Lord’s Test: Chasing 272, England 9 down as India inch closer to victory

London, August 16

India pacers Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah achieved the unthinkable by first batting England out of contest and then leaving the hosts in tatters at 120 for 9 in the final session on day five of the second Test.

India’s long tail wagged as Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah shared an unbeaten 89-run stand before the declaration came shortly after lunch.

From a situation where a defeat looked imminent after Rishabh Pant’s (22) early dismissal, Shami (56 not out, 70 balls) and Bumrah (34 not out, 64 balls) displayed never before seen resolve in a record 89-run stand for the ninth wicket as India declared at 298 for 9, just 10 minutes into post lunch session to set England a 272-run target.

It was Shami’s second fifty in international cricket.

Brief scores:

India: 364 all out and 298/8 in 109.3 overs (Cheteshwar Pujara 45, Ajinkya Rahane 61, Mohammad Shami 56 not out; Mark Wood 3/51)

England 1st innings: 391 all out and 120/9 in 52 overs. PTI