The fourth day of the fifth and the final Test ended with India scoring 58 runs at a loss of 3 wickets. They still need 406 runs to win with 7 wickets in hand. At the time stumps, opener KL Rahul was batting on 46 And was accompanied by vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, who remained unbeaten at 10.
It’s a fact that India have been struggling with their top order in this series so far. But what happened today in the fourth innings was a complete disaster. While chasing a mammoth target of 464 runs, the visitors lost three first wickets at a total of 2 runs. Though Shikhar Dhawan managed to score one run off six deliveries, Pujara and Kohli couldn’t even open their account and returned to the dressing room.
Towards the end of the fourth day’s play, opener KL Rahul and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane held the nerve and anchored the innings till the on-field umpires called it enough for the day. At one end, Rahul was charging fearlessly while on the other, Rahane showcased immense patience in order to rule out any more loss.
Earlier today, the pair of opener Alastair Cook and skipper Joe Root play the best innings of the entire series. They resumed the game at 114/2 after which the duo looked in solid control, making the visitors struggle for a breakthrough.
Cook, playing his last Test, notched up his 33rd Test ton and also became the fifth batsman in the history of the game to hit a ton both in his debut and final games. He also became the highest Test run-scorer among the left-handed batsmen as he went past Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (12400), adding another achievement to his illustrious career.
Resuming the post-lunch session at 243/2, Cook and Root took England past the 300-run mark. Skipper Joe Root got his 14th Test century which came after a year and 29 innings. They continued batting till the 95th over to stitch a partnership of 259 runs for the third wicket before being dismissed on successive deliveries.
Debutant Hanuma Vihari brought respite for the Indians as he broke this mammoth partnership. He struck twice in consecutive deliveries to dismiss Cook (147) and Root (125) leaving the hosts at 321/4.
Incoming batsmen Jonny Bairstow (18) fell cheaply as a Mohammed Shami delivery took an inside edge and went on to hit the stumps. Bairstow was followed by Jos Buttler, who departed without contributing.
While looking for some quick runs, Buttler went down the track but offered a thick edge to Shami at backward point. Ben Stokes and Sam Curran were unbeaten on 13 and 7 runs respectively at the time of tea-break.
After tea, Jadeja removed Stokes in the 110th over, at an individual score of 37 runs. Adil Rashid remained not out on 20 while Sam Curran (21) was dismissed by Hanuma Vihari and England captain Joe Root decided to declare the innings after taking a lead of 463 runs.