Root century, Bumrah five-wicket haul sets up exciting final day in Nottingham

SCORECARD

With an overnight lead of 70 runs, India were in search of a breakthrough in the first hour. Mohammed Siraj provided just that with the wicket of Rory Burns who perished for 18 runs.

Immediately in the next over, Jasprit Bumrah too snared his first. The out-of-form Zak Crawley’s struggles in 2021 continued as he edged the ball to Rishabh Pant.

It was the third-wicket partnership of 89 runs between Joe Root and Dom Sibley that gave the hosts a lead. Root registered back-to-back fifties in the Test and his control over the innings suggested a big one was loading.

Sibley departed against Bumrah for a well-fought 28 that came in 133 balls. Then, Johnny Bairstow arrived at the crease to stitch a 42-run stand with Root of which he scored 30 runs. He fell against Siraj after he pulled a short one straight to Ravindra Jadeja at the square leg boundary.

Dan Lawrence joined Root for a quick-fire 25 off 32 balls but Shardul Thakur trapped him in front for his first wicket of the innings. In the second session, England added 116 runs to take their lead to 140 with Joe Root on the verge of his 21st hundred.

Thakur made an immediate impact after tea, with a peach of a delivery that dismissed the dangerous-looking Buttler. Sam Curran and Root stitched together a vital partnership of 37 runs as Root brought up a magnificent century. Soon after though, he had to depart as Bumrah found his rhythm, bringing an end to his excellent knock of 109.

Sam Curran's crucial knock of 32 would come to an end against Bumrah. Stuart Broad would perish in the next delivery itself as Bumrah celebrated his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Mohammad Shami would finish off the job dismissing Ollie Robinson as India were set a target of 209 for victory.

In reply, India got off to a solid start in testing conditions. Stuart Broad though, had the perfect start to his second spell, bowling a sensational delivery to get the wicket of KL Rahul for 26, who was looking in sublime form.

Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara would see through the remaining overs, setting up a nail-biting finale for day five, with India needing 157 more runs for victory.