England threaten India with a 233-run lead in 2nd innings

England now have a competitive lead of 233 runs and it could be a tricky chase for the Indian line-up

Despite losing eight wickets in the second innings, the Englishmen have taken a strong lead of 233 runs by the end of the third day of the fourth Test at the Aegis Bowl at Southampton. The hosts concluded the play at a score of 260/8 where Sam Curran remained unbeaten on 37 and will be joined by Stuart Broad on the fourth day.

The Indian bowlers started the day with all smiles on their faces. Bumrah and Ishant picked two early wickets to strengthen the situation. Bumrah removed Alastair Cook on 12 while Moeen was dismissed by Ishant on 9.

Later, Root and Jennings put on 59 runs for the third wicket as Mohammed Shami (1/16) struck at the stroke of lunch as Jennings was trapped leg before for 36 runs, with the DRS referral going against the batsman. Root was unbeaten on 30 runs.

After the lunch break, Shami came with the ball to complete the over while Jonny Bairstow has the strike. The Indian speedster bowled a phenomenal reverse swing which completely bamboozled the Bairstow and bumped into the leg stump.

England were reduced to 92 for 4 and the Indians seemed to have taken the control of the game. Root was accompanied by all-rounder Ben Stokes and the duo added 30 runs for the 5^th wicket. Root was gradually heading for his half-century but a wrong call Stokes cost the wicket of the English skipper.

A direct throw from Mohammed Shami forced Root to return to the dressing room on 48.

The Indian side celebrated one more success but they had no idea what was coming on their way. Once again Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes paired up to rip the Indian bowling apart. The duo then added 32 runs to the total when umpires decided to take the tea break.

In the third session, the Indian bowlers toiled really hard to break this pair. On the other hand, Stokes and Buttler batted with calmness in a bid to bring England back in the game. They stitched a partnership of 56 runs before Ajinkya Rahane took a superb catch to remove Ben Stokes on 30 off Ashwin’s delivery.

Despite scalping another wicket, there was no relief for the Indians as Buttler was still on the crease and was joined by Sam Curran who has been batting extraordinarily in this series so far. Meanwhile, Buttler scored the 9^th fifty of his Test career and as expected, another 55-run partnership piled up between them.

In the 85^th over, Ishant Sharma broke this pairing by removing Buttler on 69. A good length inswinger from the Indian speedster did the business perfectly, giving the much-needed respite to India.

 

Curran, who was bravely facing the Indian bowling attack, continued his good work with the bat and was joined by Adil Rashid.

For the next seven overs, they went on to frustrate the Indian bowlers a bit more by adding 27 runs for the 8^th wicket. It was Shami who put an end to this show by removing Adil Rashid (11) while the umpires called for stumps.