It is yet again a one-innings shootout. India started the day on the back foot at 145-3. By the stroke of lunch, it was India who were calling the shots with Rishabh Pant, batting with an injured finger, and KL Rahul showing enough steel and resilience, playing superbly. In fact, it could have been India who dictated terms thereafter had it not been for a brain-fade moment just before lunch. Ben Stokes, athletic as always, pulled off a stunning run-out which pegged India back and cut short Pant’s brilliant effort.
At lunch, it was yet again even. Things changed for England when Rahul, after completing a fine fine hundred, edged Shoaib Bashir to slip. At that point, England sensed they could indeed get the lead and call the shots. But with Ravindra Jadeja, India always had someone who has been there and done that. Yet again, it was a superb innings by Jadeja and two vital partnerships with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar meant India got closer and closer. Washington, in fact, again justified his selection by scoring valuable lower-order runs and farming the strike with the tail.
That India equalled England’s score means they will feel hugely satisfied with the effort. It also means England will have to take the initiative and do all the pushing from here on. With just two days left, India know that they have played well enough to not lose this Test. Unless there is something dramatic on day five, they should go to Manchester unscathed.
On the other hand, if the India can push hard and force a collapse or if England are adventurous enough and make a few mistakes, the game could indeed open up for India. The aggression on show from Shubman Gill and team in the day’s final over suggested that forcing a result is very much on their minds.
Yet again, all the possibilities are alive in this amazing series. Very rarely do you find it impossible to say much at the end of day three, and that’s what has happened here at Lord’s. Can India push, or will England seize the initiative on day 4?
Few will want to make a prediction, for so far at least, the series has seen multiple twists and turns. There will surely be more in store in the remaining two days. How many times has it happened that both teams are equal at the end of the first innings? This is such a series, so it’s best to sit back and enjoy it while biting your nails on occasions.
Follow RevSportz For More Updates From England vs India Series