. Meanwhile Root decides to bowl for the first time this series, replacing Curran in the 72nd over. IND- 151/3 , lead by 124 runs
A Test match fifty against for Ajinkya Rahane - his 24th in Tests. Solid innings so far. Indian vice captain back in form with a brilliant knock under pressure. Applause from the Indian balcony! IND- 139/3
That was close!
Not much happening for the fast bowlers with the old ball but Moeen Ali is getting the odd ball to turn. Rahane and Pujara with their backs against the wall are continuing to fight it out in the middle. IND- 119/3, lead by 92 runs
Rahane and Pujara successfully stave off England till the Tea break. India's lead now 78 runs. 50 runs of which have been added by this pair. Pujara batting at a relatively healthier S/R of 19. Rahane batting at a S/R of 32.
Mark Wood's reintroduction as the second session draws to a close gets the Indians into some trouble again. Pujara gets a thick outside edge to go down to the third man fence for four. India cross 100.
IND 103/3, lead by 76
Pujara blocks his 100th ball. Loud cheers all around. His score still steady at 12. Moeen Ali now brought on for the first time. England have men in catching positions, looking to ramp up the pressure. Rahane steps out and drives on the leg side. India's middle order holds on.
IND 81/3, lead by 54
Curran and Robinson are now thrown into the attack with Rahane and Pujara having fended off the Anderson-Wood barrage. Rahane now finds some joy, he finds the fence once each against both bowlers. Pujara still batting at a strike rate of 11, now having faced 96 balls. This Test could of course be another one of those matches where his brand of 'intent' - that dreaded word - could save the match for India.
IND 75/3, lead by 48
Pujara and Rahane, their reputations on the line, India's fortunes in this Test on the line, attempt to present a straight face of the bat with their backs to the wall. Anderson and Wood put them under intense scrutiny. Boundaries have dried up. Runs are at a premium.
IND 64/3, lead by 37
The Lunch break is done. Mark Wood, the most incisive bowler of the morning session, starts proceedings for England. Rahane and Pujara resume their vigil. Anderson operates from the other end. India's lead still just 29. A lot of rebuilding required from the middle order.
Pujara and Rahane now in the middle. India have a slender lead. Both these batsmen have been under fire this series so far, their individual contributions have been questioned so far. Now, with India in trouble at the 'home of cricket', can they show what India's backbone is made of?
Robinson bowls what could be the last over of the session. The crowd is raucuous. Rahane faces. It's an inswinger. Coming back into his pads. Umpire says no.
IND 56/3 at Lunch, lead by 29 runs
Kohli gone! Huge wicket! Sam Curran gets his man this time. Gets an outswinger to kiss Kohli's edge on its way to the keeper. Kohli gives in to temptation. He goes for 20 at the stroke of Lunch. Rahane in at 5.
IND 55/3, lead by 28
Sam Curran and Ollie Robinson now operating for England. Kohli batters Robinson for two boundaries in an over, India's 50 comes up with that, Kohli moving his score along fluently. Pujara scores his second run, with a thick outside edge. Curran gets a big LBW appeal against Kohli, but England burn a Review in going for it.
IND 55/2, lead by 28
Kohli finds the fence twice early in his innings. Pujara, on the other hand, takes 35 balls to get off the mark. A thunderous applause from Lord's as Pujara scores his first run of the innings. A fist punch from Kohli for him too. 'Pujara', 'Pujara', shouts the crowd.
IND 43/2, lead by 16
KL Rahul survives an LBW appeal from James Anderson. But a couple of overs later, Mark Wood gets him to nick behind to Buttler. The in-form Rahul departs for 5 in the second innings. Rohit is joined by Pujara, with India still trailing. Mark Wood also finds Rohit's wicket. India have lost both their openers. Kohli and Pujara in the middle, with the lead just having been regained.
IND 36/2, lead by 9
Rohit Sharma gets going with a couple of boundaries. One against Robinson, and then against Mark Wood, who replaces him from Anderson's opposite end. One Indian opener is into double digits. Rahul, who scored a 100 in the first innings, yet to find his shots.
IND 17/0, trail by 10
Singles off the first balls faced from both Rahul and Rohit Sharma. But it's a tough examination for the Indian openers on the morning otherwise. Anderson gets Rahul looking a little uncomfortable against his variable swing.
ENG 3/0, trail by 24
The covers have come off from the pitch. The spotlight now moves to the Indian openers and England's new ball attack. Live action ready to begin. James Anderson bowls the first over.
Joe Root and KL Rahul's centuries have been the best performances from the sides so far. Siraj and Ishant were the wreckers-in-chief for India in England's first innings. Who will be the heroes today?
Two days to go. Two innings to go. England, despite the 180* by Root, are just 27 runs ahead after the first two innings by India and the hosts. India will begin their second innings today. We are a little more than an hour away from the first ball of the fourth day.