Indian fans had a lot of expectations from the Indian batting order on day four of the second test. However, the batsmen displayed an underwhelming performance and hence are in great trouble. As a result, India ended the fourth day’s play against England on 181-6 and they lead by 154 runs.
Therefore England has a great chance to win if they wrap up the Indian lower order within the first two hours of day five. Moving on, let’s summarize the fourth day’s play.
England led by 27 runs after the third day’s play. Consequently, India walked in to bat in the first session on day four. England needed early wickets in order to spice the game up and their bowlers managed to do so. As Kl Rahul was dismissed very early in the first innings. Soon Rohit Sharma followed Rahul to the dressing room as he tried playing one shot too many and got out.
As a result, the in-form opening pair departed very early and it was up to Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara to solidify the Indian innings. Although Virat’s dismal series continues as he edged one off Sam Curran’s bowling on 20. Hence it looked like the Indian batting order would be sent back very quickly as Pujara and Rahane were not in great touch.
However, the two batsmen displayed immense patience and grit as they survived the English onslaught. Consequently, the pair reached their 100 run partnership. But India suffered a jolt as Pujara and Rahane departed in quick succession. Therefore the entire Indian innings depended on Jadeja and Rishabh Pant.
However, Moeen Ali dismissed Ravindra Jadeja a few overs before the end of the day’s play. Following Jadeja’s wicket, India did not lose any wicket as stumps was called after 82 overs of play.
Mark Wood and Moeen Ali help England to get an upper hand in the Second test match
Until the third day, the second test match was in the balance as any team could win the match. However, English bowlers changed the script on day four by putting the Indian batsmen in trouble.
Mark Wood bowled an incredible opening spell where he got rid of the in-form KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma quickly. Further when the Indian batsmen were looking set, Mark Wood took his third wicket and broke the 100 run partnership of Rahane and Pujara. Later Moeen Ali joined the party as he dismissed Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja in the span of 3-4 overs.
So for the first time in the series, Anderson has gone wicketless as of now and Mark Wood has taken three wickets to help England. As a result, the Indian hopes lie on Rishabh Pant as he is the only known batsman who could help India get a good lead in no time and help the team survive the entire fifth day.
Also Read: IND vs ENG: Joe Root’s Brilliant 180* Helps England get past India’s First Innings Total
