Twitter Reactions: Fearless England advancing towards historic run chase, India helpless

England need just 119 runs to win the match on the final day of the fifth Test.

By Vaishnavi Thiagarajan Iyer

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Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root
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Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root. (Photo by Gareth Copley – ECB/ECB via Getty Images)

A 107-run partnership between England openers Alex Lees and Zak Crawley, followed by an unbeaten 150-run stand between Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root for the fourth wicket helped the hosts end the fourth day on a higher note, thereby inching closer to a historic win. Chasing a target of 378 runs set by India, England got off to a great start, thanks to their openers who regained their mojo to add the crucial runs on the board. Only a spectacular effort can now bring the hosts back in the hunt.

Earlier in the day, India resumed at 125/3, with a lead of 257 runs, as the on-field batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant took charge of the game. The former had completed his half-century on the third day but failed to capitalize on the momentum as he fell prey to Stuart Broad’s pace as a 78-run partnership between the duo came to an end.

This time again, Shreyas Iyer failed to put up a show as he walked back to the pavilion scoring a 26-ball 19. Rishabh Pant got to his half-century and looked to play a similar knock as in the first innings, but Jack Leach had some different plans for the wicketkeeper-batter, as he scalped him to put a halt to India’s momentum.

The lower-order batters could not bat for a long time, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s plan to build the innings and give his team a defendable score failed as well. India ended the second innings scoring 245 runs and posted a 378-run target for the hosts to chase. After dishing out India early, England returned to bat with a bang as openers Lees and Crawley, who couldn’t do much in the first innings, added quick-fire runs to build up a strong partnership.

Jonny Bairstow and  JoeRoot change the face of the game

As India decided to change the ball, the decision worked in their favour as Jasprit Bumrah struck twice to dismiss the well-set Crawley (46 off 76) and Ollie Pope for a duck. India got another breakthrough when Lees was run out due to confusion between him and Root. Though it seemed like India had gained the upper hand, Root and Bairstow made it a nightmare for the Indian bowlers.

The duo bagged their individual half-centuries, and in the process, Bairstow achieved a great milestone as he completed 10,000 international runs. The two have been in the form of their life as they worked together towards reaching the target and winning the game. Bairstow (72* off 87) started off slow but gained an amazing pace later on, and Root (76* off 112) played his A-game as England finished the day at 259/3. On the final day, England need 119 runs to win the match and draw the series, whereas India need seven wickets to seal the deal.

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