Lord’s Test Hangs in Balance as India Stutter in Chase After Bowling Out England for 192

London — The third Test between India and England at Lord’s is headed for a thrilling finish after Day 4 delivered yet another dramatic shift in momentum, leaving India needing 135 runs with six wickets in hand on a deteriorating surface.

India’s bowlers produced a superb display to bowl England out for just 192 in their second innings, setting a target of 193. However, England roared back late in the day, striking crucial blows to leave the visitors wobbling at 58/4 by stumps.

Siraj, Sundar Star as England Collapse

England began Day 4 on 2/0 but suffered early setbacks. Mohammed Siraj struck first, trapping Ben Duckett LBW for 12 and celebrating with an aggressive send-off. Ollie Pope soon followed, pinned LBW by Siraj after a successful Indian review.

Zak Crawley, who briefly threatened with 22, was undone by Nitish Kumar Reddy, edging to gully. Jamie Smith was outsmarted by Washington Sundar’s skiddy delivery, leaving England 98/4 at lunch.

Post-lunch, Sundar wreaked havoc. He bowled Joe Root with a beauty that clipped leg stump and then dismissed Ben Stokes, finishing with outstanding figures of 4/22. Jasprit Bumrah added a vicious yorker to remove Carse, as England folded for 192.

India’s Chase Wobbles Early

Needing 193, India suffered a jolt in the first over when Yashasvi Jaiswal hooked loosely at Jofra Archer and was caught. KL Rahul and Karun Nair stitched together a careful 36-run stand, though Nair was dropped by Chris Woakes during the partnership.

Momentum shifted again late in the evening. Brydon Carse trapped Shubman Gill LBW and dismissed Nair for 14, before Ben Stokes removed night-watchman Akash Deep with the final ball of the day. India closed on 58/4, still 135 away from victory.

KL Rahul remains India’s hope, unbeaten on 33, needing to shepherd the chase alongside the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant.

Emotions Flare, Bazball Criticized

Day 4 was also high on tension. Residual friction from Zak Crawley’s time-wasting on Day 3 spilled over, with Siraj’s animated celebrations after Duckett’s dismissal. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara slammed Harry Brook’s reckless sweep in England’s innings as “arrogance rather than Bazball.”

Day 5 Poised for a Thriller

The Lord’s surface is showing variable bounce and significant turn, promising a gripping finale. England’s attack, led by Carse, Archer, and Stokes, will hunt early wickets, while India will hope for a calm innings from Rahul and support from the middle order.

This Test remains finely balanced a chase of 193 on a wearing pitch could become a historic triumph or a heartbreaking collapse.