With the Lord’s Test between visitors India and England of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy evenly poised with India needing 135 runs for a historic win at the ground with six wickets in hand, England too will hope to defend the target of 193 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the series. While India has lost four wickets including the wicket of night watchman Akash Deep before the end of the fourth day’s play of the Lord’s Test at a second innings’ total of 58 runs, the day had seen a total of 14 wickets falling with England being bundled out for a second innings total of 192 runs.
With first innings centurion KL Rahul unbeaten on 33 runs and Rishabh Pant set to come out bat next on Monday, former England captain Nasser Hussain has put his faith on “Mr Cool KL Rahul” and “Mr Chaos Rishabh Pant” to take India home.
“He has been there before. He has done it in Australia. He doesn’t bottle it. Rishabh Pant, he won’t be affected by pressure. He thrives on pressure. The two at the crease, we are presuming Rishabh Pant will come out tomorrow. Mr Cool KL Rahul, calm and calculated, who is getting runs for fun in this series and on this ground. Mr Chaos Rishabh Pant, but in that method that you know he knows exactly what he is doing. He handles pressure well. That’s the partnership you want to break,” Hussain told Sky Sports.
With England as well India losing their first four wickets on the fourth day within 100 runs, seamers as well spinners have come into play on a low bounce Lord’s pitch. India had lost four wickets in 17.4 overs but with a well-set KL Rahul at the crease with Pant to come, Hussain termed the match to be in slightly in favour of visitors, having a close 52 per cent chance of winning the Lord’s Test.
Hussain sees England having a chance only when they take advantage of the relatively new ball on Monday morning. “I think it’s maybe 52-48 in India’s favour. England have to use the newish ball and hit those cracks hard. These 135 runs are going to be hard work – unless Pant starts going. It will be a sell-out crowd with lots of India fans in and every boundary will be cheered, so it will be about coping with that atmosphere and controlling your emotions,” Hussain added.
The former England skipper also highlighted the reasons for both teams in case either of them lose. Hussain shared how Harry Brook’s attempted sweep shot off the bowling of Akashdeep during England’s second innings will be forgotten in case of a England win and Gill changing the second new ball after ten overs during England’s first innings too will be forgotten in terms of a India loss with both the tactics being talked in case of a loss for respective teams. “I cannot tell you how important a day tomorrow is. 2-1 down going to Old Trafford or 2-1 up and all things he talks about. If England wins, the Harry Brook shot gets put to bed. If England lose, you talk about it. If India lose and you talk about the ball change, when it was doing everything. If India wins, it’s all forgotten. So tomorrow is such a vital day leading to the last two days,” Hussain said.
Hussain’s fellow commentator and former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara believes that India losing four wickets in their second innings before end of the fourth day’s play gives England much confidence. “I think England will be more confident than India at the moment. The way I saw India bat, there were a few jitters. They seemed a bit negative. Washington Sundar told us they wanted to be one wicket down but I think they should have given themselves a target of runs.But if Rahul and Pant can stretch this partnership to beyond 100 for the team, then India are back in the driving seat. Pant will play his shots. You can’t go into your shell. If India do, England will be further in front. India must bat smart. Rahul can anchor but the rest have to score runs.” Sangakkara said.
