After bowling England out for 192 in their second innings, India’s chase got off to a poor start on Day 4 of the third Test at Lord’s. The visitors ended the day at 58 for 4, still needing 135 runs to win. If India manages to pull off the chase, they will take a 2-1 lead in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
KL Rahul, who had scored a century in the first innings, once again looked solid at the crease and remained unbeaten on 33. However, England struck a big blow on the final ball of the day, with captain Ben Stokes removing nightwatchman Akash Deep, increasing the pressure on India ahead of the final day.
India had a tough start, losing Yashasvi Jaiswal (0), Karun Nair (14), and captain Shubman Gill (6) cheaply. The team now faces a challenging task on the last day of the Test.
Jaiswal was caught off a sharp bouncer from Jofra Archer and couldn’t get into position to pull it. Nair, who made 14 from 33 balls, once again failed to convert a decent start and was trapped lbw by Brydon Carse after misjudging the line and offering no shot. Carse then delivered a big breakthrough by dismissing Gill with a sharp in-swinger that hit him on the pads. He had troubled Gill throughout the over and finally got the reward.
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KL Rahul had a narrow escape when Chris Woakes dropped a return catch off his own bowling. Despite the pressure, Rahul played some classy cover drives during the final hour, showing great control against both Woakes and Archer.
Earlier in the day, Indian pacers managed to generate awkward bounce from the Nursery End, but England’s bowlers, except for Stokes, weren’t able to do the same before stumps.
After three evenly matched days, with both teams posting identical first-innings scores of 387, England edged slightly ahead on Day 4.
England were bowled out for 192 in 62.1 overs in their second innings. Washington Sundar was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 22. Mohammed Siraj (2 for 31) and Jasprit Bumrah (2 for 38) claimed two wickets each, while Akash Deep took one.
Resuming the third session at 175 for 6, England lost their last four wickets for just 17 runs. Sundar removed Ben Stokes (33) shortly after tea and then cleaned up the last man, Shoaib Bashir (2). Bumrah chipped in with the wickets of Chris Woakes (10) and Brydon Carse (1), helping India wrap up the innings quickly.