IND VS ENG: Root & Baristow take lead, 119 to win

An unbeaten 150-run partnership between Joe Root (76 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (72 not out) kept England steering the ship against India at Stumps on Day 4 of the ongoing rescheduled fifth Test match.

The duo of Root and Bairstow originally steadied the England ship after the side got reduced to 109/3 and afterward benefited from it to put India completely on the back foot. England were 259/3 at Stumps on Monday, requiring 119 more to win.

Before the hosts lost three wickets in their second innings, Lees and Crawley had set the side in a commanding position with a 107-run opening stand.

Afterward, Jasprit Bumrah’s twin strikes and a run-out provided India with a hint of hope but the duo of Root and Bairstow kept India on edge once more. The hosts eye history as they chase a big total against India. Prior on Monday, India got bundled out for 245 runs in their second innings to set a 378-run target for England. Cheteshwar Pujara was the top scorer in the innings with 66 runs while Rishabh Pant followed him with a 57-run thump.

On the bowling front, Ben Stokes returned 4 for 33, while Stuart Broad and Matty Potts guaranteed two wickets each. Outstandingly, India had acquired a first-innings lead of 132 runs versus England in the match.

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England have their nose ahead after reaching 259 for 3 in chase for 378 at stumps on the fourth day of the rescheduled fifth Test match against India here on Monday. Jonny Bairstow (72 batting) and Joe Root (76 batting) were at the crease having added 150 runs for the fourth wicket stand after Alex Lees (56) and Zak Crawley (46) added 107 runs for the opening stand. Captain Jasprit Bumrah got two wickets as England went into the final day requiring just 119 runs. Prior, India were bowled out for 245 in their subsequent innings, riding on half-centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara (66) and Rishabh Pant (57).

England 259/3 at Stumps

They need to score 118 runs on Day 5 to dominate this match. In whatever other circumstance, that is no easy target in a Test match however in this situation, it seems to be simple for the hosts. Partnership between Root and Bairstow is on 151 off 197 balls. Root has scored 76 off 110 balls while Bairstow is on 73 off 89. India will have early wickets and nothing else as a priority when they walk out tomorrow. It will be the difference between winning and drawing this series.