The third Test match between India and England at Lord’s is poised for a thrilling Day 5, with India needing 135 runs and England needing six wickets for victory.
Sangakkara: England More Confident
Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara believes England has the psychological edge heading into the final day. He noted that England gained confidence after taking crucial wickets, while India’s batting display seemed somewhat hesitant.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Sangakkara observed, “The way I saw India bat, there were a few jitters. They seemed a bit negative.” He also mentioned Washington Sundar’s comment about India wanting to lose only one wicket, suggesting they should have set a clearer target for runs instead.
India’s Tough Day 4 Chase
India’s chase of 193 runs got off to a difficult start. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck by Jofra Archer, setting a nervous tone. KL Rahul and Karun Nair attempted to stabilize the innings, but Nair fell after a lapse in concentration, trapped leg before by Brydon Carse.
Shubman Gill looked unsure at the crease and was also dismissed by Carse, leaving India in deeper trouble. Even nightwatchman Akash Deep, who tried to protect Rahul, was bowled by Ben Stokes, making him the fourth wicket to fall by stumps on Day 4.
The Crucial Rahul-Pant Partnership
With Rishabh Pant set to join KL Rahul at the crease, Sangakkara highlighted the importance of this partnership. He stressed that a substantial stand between them could shift momentum back in India’s favor.
“If Rahul and Pant can stretch this partnership to beyond 100 for the team, then India are back in the driving seat,” Sangakkara stated. He advised Pant to play his natural attacking game, warning that a defensive approach would only benefit England. Rahul, he added, could anchor the innings while others score around him.
India’s Optimism for Day 5
Despite the challenging position, Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar expressed confidence in his team’s ability to win. Speaking to BBC Sports, Sundar acknowledged the loss of wickets but maintained an optimistic outlook.
“We’ll definitely win the game tomorrow,” Sundar asserted. He emphasized the need for smart batting, playing to the merit of the ball, and leveraging India’s deep batting line-up to chase down the target.
- England holds a psychological edge due to India’s cautious batting.
- India lost four key wickets on Day 4, leaving them 135 runs short.
- The partnership between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant is critical for India’s success.
- Despite the pressure, India’s camp remains confident of victory.
The stage is set for a gripping conclusion, with both teams vying for a vital 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
