The third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has turned into a classic nail-biter, with India needing 135 more runs to win and England requiring six wickets to secure a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
After England were bowled out for 192 in their second innings — despite a fighting 40 from Joe Root — India’s reply unravelled alarmingly late in the evening. At stumps on day four, they were 58/4, with KL Rahul their only major hope, unbeaten on 33 off 47 balls (six fours).
Washington Sundar, who finished with superb figures of 4-22, admitted the chase would test India but sounded confident.
Definitely India winning tomorrow, just after lunch. In the position we are in right now, we’d have taken it. Maybe one down would be ideal. The way the fast bowlers bowled and kept the pressure on was amazing.
England began the day under pressure, and India’s pacers ensured that pressure told. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj repeatedly beat the bat, and Siraj finally struck when Ben Duckett miscued a pull to mid-on. Siraj then trapped Ollie Pope lbw — overturning the not-out call on review. Zak Crawley edged a drive off debutant Reddy to gully for 22, leaving England wobbling at 50/3.
Harry Brook counter-attacked briefly with two fours and a six but lost his middle stump to Akash Deep trying an ambitious sweep, dismissed for 23. Root and Stokes added 67 to take England past 100, but Sundar’s introduction proved decisive. He dismissed Root for 40 — beating him with drift — and then bowled Jamie Smith for 8.
After tea, Stokes, who had survived a run-out chance, was bowled sweeping Sundar for 33. Bumrah returned to castle Chris Woakes, before Sundar wrapped up the innings by removing Jofra Archer.
Set 193 to win, India’s chase started nervously. Yashasvi Jaiswal lasted just seven balls, top-edging Archer to Jamie Smith for a duck. The bigger blows came just before stumps — Brydon Carse pinned Karun Nair (14) and Shubman Gill (5) lbw in quick succession. Gill reviewed in vain, his dismissal tilting the momentum sharply towards England.
In the final over, Ben Stokes struck again, bowling nightwatchman Akash Deep to cap a dominant last half-hour.
KL has been the classical old-school Test batsman. His judgement’s been superb — he made a hundred in the first innings. Hopefully, we can get him early and work through the tail.
For India, much rests on Rahul’s shoulders as they attempt to script one of their most memorable chases in recent memory.
Brief Scores: England 387 & 192 all out in 62.1 overs (Joe Root 40, Ben Stokes 33; Washington Sundar 4-22, Mohammed Siraj 2-31) India 387 & 58/4 in 17.4 overs (KL Rahul 33 not out; Brydon Carse 2-11, Ben Stokes 1-15) India need 135 more runs to win.
