ENG v IND, 2nd Test: England On Top Despite Pujara-Rahane Show At Lord's

A hard grind knocks from Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have given India an outside chance to save this test as the visitors stretched the lead to 154 at the end of day 4 at Lord's. Resumi

Cricket Image for ENG v IND, 2nd Test: England On Top Despite Pujara-Rahane Show At Lord's (Image Source: AFP)

Hard grind knocks from Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have given India an outside chance to save this test as the visitors stretched the lead to 154 at the end of day 4 at Lord's. 

Resuming the day trailing by 27 runs, Rohit Sharma began the proceedings with a straight drive on what looked like a flat batting pitch. However, an early introduction of Mark Wood turned out to be a successful plot by captain Joe Root as the centurion of the previous inning KL Rahul edged one to the keeper. 

Rohit looked comfortable while at the crease and even pulled a six off Wood however the bowler had the last laugh as another attempt for the glory shot got him caught at deep square leg. 

Virat Kohli started off with a classy cover drive as he along with Pujara began the revival process. Pujara defended 34 deliveries to finally get off the mark on the 34th ball, which was also cheered by the Lord's crowd. 

Kohli hit four fours and was finally looking to bat long enough to help India get a good score but once again poked an outside off delivery off Sam Curran to get himself caught behind. 

Resuming the 2nd session at 56/3, Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane turned their ultra-defensive mode on as England bowlers didn't give them any freebies whatsoever. 

Pujara, who scored his 1st run on his 35th ball in this inning, scored his 12th run after facing 100 balls. Wood tried to trap India's number 3 batter with a bouncer barrage but didn't get the success he would have liked as Pujara showed discipline to counter him. 

Rahane also showed his superb defensive technique and didn't 'throw' his wicket away, something which he has done in recent history. 

It was the session Pujara and Rahane really wanted to have more than India.

The final session once again saw twists and turns in the game. The first hour looked like a session that was turning out to be favorable for India as Pujara and Rahane began to find gaps. However, in the second half, Moeen Ali turned it towards England. 

It all began with Wood finding the perfect bounce to surprise a well-set Pujara, who ended up gloving it towards the second slip. Soon, Rahane, who had hit a classy half-century, got a fine edge off Ali. 

Pujara(45) and Rahane(61) batted for 297 deliveries together and added 100 runs. 

It didn't take Moeen much time to bowl a beauty to the new batter, a left-hander, Jadeja. The ball turned just the perfect amount to hit the off-stump as England took the upper hand in the Lord's test on day 4. 

Brief Score: 

India - 364/10 & 181/6 
England - 391/10