Can England Secure Victory at Lord's in the 3rd Test Against India?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- England's strong bowling performance made a significant impact on India's batting order.
- Washington Sundar's 4 wickets were pivotal in restricting England's total.
- KL Rahul's resilience is crucial for India's chase.
- Momentum shifts are pivotal in this tightly contested match.
- The final day promises excitement as both teams aim for victory.
London, July 14 (NationPress) A thrilling conclusion is anticipated in the third Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Lord’s, as England wrapped up day four with India struggling at 58/4 in 17.4 overs, needing 193 runs to win on Sunday.
On a day that witnessed 14 wickets tumble, off-spin all-rounder Washington Sundar showcased his skills with a remarkable 4-22, helping to dismiss England for 192 in 62.1 overs. Joe Root was the top scorer for England with 40 runs, but his dismissal by Sundar before tea sparked a dramatic collapse, with the hosts slipping from 154/4 to 192 all out.
Alongside Sundar's impressive four wickets, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah claimed two wickets each in explosive spells, while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep chipped in with one wicket apiece, as India successfully capitalized on the new ball, generating inconsistent bounce and preventing a lower-order resurgence.
Chasing 193 for a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, India stumbled early, losing four wickets, including three in a frantic final half-hour, where Ben Stokes bowled out Akash Deep on the last ball, shifting momentum heavily in England’s favor ahead of day five.
India still has first-innings centurion KL Rahul at the crease, unbeaten on 33, and will rely on him to remain until the end to secure the remaining 135 runs on an eagerly awaited day five.
India's chase got off to a rocky start as Jaiswal, looking uneasy, was dismissed for a seven-ball duck, caught off a delivery from Archer. However, Rahul managed to settle in after a fortunate escape when Chris Woakes dropped a catch off his own bowling, going on to score four boundaries with elegant strokes.
Despite Rahul's resistance, wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Karun Nair fell victim to a brilliant delivery from Brydon Carse, while skipper Shubman Gill struggled and was struck by another nip-backer from Carse, narrowly avoiding a more severe fate.
With the crowd rallying behind England, Stokes bowled out Akash on the final delivery, raising England’s spirits ahead of a crucial day five. Meanwhile, India's pace attack made effective use of the new ball, putting England under pressure.
Bumrah troubled Zak Crawley with a rising delivery, and Siraj nearly trapped him with a wobble ball, but the review indicated it was missing the stumps. Crawley eventually edged a ball from Bumrah for four before Ben Duckett fell after trying to pull Siraj.
After lunch, Stokes and Root pushed past the 100-run mark before Sundar struck again, dismissing Root after a successful sweep shot. Stokes received a reprieve when Gill missed a run-out chance, but Sundar soon bowled him out for 33.
Bumrah followed suit with a stunning yorker to send Carse back for just one run. Sundar fittingly wrapped up England’s innings, claiming yet another wicket with his drifting delivery, marking the twelfth English batter to be bowled in this Test. With England snagging four more wickets, the stage is set for a captivating finish in this thrilling Test match.
Brief Scores: England 387 and 192 in 62.1 overs (Joe Root 40, Ben Stokes 33; Washington Sundar 4-22, Mohammed Siraj 2-31) lead India 387 and 58/4 in 17.4 overs (KL Rahul 33 not out; Brydon Carse 2-11) by 135 runs