IND vs ENG 4th TEST: Bowlers Didn’t Help — Now Batsmen Must Save India

Manchester: Against England, in the fourth Test of the five-match Test series for the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, the fourth day today (starting at 3:30 PM) in Manchester could prove decisive for the entire series. In reply to India’s 358 runs in the first innings, England ended the third day (Friday) with a dominant score of 544/7, thanks to one century and four half-centuries, gaining a lead of 186 runs.

Now, it remains to be seen how big England’s total lead will be today and how India will respond with the bat in their second innings. On Friday alone, the British team scored 319 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, indicating that the pitch is very good for batting.

If England ends up with a lead of 200 to 250 runs, then Team India will also have to post a big score, possibly 500+ runs, to throw down a challenge to the hosts. In that situation, any of the three results (India win, England win, or draw) would be possible. However, if India collapses in the second innings, England will definitely take an unassailable 3-1 lead and secure the series trophy.

Joe Root — The Star of Friday

Joe Root (150 runs, 248 balls, 14 fours) was the hero on Friday. He scored his 38th Test century. His wicket was taken by Ravindra Jadeja, caught by stand-in wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. England’s total was also boosted by:

Zak Crawley’s 84 runs

Ben Duckett’s 94 runs

Ollie Pope’s 71 runs

And Ben Stokes’ unbeaten 77, even after collapsing on the pitch due to injury at one point.

India’s Bowling Effort

For India:

Washington Sundar (who took two quick wickets) and Jadeja both took two wickets each.

Bumrah, Kamboj, and Siraj took one wicket each.