England vs India: Deepti Sharma rings the customary bell at Lord’s on Day 4

Day 4 of the ongoing second Test match between England and India has a lot in prospect with the game hanging in balance. After restricting the visitors to 364 in the first innings, the Three Lions posted 391 runs. Although Joe Root’s men have earned a first-innings lead of 27 runs, one must not forget that they will last on this surface. Hence, this game is perfectly poised after the conclusion of Day 3.

Meanwhile, the proceedings on Day 4 started with Indian women’s cricket team all-rounder Deepti Sharma ringing the customary five-minute bell at the Lord’s Cricket Stadium. Deepti, who has played 1 Test, 61 ODIs, and 54 T20Is, is currently plying her trade for London Spirit in the ongoing The Hundred Women’s. For the unversed, the tradition of an international cricketer, administrator, or a well-known sports personality ringing the bell during a Lord’s Test started in 2007.

Deepti Sharma joins the list of legends

Deepti became the second Indian to ring the bell during this match. Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer had the honour on the third day. While Enid Bakewell opened proceedings on Day 1, Andrew Strauss rang the bell on the second day.

🔔 India international @Deepti_Sharma06 will be ringing the five-minute bell on Day Four at Lord's.#LoveLords | #ENGvIND

— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) August 15, 2021

Meanwhile, both teams have been neck-to-neck in this contest so far and it would be interesting to see how the remaining game pans out. As far as the happenings of Day 3 are concerned, England resumed at their overnight score of 119/3. With the sun coming out and bowlers not getting a lot of assistance from the surface, the conditions were brilliant for batting.

Skipper Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow made optimum utilization of the opportunity, adding 121 runs for the fourth wicket. Bairstow eventually fell prey to Mohammed Siraj but not before scoring a well-compiled 57. India then forged a comeback and took wickets regularly. Root, however, was as solid as rock at one end as no Indian bowlers could pierce his defenses.

The England skipper eventually advanced to his 22nd Test ton as England went past India’s total. Root remained unbeaten at 180 and it would be interesting to see whether his efforts will prove fruitful or not. Meanwhile, Day 4 of the contest can well decide the fate of the game and both teams must put their best foot forward.