KL Rahul smashed a brilliant century while Ravindra Jadeja grabbed his third straight half-century as India perfectly matched England's massive 387 total during Saturday's Lord's thriller. The visitors looked totally dominant when opener Rahul and explosive wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant built a crushing 141-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Both batsmen crashed back to earth around lunchtime though, leaving India wobbling dangerously at 254-5. Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy steadied the ship with a gritty 72-run stand that lasted 27 tense overs. The series remains deadlocked at 1-1 after another nerve-shredding day of cricket between these perfectly matched teams.
Drama erupted when England tried sneaky time-wasting tactics just before stumps as Zak Crawley suddenly called for medical attention after facing just five balls from Jasprit Bumrah. Furious Indian players surrounded the England opener while captain Shubman Gill exchanged heated words with Crawley near the wickets. The controversial incident capped a day filled with unscheduled drink breaks and mysterious delays that had already frustrated both sides. England managed just one over before reaching the close at 2-0, barely ahead heading into Sunday's crucial second innings battle. The heated exchanges suggest both teams feel the pressure mounting as the series reaches boiling point.
Drama erupted when England tried sneaky time-wasting tactics just before stumps as Zak Crawley suddenly called for medical attention after facing just five balls from Jasprit Bumrah. Furious Indian players surrounded the England opener while captain Shubman Gill exchanged heated words with Crawley near the wickets. The controversial incident capped a day filled with unscheduled drink breaks and mysterious delays that had already frustrated both sides. England managed just one over before reaching the close at 2-0, barely ahead heading into Sunday's crucial second innings battle. The heated exchanges suggest both teams feel the pressure mounting as the series reaches boiling point.
