England on the cusp of pulling off a miraculous chase
IND vs ENG: Day 4 belongs entirely to England, as the hosts are a few runs away from a stunning win!
India were 125/3 at the end of day 3, with a lead of 257 runs but, could only add 120 runs, to giev England a target of 378 runs.
Pujara and Pant started the innings off on day 4, with plenty of runs in the bank. Pujara went on to add 16 more runs, before being dismissed by Stuart Broad. Shreyas Iyer once again, got a start but failed to kick on. He went on to score 19(25) before being dismissed by the very impressive Matty Potts.
Pant went onto score yet another Test match half century, but, Jack Leach had the final laugh. In the first innings, Pant had taken the left arm spinner to the cleaners. But, it was Jack Leach who came on and dismissed the dangerous left-hander.
England were able to break the Jadeja-Pant partnership much sooner this time around, to put India under immense pressure. Shardul Thakur’s stay at the crease was short lived, as Matty Potts struck again.
Jadeja, Shami and Bumrah were dismissed in quick succession as England bowled out the visitors for 245 runs. This meant England need to chase 378 in just over 5 sessions of play, if they were to avoid a series loss.
The English openers, after failing in the first innings, got going in the second. The opening pair added on 107, before Crawley was dismissed. Bumrah came on and disturbed the timber behind Crawley, to hand India a much needed break-through.
Ollie Pope, who came in at 3, was dismissed Bumrah, for a 3 ball duck.
Alex Lees was in full flow, as he went on to score 56(65) before a mix-up gave India a chance back into the match.
England lost their top 3 inside 3 overs, to hand India the upper hand. But, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow had some other plans.
Bairstow picked up from where he had left in the first innings. He went on to score a smashing 72*(87) whereas former skipper Joe Root played a well-paced innings, as he ended day 4 not-out on 76(112).
The pair added on a 150 runs in just 23 overs, to hand England on the verge off pulling of a mammoth chase.
As of day 4 stumps, England require just 119 runs, with 7 wickets in hand to get a 4th consecutive test win and finish the series level on 2 wins apiece.
