The third Test between India and England at Lord’s is set for a dramatic finish. With just 135 runs needed and six wickets in hand, India face a tense final day in their bid to take a 2-1 lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Chasing a modest target of 193, the visitors ended Day 4 at 58/4, having lost key batters Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Karun Nair, which has slightly tilted the momentum in England’s favour.
Former India coach Anil Kumble believes that KL Rahul is the key to India’s hopes on Day 5.
“KL Rahul is going to be the main man (for India). If India are to go past this total tomorrow, he needs to be there till the end — not just give India a good start,” Kumble said in his analysis on JioHotstar. “This is going to be a very important knock. If India have to cross the line, KL Rahul will have to play a major role.”
Rahul’s Composure Impresses Kumble
Rahul, who scored a century in the first innings, is unbeaten on 33 off 47 balls and has looked in control despite an early scare.
“Early on, I thought he looked a bit like Joe Root, reaching out to the ball, and that’s when there was a chance offered to Chris Woakes. He was lucky to be dropped. But from that moment on, he started waiting for the ball to come onto him, and once he did that, he looked the part — just like he did in the first innings,” Kumble observed.
With Rishabh Pant expected to bat next, Kumble believes the pair needs to build a strong partnership to take India home.
“(There will be) No draw, that’s for sure… India will need a massive partnership from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant tomorrow,” he concluded.
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