The out of form duo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane was the centre of focus during the fourth day of the Lord’s Test between India and England. Both batsmen hung their bats in the middle to save India from being rolled over by England. The bad lights forced early stumps with India being 181/6.
Indian openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma couldn’t give another good start to India as the former edged Mark Wood to the wicketkeeper. Rohit was looking in good flow but got out playing his favourite pull shot against Wood. When Virat Kohli walked out, India were 0/2 effectively as they had just wiped off the deficit.
Also Read: KL Rahul bats for out-of-form Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane
Kohli played some lusty shots and looked set for a big knock but Sam Curran forced him to play a false shot as he edged one to Joss Buttler. Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara was in the mood to play some old-school defensive game.
It took Pujara 35 balls to get off the mark and his first boundary came on the 118th ball. Rahane also avoided every carrot that was thrown in his direction and kept leaving the ball. Both players added 100 runs for the fourth wicket before Pujara got out for 45 runs, which came in 206 balls and had four boundaries included.
Rahane, though, notched up his fifty but got out to Moeen Ali at the wrong time when India could have gone for the killer punch. Ravindra Jadeja also couldn’t replicate his effort of the first innings as Moeen Ali clean bowled him for 3.
Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, is in the middle with Ishant Sharma. England were waiting to take the second new ball but by then the light dropped significantly and forced umpires to call early stumps.
Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar feels dropping Rahane and Pujara won’t solve batting woes
India are 154 runs ahead going into the final day and have four wickets in their hand. Pant is the last recognized batsman for India and all the hopes lie on his shoulder to rescue the ship.
Look how Twitter reacted to this game;
Should be a cracking day tomorrow!
Reaction: https://t.co/lREDRzOGb5#bbccricket #ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/RFXgqobIrP
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) August 15, 2021
Next in to bat in the pivotal moment of a massive Test at Lord’s? @RishabhPant17, just chillin.
Total hero. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/PwQAQdFCkN
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) August 15, 2021
I feel @imjadeja will have much to say on a day 5 wicket. And in a situation where the pitch starts to do things he is a real handful. India needs 50 more from here to make this a real cracker. #INDvENG
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) August 15, 2021
If THIS isn’t an attempt to alter the condition of the ball, then what is?? #BallTampering #INDvENG @HomeOfCricket pic.twitter.com/aKP0o4zfgr
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) August 15, 2021
JUST IN: Cheteshwar Pujara finds the fence after 117 balls.https://t.co/cSXRe8FIsx#ENGvIND
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) August 15, 2021
India can still save the Test #INDvENG
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) August 15, 2021
Rahane falling soon after Pujara opens up match for England. Pant and Jadeja have been in good nick, but India have a long tail so heavy responsibility on both
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 15, 2021
Love Test cricket #ENGvIND
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) August 15, 2021
