The third Test between India and England at Lord’s is perfectly poised for a dramatic finale, with both sides holding realistic chances of victory heading into Day 5 of the five-match series.
India ended Day 4 at 58/4, needing 135 more runs to clinch the Test and take a 2-1 lead in the series. However, early losses have left the visitors under pressure, with key wickets of Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, and Akash Deep falling late on Sunday.
KL Rahul remains unbeaten on 33, and with a deep batting lineup still to come — including Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar — India will hope to stage a composed chase on the final day.
Pant, who scored 74 in the first innings, is in superb form and currently holds the record for the most runs by an Indian wicketkeeper in England (416), surpassing MS Dhoni’s 2014 tally of 349. Jadeja, too, contributed significantly with a gritty 72 earlier in the match.
The lower-middle order could be pivotal. Nitish Kumar Reddy, with a Test hundred in Australia under his belt, and Sundar, known for clutch partnerships on foreign soil, are capable of steering India home if needed.
On the English side, Brydon Carse emerged as a key threat late on Day 4, claiming two vital scalps. Ben Stokes, who dismissed night-watchman Akash Deep in the final over of the day, will lead the attack in the morning session — a phase that could decide the Test.
With just two matches left after Lord’s — at Old Trafford and The Oval — the winner of this game will take a crucial lead in the series. As the sun rises over the iconic venue, all eyes will be on whether India can hold their nerve or if England can snatch a comeback win at home.