India ended the fourth day of the third Test at Lord’s at 58/4 while chasing 193 runs in the fourth innings. They need 135 more runs to win, with only six wickets in hand going into the fifth day. The fourth day was packed with dramatic moments, as 14 wickets fell, highlighting the intensity of the contest between India and England.

Washington Sundar’s Game-Changing Spell

Washington Sundar played a key role in India’s strong performance with the ball. He claimed 4 wickets for just 22 runs. His victims included some of England's most dangerous batters—Joe Root, Jamie Smith, and Ben Stokes. He also finished off the innings by removing Shoaib Bashir, helping India bowl out England with a lead of 192 runs.

India and England had finished their first innings with scores level, meaning the target was set at 193. Washington’s figures of 4/22 were the best by an Indian spinner at Lord’s since 1974.

England’s Early Collapse

India’s bowlers began the day with purpose. Jasprit Bumrah troubled Zak Crawley but did not get a wicket. Mohammed Siraj was more successful, removing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope early. Duckett mistimed a pull shot to Bumrah, and Pope was trapped lbw by Siraj after a review.

Nitish Kumar Reddy then joined the attack and dismissed Crawley for the second time in the match. Crawley edged a loose drive to Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully. England found themselves under pressure once again.

Akash Deep Strikes After Brook’s Brief Charge

Harry Brook tried to counterattack by hitting Akash Deep for two fours and a six. But his aggressive approach didn’t last long. He tried to sweep a full delivery and missed, allowing Akash Deep to knock over his middle stump. Brook made a quick 23 off 19 balls.

Washington Dominates After Lunch

After the lunch break, India introduced spin, and Washington Sundar made an immediate impact. He bowled Joe Root for 40, ending a solid 67-run partnership with Stokes. Root had been in fine form at Lord’s in recent matches, but Washington got one to slide under his attempted sweep and crash into middle stump.

Just four overs later, Washington removed Jamie Smith. The ball was quicker, didn’t turn, and snuck past the outside edge to hit off stump. England were reduced to 164 for 6.

England Collapse in Final Session

Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes tried to steady the innings after tea. But Washington struck again, dismissing Stokes for 33 with a delivery that went through his slog sweep and hit middle stump.

Bumrah finally got his rewards late in the innings. He bowled Carse with a perfectly aimed yorker on leg stump, then clipped Woakes’ leg stump to dismiss him. Shoaib Bashir was the final wicket to fall, bowled by Washington as England lost their last four wickets for just 11 runs, and their last six for 38.

India’s Chase Begins With Wickets Falling

India’s chase began poorly. In just the second over, Yashasvi Jaiswal tried to pull a short and wide delivery from Jofra Archer but only managed a top edge. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith easily took the catch.

Then, in the last 30 minutes of play, England took three more wickets. Karun Nair offered no shot to a delivery from Brydon Carse and was hit on the back leg. Shubman Gill was also lbw to Carse and failed to overturn the decision on review.

Nightwatchman Akash Deep walked in unprepared, still needing to put on his arm guard and gloves. Joe Root urged the crowd to express their frustration at the delay, echoing an earlier argument Gill had with Zak Crawley over time-wasting.

In a bizarre moment, Carse hit Akash Deep on the pads. The review showed the impact was just on the top of leg stump, and he survived. But before England could finish the day, they got one more over. Ben Stokes made it count, bowling Akash Deep with the last ball of the day.

Brief Scorecard