Daijiworld Media Network – London
London, Jul 14: A gripping Day 4 at Lord's saw high drama unfold as England’s skipper Ben Stokes turned up the heat—verbally and literally—on India’s Test captain Shubman Gill, with the visitors collapsing to 58/4 in pursuit of a modest 193-run target.
Shubman Gill, who had amassed a staggering 585 runs across the first two Tests with knocks of 269, 161, and 147, was greeted with sharp sledging from Stokes as he walked in to bat under fading light.
"Six hundred runs and he's done for this series. 600 runs is enough for this fella," Stokes was heard quipping to his teammates, targeting Gill with mind games as the pressure mounted.
Unfortunately for Gill, the taunt proved ominous. He lasted just nine nervy balls before falling LBW to Brydon Carse for 6 runs, further denting India’s hopes on a challenging Lord’s surface.
India, who had bowled England out for 192 in their second innings—thanks largely to off-spinner Washington Sundar's brilliant spell of 4/22—looked poised for control. With both teams scoring 387 in the first innings, the target of 193 seemed manageable until the top order crumbled.
Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a duck, mistiming a hook off Jofra Archer, while Karun Nair also departed LBW to Carse. And just before stumps, Stokes got in on the action with the ball, clean-bowling nightwatchman Akash Deep to wild cheers from the Lord's crowd.
Despite the carnage, opener KL Rahul stood firm at 33 not out, keeping India’s hopes alive heading into Day 5. With 135 runs still needed and only six wickets in hand, a thrilling finish awaits in what has been a fiercely contested five-match series, currently locked at 1-1.
All eyes now turn to Monday, where the Lord’s crowd may witness either a historic chase—or a stunning English comeback.