What was a tense Day 5 at Lord’s has turned into an English onslaught. India’s chase of 193 has gone haywire.
At the end of Day 4, India were 58/4. And in one session today, England have blown through the Indian middle order.
India are 97/7. They need 99 more, England are just three wickets away from a famous win. The biggest blow came when KL Rahul, India’s best hope, was dismissed by Ben Stokes. Rahul, unbeaten on 33 overnight, looked solid and in control.
But Stokes set him up beautifully, hitting a tight line and tempting him into a poke outside off. It was sharp, smart bowling under pressure. And with that, India’s anchor was gone.
If that wasn’t enough, Jofra Archer delivered the killer blow next getting rid of Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar in quick succession.
Both batsmen fell trying to assert themselves, but on a tricky surface against top-class bowling, that approach backfired.
From 58/4 to 97/7, the collapse has been brutal. Now, India’s hopes rest entirely on Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy—the last recognised batting pair.
India are in deep trouble. This is a perfect chance for Nitish Kumar Reddy to become a hero.
The remaining batters, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, won’t offer much with the bat. So any hopes of getting 99 more rest on this one partnership.
The pitch has flattened a bit, but there’s still movement for those who bowl in the right areas and England’s attack has done exactly that. Archer’s pace, Stokes’ discipline and the Lord’s crowd pressure have all squeezed India.
It’s a far cry from where India started with a disciplined bowling effort on Day 4. Washington Sundar had led the charge with four wickets, supported by Bumrah and Siraj, as England were bowled out for 192.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair and Shubman Gill all threw away their wickets. Gill, in particular, lost his cool after a verbal exchange with Zak Crawley and his concentration never recovered.
He fell cheaply and that might just haunt India if they go on to lose. Rahul’s wicket was the turning point.
He was calm and composed and looked like the one who could get India over the line. But with him gone, the mountain is even bigger than ever.
If India are to do something special, it has to come from Jadeja and Nitish. Every run now counts. This isn’t a chase it’s a rescue act.
The next 30-45 minutes will decide this match. Can India fight back? Or will England finish it off? Lord’s is ready for a finish to remember.
