India reached 118 for three at lunch on day four of the fourth Test against England, needing another 74 runs to seal the series here on Monday.
The day started off on a predictable high for India as skipper Rohit Sharma took on the likes of Bashir and Anderson to punish them with timely boundaries whilst strengthened by the presence of a patient Jaiswal on the other end.
A controversial no-call from the DRS entailed as Bashir’s delivery to Jaiswal went up to the third umpire and what seemed to be the lower end of the opener’s bat striking his pad was ruled as an inside edge and hence, Jaiswal survived.
But, his luck would soon run out as Jaiswal swiped away at a peach of a fuller delivery from Joe Root, which was nicked and inspired a stellar catch from 42-year-old James Anderson.
The following period would prove to be one of danger for India, as the momentum shift ensured that skipper Rohit Sharma would depart shortly after, and newcomer Rajat Patidar’s dismal run-of-form would culminate into yet another duck for him, as India went down 3 wickets for 100 runs.
Rohit Sharma (55 off 81) scored a crucial fifty and shared an 84-run stand with opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal (37), before the seeming collapse began.
But then, Shubman Gill (18) and Ravindra Jadeja (3) took to the crease with patience and played through the rest of the session with caution to ensure that India go into lunch without losing any more wickets.
The spin duo of Bashir and Tom Hartley continue to trouble Gill with meddlesome line and length, as they push to chip away at the Indian batting order.
India will be on the lookout for the pair out there to develop a partnership and ease India’s way to victory as the hosts require just 74 runs to win the match and clinch the series for once.
Brief scores: England: 353 and 145, India: 307 and 118/3 in 37 overs (Rohit Sharma 55, Yashasvi Jaiswal 37; Shoaib Bashir 1/40).
(with inputs from agenices)
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