Bairstow & Root Put England On Path To Historic Run Chase Against India; Score 259/3 At Stumps On Day 4

ENG vs IND - All the hype about Bazzball from the past three days and yet the English batter's sensible batting on day 4 has put them on the brink of completing a record-breaking run chase. Chasing a target of 378, England ended day 4 at 259/3, needing another 119 runs to win the match on day 5. 

After English openers Alex Lees (56) and Zak Crawley (46) provided an opening partnership of 107 runs, Bumrah struck just an over before tea, dismissing Zak Crawley. Jasprit Bumrah yet again struck with his first ball after tea, dismissing Ollie Pope for a duck. After which, Alex Lees was run out due to a close call for a single by Joe Root.

However, in form batters Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow held the crease for England at 109/3 and etched an unbeaten partnership of 151 runs for the 4th wicket, putting England well and good on the path of a record-breaking run chase. At stumps on day 4, Joe Root was unbeaten at 76 while Jonny Bairstow was not out for 74.

Earlier in the day, India continued their overnight score of 125/3 and lost 4 wickets in the first session. Rishabh Pant completed his fifty while Cheteshwar Pujara was the top scorer with 66 runs as India were bowled out for 245 in the second session, setting a target of 378 runs for England to win and level the 5-match series. 

England then went on to score 107/1 at the end of session 2, and after losing two quick wickets just after tea, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow plundered 152 runs in 34 overs in the third session at a run rate of 4.47.

Also Read: Scorecard

Earlier, England captain Ben Stokes won the toss & opted to bowl first against India in the final test, after which India posted 416 on the board with centuries from Rishabh Pant (146) and Ravindra Jadeja (104), despite James Anderson's 5-fer. In reply, England were bowled out for 284 runs despite a ton from Jonny Bairstow (106). This match is being played at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Brief Score:

• England - 259/3, need 119 runs to win
• India - 245/10
• England - 284/10
• India - 416/10