The visitors were reeling at 50/4, still 239 runs behind after England skipper Joe Root declared the hosts’ first innings on 396/7, a potentially match-winning lead of 289 against a misfiring Indian batting line-up.
On the third day, he made a sensational comeback from injury to score his first Test century and with Jonny Bairstow (93) lifted England to 357 for 6 when bad light ended play with 16 overs left to bowl in the extended day’s play. The 189-run sixth wicket partnership between Woakes and Bairstow punctured Indian hopes that bowlers will make amends for timid batting. England led by 250 runs with Sam Curran (22 batting) playing freely at the other end. Despite rain forecast in the last two days, James Anderson and Co will fancy their chances of running through India’s demoralised batting line-up again.
Here are the live updates of India vs England, Day 4: England firmly on the driver’s seat as Murali Vijay dismissed for a duck by James Anderson. It is going to be an uphill battle for the Indian batting order.
Broad gets two in two
Stuart broad has made massive inroads into India’s batting line up. He gets Kohli and Karthik off two deliveries and India are all but down at Lord’s.
Bairstow up to the stumps
England keeper Jonny Bairstow is now up to the sumps for Sam Curran. Clever move as it stops Kohli batting outside the crease to negate swing.
Pujara goes
Just as India get to 50, Stuart Broad castles Pujara and India are now four down. No other specialist batsmen left for India.
Pujara, Kohli firm
Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat are holding fort at the moment, although there is an odd play and miss, the two have dealt with whatever has been thrown at them pretty well so far.
Sam Curran into the attack
Left-arm seamer Sam Curran has been introduced into the attack! his swing will test India in a different way.
Ahh, the grimace
Virat Kohli comes forward to defend and then winces in pain. That back is hurting.
Can anything else go wrong for India?
Rahane departs
Very loose stroke from Rahane after doing all the hard work. He hangs out a bat to a full ball outside off and edges it to the slip cordon. And the rain comes falling down.
Stuart Broad introduced
James Anderson taken off, Stuart Broad brought into the attack. India keeping it tight at the moment. There is movement out there, but not quite significant as the first innings.
Watchful from the Indians
It is a good battle out there, the Indian batsmen are looking to watch the ball more closely and play strokes only when needed. Grinding it out.
Action about to commence
It has cleared up for now, there is rain on the radar, India need to battle it hard. And then wait for the rain to intervene.
Perspective needed for India
Back in 1979, India batted first and were bowled out for 96 on the first day at Lord’s. England declared at 419-9 in response, they led by 323 runs. India managed to salvage a draw with 318-4 in 148 overs in their second innings.
Rain stops
As per the latest update, the match should start at around 6:30 IST, provided it does not rain in the intervening period.
It is still raining
Play was scheduled to restart right about now, but the covers are still on. It’s still raining.
Kohli is stretching his back in the dressing room.
Play stopped
Rain is here and the umpires take the players off the field. It is not entirely heavy, but heavy enough for the players to walk out.
Lunch has been taken.
Stat Attack
Average of Indian openers in recent series:
in South Africa – 13.66; in England so far – 10.37
Against Sri Lanka last year: 74.12 & 57.00 in the two series
Ajinkya Rahane walks out
No Virat Kohli owing to the back strain and Ajinkya Rahane strides out. The drizzle continues at Lord’s. Anderson is sensing blood.
KL Rahul dismissed
Anderson at it again, he lands the ball on a length, Rahul tries to defend on the front foot and gets hit on the pads. He does not bother to review, India in a hole, yet again.
Probing stuff
There is assistance and the England attack is relentless, no freebies, always posing questions. This is some examination and this is Test cricket.
Anderson strikes
India lose the first wicket, Vijay has been dismissed. Ball decks back in, takes the inside edge and Bairstow accepts the catch. Pair for the opener.
Vijay takes guard
India stare at a deficit of 289 runs. James Anderson will run in with the new ball. The conditions are conducive for him.
England declare
Hardik Pandya gets rid of Sam Curran, and Joe Root has seen enough. He declares the innings.
England lead by 289 runs.
Curran on the move
The intentions are pretty clear from England. Sam Curran has taken it to the Indian bowlers. A four through covers and then a hook over square leg.
A possible declaration coming soon?
Concern for India
Virat Kohli has not taken the field and Ajinkya Rahane is leading the side in his absence.
Find out why.
Shami on fire
He is unlucky not to get a wicket, but Shami has been excellent this morning. He has beaten the bat eight times already in about three overs. Getting the ball to pitch and nip off the surface.
50 partnership up
Chris Woakes and Sam Curran have added 50 runs for the seventh wicket. England are cruising along, but no signs of declaration!
It is seaming again
A superb over from Shami, landing the ball on a length and then hooping it away. Even Woakes with a century can’t lay bat on ball.
Probing start by Ishant
There is movement on over and Ishant has started off well, angling the ball in from around the wicket and then seaming it away from Sam Curran.
Kohli not on the field
The captain has not taken the field, he is nursing a back strain.
Well, not working for India.
Bright and clear
We are very close to get rolling on Day 4, the weather looks bright for now, but then the forecast is not too upbeat for the rest of the day. England bat on!
England not declaring
Chris Woakes has been spotted with a bat in his hand which could well mean England plan to bat on and add on to the already massive score.
Should England declare?
There is weather around and the ball could well swing and seam, not as much as the first innings, but it definitely will. Should Joe Root then ask to India to face the music again?
The drizzle is back
Pitch is under the covers, and the clouds are hanging over the ground.
Hello and welcome to Day 4 of the 2nd Test.
There’s a slight drizzle on at the moment and the pitch is under cover.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/P4SePJhyp6
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 12, 2018
Sun is out
It is bright for now, the covers have been dragged away, but then for how long will it last?
Will England declare and put pressure on India right at the beginning?
Good and bad news
The covers have been dragged off, the forecast is improving, but then there are lumps of clouds hanging over the ground. Good news for England, not entirely bright for India.
Test cricket, thou art a beauty!
Source: HindustanTimes