Lord’s, London:
After a gripping Day 3 of the third Test in the Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy, momentum has shifted sharply as India takes aim at bowling out England quickly and seizing control on Day 4 at Lord’s.
Late-night heat:
India completed their first innings at 387 exactly matching England’s 387 with stellar contributions from KL Rahul (100), Rishabh Pant (74), and Ravindra Jadeja (72). But the dramatic closing over stole the show: England openers resumed at 2/0 before a fiery confrontation ensued. Zak Crawley, accused of deliberate time-wasting, refused to resume play despite India’s desire for two overs. Frustrated, captain Shubman Gill erupted, shouting into the stump mic for Crawley to “grow some f***ing balls,” sparking verbal exchanges and boos from the crowd.
Ye #NayaIndia hain. Unke ground par, unhi ko daraata hai 🥵
Sunday, the script gets wild 🔥
Dekhiye #ENGvIND 3rd Test Day 4, Sony Sports Network ke TV channels par! 📺#SonySportsNetwork #GroundTumharaJeetHamari #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/4dfS8ZN13s
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 12, 2025
India’s Day 4 strategy: Strike early, enforce dominance
- New ball aggression through Bumrah:
India will unleash their premier pace duo at the top, aiming for early breakthroughs. Jasprit Bumrah, threatening with his accurate swing, has already signaled intent, while Jofra Archer who bowled at a scorching 90.3 mph yesterday remains India’s major pace test after breaking his own speed record. - Exploit Crawley-Duckett’s vulnerability: With both openers on tenterhooks after the late drama, India may target this fragile start by attacking the stumps and inducing mistakes early. Sedate, probing lines mixed with sudden pace spikes could rattle them.
- Maintain aggression in the field: India’s intensity at the end of Day 3 showed their intent. A fiery attitude on the field, with sharp field placements and vocal energy, could stoke England’s nerves and amplify pressure.
- Maintain fitness and composure: KL Rahul’s composed ton, along with Jadeja’s gritty 72 and Pant’s 74, delivered stability. That same mental fortitude will be crucial for India’s bowling unit to sustain high pressure, especially as the pitch begins to show wear.
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Tipping the balance:
Day 4 could define this Test and the series. India’s bold plan: strike early, set the tone, and expose England’s new-ball frailties. With the match delicately poised, a few wickets upfront could seal the game reminiscent of Edgbaston’s thrill.
England, meanwhile, must regroup fast. Their bowlers need to strike with the new ball, while Crawley and Duckett must silence critics in the middle.
What to expect
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Early drama: Will Crawley respond with grit or wobble under pressure?
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Bowler battle: Bumrah vs Archer India’s bowling spearheads versus England’s resilience.
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Pitch progression: Lord’s track may begin to offer reverse swing or inconsistent bounce favoring India’s all-out effort.
As Day 4 dawns, expect a charged atmosphere on-field aggression, strategic cunning, and Test cricket at its rawest. One thing’s certain: fiery India will be out hunting early.
