Notes - Highlights - As it happened -
on Day 4. Lord`s - London
India start cautiously. In 10th over .
1st hour - Wood gets openers - 27/2. K L Rahul caught behind. 18/1 .
Rohit Sharma too after brilliant pull for six, failed to bouncer ploy, 27/2 .
Virat started with trade mark cover drive.
Pujara very patient as usual, opens account on 35th ball. India - 52/2 in 21st over.
Virat falls to Curran poking bit to outgoing left armer`s natural line. 55/3 -just few minutes before lunch.
56/3 -Top 3 gone in pre -Lunch session - Just 29 ahead.
England on Top. Dream start for hosts.
Hour after lunch :
Both Rahane and Pujara ,survived and growing in confidence.
Tea : Pair survived. Barrage of short pitched deliveries to Pujara by Wood. Was it reciprocation of Siraj bouncers to Bairstow or rather bodyline over to Anderson by Bumrah? India 78 ahead .
But immediately after 100 partnership :
Pujara departs to sudden good length bouncer from Wood. Was it due to wearing pitch or special efforts by Wood? 155/4.India ahead by 128 .
In walks Rishabh Pant.
Starts playing smart attacking cricket.
But Moeen shocks by getting Rahane caught behind. In recent years Rahane has found this new way to get out on simple, harmless ball by spinner. Rahane 61- 167/5.
But Moeen further shocked India by clean bowling Jadeja. India 148 ahead and in a big hole.
Root smartly doesn't take new ball seeing fading light, for 2 overs.
But light not suitable for pacers so 4th day`s play called off.
India 154 ahead .Pant and Ishant at crease.
So all Indian hopes are on Rishabh Pant to put a bit of challenging target for England. Can Pant and 4 pacers design a miraculous escape? First while batting on the fifth morning and then during bowling.
Billions are hoping. Let`s hope for a brilliant close finish.
- Vivek Ketkar
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