[VWAllstar]

Pant heads back to the pavillion. Sometimes I feel bad for him, he need to be given opportunities to play his natural game. The Dukes bowl is doing a lot but the pitch is quite good for batting. Now another 20 runs too would be like bonus.

Its still anyones game. All three results possible however a draw would be less likely. Need to uproot the best batsmen of England for very less.

[comfortablynumb]

Bumrah and Shami inching towards a lead of 200. I have a feeling that might just be enough, given that England is also no less of a collapse expert than India!

EDIT: Lead is 220 now. I'm getting sorely tempted to watch on TV, but don't want to jinx it, so will continue following on cricinfo!

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

Bumrah and Shami inching towards a lead of 200. I have a feeling that might just be enough, given that England is no less of a collapse expert than India!

Crossed 200 now. Best thing was Bhumrah being fired up. There were talks in the middle with Bhumrah saying "I did not ask him to bowl slow" to Butler.

Many of Bhumrah's straight drives are hitting the stumps at the NS end. Indeed he has worked hard on his batting.

England bowlers have started losing it. They are going for pace and bouncers with field spread all over. Surely, thats not wise considering both batsmen arent known for their technique.

These two are killing it. With each passing over, Engalnd's required scoring rate is going up. This is going to be an entertaining last day of Test Cricket.

[NPV]

Lead of 200+, full marks to Pant and the tailenders, they've taken the fight to the English camp, setting it up well for a fair, well fought finish
In the process, English bowlers are getting frustrated and they seem to be shaken which is also bringing out their unsporting side with unwanted banter. Again, I get the feeling this is going like the Australia series, bowlers are bowling short and spraying the ball all around the stumps to tailenders

Moeen Ali brought in to the attack now! Can he do what their pacers couldn't ?

A 50 for Bumrah/Shami will be the icing on the cake - I'm getting greedy now!

[VWAllstar]

There is Ganpati Bappa Mourya Chant at Lords

With these two batting, even Sanjay Manjrekar's commentary is feeling bearable.

Root is evidently frustrated and controlling his emotions.

What you guys feel, should India set a target of 270 to be chased in 2.5 sessions? There would be a fair chance to both. If we are able to get Root early then, we may even win the match.

[Chetan_Rao]

India win or draw the only two results in play now? Would England risk a chase with an out-of-form batting line up (barring Root)?

[Eddy]

Good that they have riled up Anderson. All we need now is for him to put in some extra effort and tweak a hamstring.

[jkrishnakj]

What a tactical blunder by Root to spread out the field even before Shami and Boom crossed two digits. Paying the price now. And needless chats also probably fired up both our bowlers to play straight drives and cover drives.

Such an enjoyable session.

We can’t lose anymore now. Lets see if a declaration is under way.

[AtheK]

Most emotional person right now - Shami ki Mummy

well played shami!!!

[NPV]

A declaration at lunch ? That wiill demolish the English morale. Will go a long way in this mind game going into the remaining matches in this series.

Edit: on a lighter note, need some "Lessons in batting" sessions from Shami and Bumrah for our middle order batsmen Pujara, Kohli and Rahane

[comfortablynumb]

If Kohli declares at lunch, it will be 260 to win for England in 64 overs (or will it be 62?). Sibley, Burns and Root are the key wickets. If they go cheaply, the rest would be 1 panicky hour away from an epic collapse!

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by NPV

A declaration at lunch ? That wiill demolish the English morale. Will go a long way in this mind game going into the remaining matches in this series.

They may bat for few overs with Shami having the licence to slog before a declaration is made. Kohli will want that extra cushion to make sure we draw the test if not win it.

Root will come under heavy criticism for his field settings and English bowlers for their length.

Anderson asked Shami or Bhumrah "To stop smiling"

[SoumenD]

Indian lower order is full of surprises. Shami and Bumrah have pulled off a Washington-Shardul from Australia series Root must be scratching his head. They are trying Australian tactics now with sledging and all but probably got the best response by our bowlers(with the bat).

India can’t loose from here. Win also seems unlikely. I would prefer letting these gentlemen play out and who knows maybe someone scores a maiden century at Lords?

[PPS]

Pitch has not deteriorated enough to enforce a result! Feel bad light could be a factor later on! Atleast India can't lose from here which is great news considering the top order collapse yesterday.

[NPV]

England's target is 272, India declared and has the upper hand now, we go up in the mental/mind game as well since the declaration is definitely a morale booster.
Will England go for the win ? I think they will try to save this game without taking risks.

*Did the post lunch declaration have something to do with the slow over rate calculation ? England will probably lose points for that ? Plus the fact that they will have less time for a plan/strategy for the chase.

Edit:Bumrah gets a wicket in the very first over, Rory Burns gone!

In the second over Shami gets Sibley, England 2 down!