India stutter to 58/4 in chase of 193 after Washington Sundar floors England with four-fer
London: Washington Sundar put India in the best possible position to win the Lord’s Test with a four-wicket haul before batters stuttered to 58 for four at stumps on day four, chasing 193 on a rapidly deteriorating pitch here on Sunday.
After the good work of the pacers, Washington made the ball talk with his off-spin, his timely strikes allowing India to skittle out England for 192 in the final session.
Mohammed Siraj made the difference in the morning before Jasprit Bumrah returned to polish the tail.
At stumps, India stuttered to 58 for four, having lost Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, captain Shubman Gill and night watchman Akash Deep. With the crowd egging on the home team in the last few overs, every ball was made into an event.
India gave England a taste of their own medicine, deliberately delaying the proceedings with K L Rahul (33 off 47) and Akash in the middle. Ben Stokes castled Akash on what turned out to be the final ball of the day, setting up a thrilling finish on day five.
Jaiswal fell pulling a short ball from Archer while Nair misjudged the length from Brydon Carse and was lbw. Carse then removed Gill leg-before with a sharp in-dipper. Rahul survived a tough return catch to Woakes and counterattacked with crisp cover drives.
Earlier, India’s pacers kept England in check. Siraj took out Duckett and Pope in a tight spell from the Pavilion End, aided by the inconsistent bounce. Bumrah unsettled Crawley again, hitting the bat handle before being replaced by Nitish Reddy.Reddy, who had struck twice in the first innings, removed Crawley again—caught at gully by Jaiswal. Akash Deep then dismissed Harry Brook (23) with a ball that knocked over middle stump after Brook had tried to take on the bowling with aggressive strokes.
In the afternoon, Washington picked up Root and Jamie Smith in quick succession. Root, after surviving a close DRS call off Siraj, was bowled while sweeping Washington. Smith was bowled as well after misjudging a delivery that stayed low.
Jadeja also got into the game with some turn, and Bumrah returned to end the innings with two quick strikes, including Stokes for 40. England lost their last five wickets for 17 runs, setting up a tense final day with India needing 135 more.
