Some days in Test cricket just have that special something, don't they? Day 4 of the third Test at Lord's was one of those days—an absolute rollercoaster of emotions where the momentum swung back and forth like a pendulum. India ended the day wobbling at 58/4, chasing a tricky 193 for victory, after a day of high drama that has set up a blockbuster final day at the Home of Cricket.
Key Highlights
- ✓ India finishes Day 4 in a precarious position at 58/4, still needing 135 runs to win.
- ✓ England captain Ben Stokes bowled nightwatchman Akash Deep with the final ball of the day.
- ✓ Washington Sundar was the star for India with the ball, claiming an impressive 4/22.
- ✓ KL Rahul, India's first-innings centurion, remains unbeaten on 33, holding the key to the chase.
- ✓ The thrilling third Test is perfectly poised for a dramatic final day at Lord's.
The Sundar Show Steals the Afternoon
Earlier in the day, it really felt like India was taking control, and we have one man to thank for that: Washington Sundar. He came on and delivered a masterful spell of off-spin bowling that completely dismantled England’s middle and lower order. England had been trying to build a solid lead, with Joe Root (40) and Ben Stokes (33) putting together a defiant 67-run partnership. They were looking comfortable, and the lead was growing.
But then, Sundar happened. First, he got the big one—Joe Root. The England star, who was a rock in the first innings, tried a sweep shot, but the ball drifted in and snuck past his bat to clatter into the leg-stump. He was bowled behind his legs, a dismissal that sent shockwaves through the English camp. You could feel the tide turning right then and there. In fact, the wicket was so massive that India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, couldn't contain himself and was seen hurling a mouthful of expletives from the famous Lord's balcony in sheer, raw excitement.
Just when you thought it couldn't get better for India, Sundar struck again. He dismissed the dangerous Ben Stokes, who went for what was described as an "ugly slog" only to see his stumps shattered. Stokes' frustrated reaction told the whole story. Sundar wasn't done, as he also picked up the wickets of Jamie Smith and Shoaib Bashir, finishing with incredible figures of 4/22. Alongside Jasprit Bumrah, who chipped in with two wickets including a searing yorker to get rid of Brydon Carse, India managed to bowl England out for 192, setting up what seemed like a gettable target of 193.
A Shaky Start to a Tense Chase
With 193 on the board to win and take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, you'd think India would have felt confident. But Lord's on Day 4 is a tricky beast, and England came out firing. The chase got off to the worst possible start when Jofra Archer, in just the second over, found the edge of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had to depart for a seven-ball duck. The pressure was immediately on.
In came Karun Nair to join KL Rahul, the man who had already scored a century in the first innings. The two of them knew they had a massive job to do. They cautiously began to rebuild, putting on a hard-fought partnership of 36. It wasn't pretty, but it was necessary. Rahul, in particular, looked composed, playing some beautiful shots and holding one end up as he reached an unbeaten 33 off 47 balls, an innings that included six boundaries. He looked like the man who could guide India home.
England's Late Fightback Ignites Lord's
Just as it seemed India was steadying the ship, England's Brydon Carse produced a spell that completely changed the complexion of the game. In back-to-back overs, he struck twice to put the hosts right back on top. First, he trapped Karun Nair LBW for 14, ending his 33-ball stay. The very next over, he produced a near-perfect delivery to dismiss India's captain, Shubman Gill, also LBW, for just 6. Suddenly, India was reeling.
The atmosphere at Lord's turned into a cauldron. Every ball was an event. With the light fading, nightwatchman Akash Deep came to the crease. The goal was simple: survive until stumps. But England's captain, Ben Stokes, had other ideas. In a move of pure cricketing theatre, he brought himself on to bowl the final over of the day. And with the very last delivery, he produced a moment of magic, detonating Akash Deep's off-stump with a ball that castled him completely. The roar from the crowd was deafening. It was a stunning end to a dizzying day of cricket.
Conclusion
So, here we are. The third Test is hanging on a knife's edge. India needs 135 more runs to win, while England needs just six more wickets. It's an arm-wrestle that has reached its climax. Washington Sundar's brilliance with the ball gave India a fantastic opportunity, but the late strikes from Carse and that final, dramatic wicket from Stokes have thrown the result into glorious uncertainty. All eyes will be on KL Rahul on Day 5; his calm, composed presence is now India's biggest hope of getting over the line and securing a 2-1 series lead. It’s a short, sharp final day ahead, and you won’t want to miss a single ball.
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