England tightened their grip on the third Test at Lord’s, reducing a hapless India to 112 for 8 by lunch on Day 5, as a spirited pace attack spearheaded by Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes left the visitors on the brink of defeat in the race to chase 193.
India, who resumed the day at a precarious 58 for 4, lost key batsman KL Rahul early in the morning session. The right-hander, who had held fort with a gritty 39, was trapped lbw by England captain Ben Stokes in the 24th over. A successful review overturned the on-field decision, handing England a crucial breakthrough.
The collapse continued with Washington Sundar departing for a duck in the 25th over, caught and bowled spectacularly by Archer. Rishabh Pant briefly counterattacked with two boundaries, including a ferocious down-the-track drive, but was undone by a peach from Archer that uprooted his off stump for 9.
India’s hopes then rested on Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who put up a brief resistance. Reddy stroked a confident boundary off Stokes and helped bring up India’s 100 in the 32nd over, but the stand was broken at the stroke of lunch by Woakes, who induced an edge to Jamie Smith behind the stumps. Reddy’s composed 13 off 53 balls came to an end as England closed in.
Earlier, in the first innings, both teams had posted identical scores of 387, with England adding 192 in their second outing. India’s target of 193 now seems distant with only two wickets remaining and Jadeja batting on 17.
As the hosts eye a 2?1 lead in the series, India face an uphill battle to deny England a famous win at the iconic venue.
