Lord’s, London:
India turned the screws on England on Day 4 of the third Test at Lord’s, ripping through the hosts’ top order with relentless pace and precision. At lunch, England are reeling at 98 for 4, with India clearly in command of the match and the momentum.
Early Morning Carnage:
Resuming from an overnight score of 2/0, England’s hopes of a solid start were quickly dashed:
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Mohammed Siraj set the tone with a sharp short ball that Ben Duckett edged to Jasprit Bumrah at fine leg for 12. His next scalp, Ollie Pope (4), came via a beautifully pitched delivery that trapped him plumb in front.
MOHAMMAD SIRAJ BOSSING AT LORD’S. 🔥
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) July 13, 2025
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Zak Crawley, who was involved in a heated end to Day 3, looked unsettled and was dismissed by Nitish Kumar Reddy, caught smartly by Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully for 22.
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Just before lunch, Akash Deep produced a lethal in-swinger to castle Harry Brook for 23, dealing England a major blow and ensuring India headed into the break with their tails up.
Strategy Pays Off:
India’s strategy heading into Day 4 was clear: strike early, maintain pressure, and don’t let England settle. That plan has worked to near perfection so far.
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Aggressive field placements by skipper Shubman Gill, including close-in catchers and a helmeted keeper up to the stumps, have rattled the English batters.
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The fast bowlers have rotated intelligently, mixing sharp bouncers with full, swinging deliveries keeping the batters guessing on every ball.
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The intensity and body language on the field have also stood out. Animated celebrations by Siraj and Nitish Kumar Reddy after key wickets reflect India’s hunger to seize this Test.
Also Read: Fiery India Ready To Hunt Down England On Day 4 At Lord’s!
Key Stats at Lunch:
| England 2nd Innings | 98/4 (Lead: 98runs) |
|---|---|
| Wickets Lost | Duckett (12), Pope (4), Crawley (22), Brook (23) |
| Not Out Batsmen | Joe Root (16*), Ben Stokes (0*) |
| Top Indian Bowlers | Siraj 2/26, Reddy 1/19, Akash Deep 1/20 |
With England four wickets down and the cream of their top order back in the pavilion, India are firmly on top. A few more quick wickets in the post-lunch session could hand India a manageable fourth innings chase, especially on a surface that’s beginning to offer uneven bounce.
England’s hopes now rest on the experienced pair of Joe Root and Ben Stokes. They must dig deep to put up a target that can challenge India.
What Lies Ahead:
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For India: The plan is simple keep the pressure up, continue bowling attacking lines, and aim to wrap up the England innings quickly to leave enough time for a fourth-innings chase.
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For England: Survival is the immediate priority. They need a partnership, particularly from Root and Stokes, to stretch the lead past 150 at least.
“Bazball” has hit a serious roadblock at Lord’s. England’s famed attacking approach looks in disarray under India’s fierce and focused bowling unit. With the visitors hungry to go one up in the series, Day 4 could well decide the fate of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The post-lunch session promises to be pivotal and potentially final for England’s resistance.
