India need 135 more runs to win. England need six wickets. And the Lord’s Test is set up for a thrilling finish, with the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy living up to its billing with every passing day.
The first innings was a dead heat at 387 apiece — a statistical rarity, a psychological equaliser. But what followed was anything but symmetrical. Day 4 exploded into life like a firecracker under a dark sky. Fourteen wickets tumbled. Tempers flared. Plans unravelled. The pace of the match shifted from pedestrian to panic, as though Rishabh Pant’s batting plans had taken control of the day itself. Even the famously reserved patrons in the pavilion found themselves on their feet, breath held, ties loosened. | Lord’s Test Day 4 Score and Highlights |
The day ended with Ben Stokes rattling the stumps of India’s nightwatchman, Akash Deep, and leaving them reeling at 58 for 4. The whole of India will sleep better because KL Rahul, India’s crisis man, remained unbeaten at 33 to follow up his gritty first-innings hundred.
India have never chased more than 140 at Lord’s, and targets of 190+ have been successfully chased only six times in the ground’s storied Test history. England, sensing blood, cracked the contest open in the final hour of the day. Brydon Carse, charged up and snarling, landed two killer blows — removing captain Shubman Gill (6) and Karun Nair (14). Jofra Archer, with a bouncer that screamed of intent, forced a wild shot from Yashasvi Jaiswal (0), who holed out recklessly.
The sparks from Day 3 lit a full blaze on Sunday. Shubman Gill’s frustration with Zak Crawley’s time-wasting ended in a heated exchange on Saturday; England’s reply was to turn up the volume. KL Rahul and Akash Deep were met with barbs and buzz as they tried to slow the clock. Carse had a few choice words for Akash too. The tension reached a crescendo and then some.
Just when it looked like nightwatchman Akash would survive the cauldron of seaming deliveries, sharp words and ordinary umpiring, Stokes knocked his stumps over.
Ben Stokes, who again failed with the bat, remained a galvanising presence for England. He bowled a probing spell and made crucial bowling changes that turned up the pressure on India in that final session.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir, seen clutching a Dukes ball like a stress toy throughout the day, watched with pride as his bowlers dismantled England’s batting. But those smiles turned nervous as India lost four quick wickets before stumps, with the balcony falling silent and all eyes now fixed on Monday.
– Ends