Rishabh Pant overcame ache in his left index finger to attain an entertaining half-century earlier than getting run out at the stroke of lunch, leaving India at 248 for 4 on day three of the second Test towards England on Saturday (July 12, 2025).
(*74*) Okay.L. Rahul (98 not out, 171 balls) closing in on his tenth Test hundred and second at Lord’s, Pant (74 off 112) tried an avoidable fast single in the final over of the session however Ben Stokes pulled off a superb direct hit operating in from cowl to provide his group one thing in a session managed by the opposition.
The partnership between Rahul and Pant yielded 141 runs off 198 balls.
Pant, batting by ache because of the finger harm he suffered whereas conserving on day one, made his intentions clear even towards the categorical tempo of Jofra Archer.
Archer gave Pant a freebie on the leg-side to start out the day’s proceedings earlier than the southpaw stepped out of the crease for a slash on the off-side. Barring these two fours, Pant and Rahul selected to be watchful for the primary half-hour, amassing simply 14 runs in seven overs.
While Indian batters did not rating too many in that part, England bowlers additionally did not appear penetrative with Archer bowling too many bouncers that have been left alone by Rahul, who shielded Pant from the speedster extra due to latter’s harm.
After this part, runs started to stream when Rahul perfected a punch off the again foot.
Like England had deliberate for Shubman Gill, the wicket-keeper was introduced near the stumps in an try to discourage Pant from leaving his crease. The transfer labored briefly till Pant determined to step up on the offensive.
In between breaks, Pant was nursing his injured finger with the assistance of physio.
Resuming the day at 145 for three, India reached 197 for three in the primary hour of play. England had requested for a ball change after the opening hour and the request was accredited by the umpires.
Rahul had punished Brydon Carse for three successive fours to get a transfer on his innings. If one regarded at the statistics, Rahul’s false shot proportion has been a mere 12 % in the entire sequence up to now.
Pant, on the opposite hand, pulled Ben Stokes over tremendous leg to convey up his half-century. His second six of the innings was a six down the bottom off Shoaib Bashir.
