The Lord’s Test has been nothing short of a blockbuster so far. From slow, grinding sessions to explosive spells of bowling, we’ve seen it all. But now, heading into Day Five, there’s no ambiguity — this match will have a result. No weather threats, no draw scenarios. It’s simple: India or England — who will rise?
Even though England ended Day Four with a slight edge, picking up key wickets in the final hour, India is still very much in the game. With KL Rahul still at the crease and the lower middle order fresh and capable, India will fancy their chances chasing down the target of 193.
First Session Crucial: Momentum is Everything
One thing is clear — the first session of Day Five will dictate the entire result. If India can score 70-80 runs with minimal damage, the match might just tilt in their favor. KL Rahul’s presence is gold. He’s shown resilience and technique under pressure. If he can settle in and build a platform with Pant or Jadeja, things will move swiftly.
In fact, based on the previous innings, we’ve already seen KL and Pant stitch together a 141-run partnership. If they can recreate even half of that magic, the English bowlers might start feeling the heat.
Tactical Game - Light Roller vs Heavy Roller
One of the underrated yet decisive elements going into Day Five is the choice of roller. A heavy roller might flatten the surface temporarily but could also open up more cracks for spin and uneven bounce later in the session. That’s why it’s better for India to opt for the light roller, keep the surface as raw as possible, and bank on their solid top order to negate the early movement.
And let’s not forget — Lord’s has a unique slope, which can trouble both batsmen and bowlers. From the Pavilion End, the ball tends to nip in more due to the slope, while the Nursery End is relatively flatter. Smart reading of the ends and bowlers’ rhythm will be key.
England’s Bowling — One Last Push
Brendon Cocker has found a good rhythm, so India must be cautious against him. But Jaffer, on the other hand, has struggled with his length. Most of the wickets in this Test have come from good or fuller-length deliveries — bowled or LBW. So, Indian batters should look to play Jaffer more confidently and capitalize on the loose balls.
Also, England bowlers have shown a tendency to fade after 10-12 overs. If India can survive the initial fire, the game is theirs to lose.
Day Four Highlights — Turning Points
Day Four gave us a rollercoaster of moments:
Siraj and Bumrah were absolute fire with the new ball. Their early spell blew away England’s top order.
Akashdeep took sweet revenge on Harry Brook with a clever field change and disciplined line.
Root and Stokes threatened with a 67-run partnership, but Washington Sundar’s spell was game-changing.
Sundar’s variation and ability to drift the ball in mid-air completely unsettled England’s set batters. He got Root, Stokes, and Smith — three of England’s most dangerous players.
Let’s not ignore the umpiring drama either. India had several close calls turned down, while England benefitted from a few soft decisions. It’s fair to say the standard of umpiring dipped in this Test. Yet, despite that, India kept fighting.
India needs just 78 more runs with 6 wickets in hand. With the likes of KL Rahul, Pant, and Jadeja still to bat, they are in with a real shot. But they’ll need to respect the conditions, rotate strike smartly, and punish the bad balls.
England, on the other hand, will come out firing. Early wickets will be their only way in. The crowd will be behind them, the pitch will have some bite, and their bowlers will have the new ball in hand.
But one thing is clear — a draw is off the table. Lord’s is ready for a grand finale.
Will India seal it and create history on English soil?
Or will England snatch victory in their fortress?
Buckle up. Day Five is going to be a thriller.
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