India end Day 4 at Lord's with a lead of 154 runs after a long partnership by Pujara & Rahane

[Bewal Express]

Against this weak England batting lineup where the top 3 are walking wickets, India already have enough and with Pants batting, they may add another 60. India would have to bowl badly for England to win.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Then it says more about our falling batting standards.

No wonder Jadeja has been totally toothless with the ball in all 3 tests he has played in England this summer. If his sole role is to pickup the overrate for the team then you can't hope for too many wickets from him.

Ok let me put it this way:

Why do we need to think of his as a pure bat?

Think of him as a batting AR.

The likes we want Pandya to be.

One who contributes with the bat and helps give a breather to our pacers.

Also, he has been averaging a whopping 60 odd in the last couple of years I think.

I don't think there are many or any batting ARs right now who have Jaddu's numbers.

He strengthens the team big time.

 

[Bewal Express]

This is bubbling up nicely. Could be an absolute thriller tomorrow evening!

Ind get Root they win, he is due for fail. Ind win on the cards.

 

[Last Monetarist]

I would say touch concerned.

This game is England's to lose and they don't want any hiccups.

I think what happened in the last 20-30 minutes would have shaped their views.

Before that, we were talking about how even a 220 lead is a cakewalk.

I am inclined to change my mind on the Rahane and Pujara partnership seeing how the ball was turning for Moeen and the inconsistent bounce for Wood. I am sure the likes of Sharma, Shami, Bumrah, and Siraj will be able to take advantage of the up and down pitch if the target is around 200.

 

[Ab Fan]

It won't be easy for Pant and tail tomorrow morning with Anderson charged in swinging the new bowl and probably Wood or Robinson from the other end will look to blow away the tail.

England are favourites here and Pant will need support from other end for having any chance for India to get past 200.

The decision to not play Ashwin is backfiring and it is looking like what could be a difference-maker in terms of the consequence of the game.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

How can people defend Pujara's inning today? How is he the hero of today lol? No one is asking him to score at a strike rate of 60 but at least learn to rotate strike. Guy takes 50 balls to score his first 5 runs. Pant on the other hand took only 3 balls to score the same. In the end Pujara only scored 45 runs. Looked more like an inning to save his career than the one to help India.

 

[Rohan]

Ind get Root they win, he is due for fail. Ind win on the cards.

Thoda zyada ho gaya with India win on the cards.

I hope you are right.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I am inclined to change my mind on the Rahane and Pujara partnership seeing how the ball was turning for Moeen and the inconsistent bounce for Wood. I am sure the likes of Sharma, Shami, Bumrah, and Siraj will be able to take advantage of the up and down pitch if the target is around 200.

I hear you.

But I don't think that thinking will useful long term.

Based on the data they had at that time, it was a poor knock.

Ok fighting in one aspect.

But overall poor.

if situations changes and turns it into a winning effort, you don't change your view based on that.

Its like Ishant's CT 2013 over where he picked up Morgan and Bopara due to their stupidity.

Yes, it changed the game but can't rate that over as a special one.

In fact, other bowlers had to bowl out of their skin to win that game.

That's how I process it.

----

If we are talking Pujara's knock in Sydney or Gabba, that's a different kettle of fish altogether due to the situation at that time.

 

[Last Monetarist]

I hear you.

But I don't think that thinking will useful long term.

Based on the data they had at that time, it was a poor knock.

Ok fighting in one aspect.

But overall poor.

if situations changes and turns it into a winning effort, you don't change your view based on that.

Its like Ishant's CT 2013 over where he picked up Morgan and Bopara due to their stupidity.

Yes, it changed the game but can't rate that over as a special one.

In fact, other bowlers had to bowl out of their skin to win that game.

That's how I process it.

----

If we are talking Pujara's knock in Sydney or Gabba, that's a different kettle of fish altogether due to the situation at that time.

I'm not that confident though that the information we had available at the time of the partnership was reliable. There's also the fact that their approach was dictated by the selection of four number 11s in the side, so they were aware that another wicket or two would open up the tail, as happened in the final session.

I do agree that in the long-run there's not much utility for India to continue with Pujara and Rahane in the middle order.

 

[sindhiboy]

I still think india have a good chance
This pitch has variable bounce and will turn on the final day. Jadeja will be a threat
England need to wrap the tail up quickly

 

[Mahee]

The trio of Pujara Kohli Rahane is taking Indian cricket to new lows....what a shameful batting by them....these 3 have killed Indian test cricket.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I'm not that confident though that the information we had available at the time of the partnership was reliable. There's also the fact that their approach was dictated by the selection of four number 11s in the side, so they were aware that another wicket or two would open up the tail, as happened in the final session.

I do agree that in the long-run there's not much utility for India to continue with Pujara and Rahane in the middle order.

Agree with you.

But I am talking about their game awareness.

If i hadnt watched this LIVE, my views probably might have been different.

But unfortunately I spent the whole of Sunday watching this monstrosity.

Pujara missed out on sooooo many runs that it was just ridiculous.

It felt like a knock to save their careers as opposed to India.

They tried their best to stay in the crease but we would be better off not painting it as an heroic act...or even a decent one at that.

 

[Buffet]

It should be a comfortable win for Eng here. India has 4 walking last wickets and it is extremely hard to add runs.

 

[Ab Fan]

Agree with you.

But I am talking about their game awareness.

If i hadnt watched this LIVE, my views probably might have been different.

But unfortunately I spent the whole of Sunday watching this monstrosity.

Pujara missed out on sooooo many runs that it was just ridiculous.

It felt like a knock to save their careers as opposed to India.

They tried their best to stay in the crease but we would be better off not painting it as an heroic act...or even a decent one at that.

Great point. It was not like they were blocking when the ball was swinging miles and Anderson was on top of the game. It was a flat wicket and only Wood at some point was trying to make life tougher for them.

They should have done better in second session in terms of run scoring.

Pujara especially has become just a blocker specialist for overseas test like a Roston Chase, good for saving test matches in 2nd inning.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Agree with you.

But I am talking about their game awareness.

If i hadnt watched this LIVE, my views probably might have been different.

But unfortunately I spent the whole of Sunday watching this monstrosity.

Pujara missed out on sooooo many runs that it was just ridiculous.

It felt like a knock to save their careers as opposed to India.

They tried their best to stay in the crease but we would be better off not painting it as an heroic act...or even a decent one at that.

Unfortunately I saw it ball by ball as well, I just wasn't sure whether it was a lack of game awareness or lack of ability. I suspected it had more to do with the latter allied with a deliberate tactical decision to keep wickets in hand. They had also seen their captain throw away his wicket to an innocuous delivery from Sam Curran prior to lunch, which probably doubled down their resolve.

 

[gani999]

How can people defend Pujara's inning today? How is he the hero of today lol? No one is asking him to score at a strike rate of 60 but at least learn to rotate strike. Guy takes 50 balls to score his first 5 runs. Pant on the other hand took only 3 balls to score the same. In the end Pujara only scored 45 runs. Looked more like an inning to save his career than the one to help India.

And apparently, he is getting to save his career with those measly 40 something runs on the board.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Great point. It was not like they were blocking when the ball was swinging miles and Anderson was on top of the game. It was a flat wicket and only Wood at some point was trying to make life tougher for them.

They should have done better in second session in terms of run scoring.

Pujara especially has become just a blocker specialist for overseas test like a Roston Chase, good for saving test matches in 2nd inning.

Agree. Pujara played an impactless inning which will only benefit him.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

And apparently, he is getting to save his career with those measly 40 something runs on the board.

He and Rahane have mastered the art of playing career saving innings when they are on the firing line.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Unfortunately I saw it ball by ball as well, I just wasn't sure whether it was a lack of game awareness or lack of ability. I suspected it had more to do with the latter allied with a deliberate tactical decision to keep wickets in hand. They had also seen their captain throw away his wicket to an innocuous delivery from Sam Curran prior to lunch, which probably doubled down their resolve.

Maybe the word wasnt game awareness.

I am saying lack of ability resulted in making them making a choice that didnt have the teams best interests at heart.

Of course, if we win, it can easily be spun in a different way.

I will give you another example.

Wc 2019 SF....Jaddu was batting like a dream.

Dhoni was scratching around.

Had he not got run out and fluked a couple of big hits, it would have been spun as a heroic act.

The reality was he just didnt have the ability to keep the scoreboard ticking.

So he blocked and blocked and hoped situation would improve and he can contribute later on.

Too bad for him he got run out in the end.

All Dhoni had to do was support Jaddu a little bit better and we would have won.

But he didnt cos he wasnt sure he would keep his wicket.

That knock looks altruistic but it was anything but that.

The bigger fault lies with the management who put players in this situation where their willpower allows them to carry on long after their skills have deserted them.

Often to the detriment of their team.

 

[Ab Fan]

Agree. Pujara played an impactless inning which will only benefit him.

Yeah, he has saved his career by scoring 40 odd runs. One, he is not consistent and second, the only inning when he is scoring, he is not doing enough to change the course of the game. Same for Rahane.

One of these two should be dropped for next test and on current form, it is Pujara to start with.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Great point. It was not like they were blocking when the ball was swinging miles and Anderson was on top of the game. It was a flat wicket and only Wood at some point was trying to make life tougher for them.

They should have done better in second session in terms of run scoring.

Pujara especially has become just a blocker specialist for overseas test like a Roston Chase, good for saving test matches in 2nd inning.

It was a sad day.

Didnt Pakistan lose a crucial SA test due to this exact same approach?

In 2012 -13.

The Ajmal game.

 

[MenInG]

England ended day four of the second Test at Lord's on a high as Moeen Ali worked his magic with the ball leaving India faltering at 181/6.

The match took a decisive turn in the morning session with the fall of three important wickets. England captain Joe Root introduced Mark Wood early into the attack. Wood snared the wicket of the in-form KL Rahul who edged the ball delivered at the speed of 150.42 kph to Jos Buttler for 5 runs.

The hosts then laid a trap to set up Rohit Sharma to play his favourite pull-shot. Even though Rohit got a six off the first short ball, the same delivery led to his fall for 21 runs after a top-edge was caught by Moeen Ali at deep square leg.

With two new batters - Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli - at the crease, India now had the task to push for a massive lead.

However, the partnership between the two could only add 28 runs before Sam Curran dismissed Kohli for 20 who edged another one to the keeper.

In the session after lunch, India regained control of the proceedings with Ajinkya Rahane joining Pujara in the middle. The two ensured that the visitors headed into tea without losing any wicket in the session despite the flow of runs having dried down.

The pair continued to show their persistence in the final session, with Rahane bringing up a gritty half-century. Pujara was looking good to reach the landmark as well, but Wood struck again with a well-executed delivery to dismiss him for 45.

Rahane followed suit soon, with Moeen Ali finally reaping the rewards of his tight spell, with the Indian vice-captain walking back to the pavilion after a knock of 58, leaving England in the ascendancy as the close of play approached.

Ravindra Jadeja could not make much of a contribution with the bat, with Ali dismissing him with a peach of a delivery. With the lights fading, the umpires called stumps with India leading by 154 runs, with an enthralling final day in store ahead.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

What's wrong with 181 /6 here?
If we get 46 more runs, we will be in a dominant position.
200 is difficult to chase on a fifth day pitch.
This is gonna be a nail biting contest.

Also, one important thing, we have 4 pacers which means even if they aren't getting much help we can bowl defensive lines and go for a draw, that's not possible with spinners.
The most important part is getting a 200 lead and after that pressure will be on England.

 

[MenInG]

Highlights of the day's play

[utube]cpI8KAuRxdc[/utube]

 

[Ab Fan]

It was a sad day.

Didnt Pakistan lose a crucial SA test due to this exact same approach?

In 2012 -13.

The Ajmal game.

Don't remember. Which game was it? In SA or UAE?

 

[Ab Fan]

What's wrong with 181 /6 here?
If we get 46 more runs, we will be in a dominant position.
200 is difficult to chase on a fifth day pitch.
This is gonna be a nail biting contest.

Also, one important thing, we have 4 pacers which means even if they aren't getting much help we can bowl defensive lines and go for a draw, that's not possible with spinners.
The most important part is getting a 200 lead and after that pressure will be on England.

It is 154/6 technically, we have a tailender at no.8 on crease and we also have a recent history of bottling overseas test matches on Day 5.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Don't remember. Which game was it? In SA or UAE?

The second test at Newlands in 2013, Azhar and Misbah crawled to a standstill which triggered a collapse.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

The second test at Newlands in 2013, Azhar and Misbah crawled to a standstill which triggered a collapse.

Yes this one.

 

[pillionrider]

India is gonna get into a winning position tomorrow. I just hope Kohli's captaincy blunder and prejudice vs Ashwin doesn't see us miss the opportunity to wrap up the game.

 

[Saj]

Nicely poised.

First hour tomorrow the key. A couple of wickets and it's England's match.

 

[PakLFC]

Great Test here. Anything can happen on the final day is how it should be. At one point India were rather comfortable then a few quick wickets gives England the advantage. With the Indian tail being rather long England should be aiming to dismiss them within the first hour tomorrow morning. Hopefully the weather will hold up leading to an England win. C'mon England!

 

[James]

My gut feeling with this one is that Pant can take the game away from England before lunch if he stays in. It could end up being an extremely challenging target of 240 that India set England to win. And, there will be no Ben Stokes to pull a magical innings out of the hat here.

But if Anderson or Robinson dismisses Pant early with the new ball, then the momentum will be strongly against India. England could end up with plenty of time to chase a relatively modest target of around 185.

Ashwin is world class, but even if they had picked another specialist spinner instead of him then India would still have a better chance than they do here. The real issue for India tomorrow will be their inability to have a spinner bowling at both ends.

During the run chase, there will always be at least one fast bowler on for India, and currently they are leaking extras. Only M.Siraj looks in genuinely fearsome form at the moment. If it is his own special day, he could potentially do it all on his own.

Ever so slightly nervous. Can’t wait.

Test cricket is the best.

 

[Buffet]

My gut feeling with this one is that Pant can take the game away from England before lunch if he stays in. It could end up being an extremely challenging target of 240 that India set England to win. And, there will be no Ben Stokes to pull a magical innings out of the hat here.

But if Anderson or Robinson dismisses Pant early with the new ball, then the momentum will be strongly against India. England could end up with plenty of time to chase a relatively modest target of around 185.

Ashwin is world class, but even if they had picked another specialist spinner instead of him then India would still have a better chance than they do here. The real issue for India tomorrow will be their inability to have a spinner bowling at both ends.

During the run chase, there will always be at least one fast bowler on for India, and currently they are leaking extras. Only M.Siraj looks in genuinely fearsome form at the moment. If it is his own special day, he could potentially do it all on his own.

Ever so slightly nervous. Can’t wait.

Test cricket is the best.

India shouldn't add 90 runs here with 4 walking wickets. I think the game is 90% in Eng's favor here.

 

[Firebat]

Rishabh Pant is the key now. Wonder if he can pull the rabbit out of the hat once again

 

[Mahee]

India will be all out for 205 .... England should chase the target comfortably

 

[street cricketer]

So both asian teams are going to take an L a day after their respective independence days

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Looks a difficult one for India. Only Pant can do some magic. Else, England look to be in winning position.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

What's wrong with 181 /6 here?
If we get 46 more runs, we will be in a dominant position.
200 is difficult to chase on a fifth day pitch.
This is gonna be a nail biting contest.

Also, one important thing, we have 4 pacers which means even if they aren't getting much help we can bowl defensive lines and go for a draw, that's not possible with spinners.
The most important part is getting a 200 lead and after that pressure will be on England.

The point is who will score those 46 runs. Need a lot of luck. But if we cross 200, Win for India or Draw are good chances.

 

[globalcitizen]

The match is certainly heading for a result other than draw.
Although india needs few more runs on board, this will be a tough chase for England. I think Bumrah and Jadeja will come good and be hard to get away on a last day pitch. Exciting

 

[Robert]

My gut feeling with this one is that Pant can take the game away from England before lunch if he stays in. It could end up being an extremely challenging target of 240 that India set England to win. And, there will be no Ben Stokes to pull a magical innings out of the hat here.

But if Anderson or Robinson dismisses Pant early with the new ball, then the momentum will be strongly against India. England could end up with plenty of time to chase a relatively modest target of around 185.

Ashwin is world class, but even if they had picked another specialist spinner instead of him then India would still have a better chance than they do here. The real issue for India tomorrow will be their inability to have a spinner bowling at both ends.

During the run chase, there will always be at least one fast bowler on for India, and currently they are leaking extras. Only M.Siraj looks in genuinely fearsome form at the moment. If it is his own special day, he could potentially do it all on his own.

Ever so slightly nervous. Can’t wait.

Test cricket is the best.

Good summary. I’d say it all hinges on how long Pant stays in now.

I’d always give Wood the new ball though, look how he blasted out a limped-like Pujara yesterday.

 

[street cricketer]

What's going to happen is that we'll maybe add a ten runs to our overnight score and get all out.

Then England will probably chase it down with the loss of 4 or at max 5 wickets.

Then Captain fantastic picks both Ashwin and Jadeja on a green seamer in the next test, to compensate for leaving out Ashwin on a flat and dry wicket here.