London, Sep 3 (Agency) Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul took India to 43/0 at stumps, trailing by 56 runs against England in the fourth Test, here on Friday. England posted a total of 290 in the first innings and took a 99 runs lead against India. After the visitors had bowled England out in the first half of the final session, Rohit Sharma ot a lifeline early in India’s second outing.
He finished the day unbeaten on 20* with KL Rahul keeping him company on 22. Rohit also completed 15,000 international runs, becoming the eighth India batsman to reach the mark. Earlier, England resumed the day with Dawid Malan batting on 26 alongside Craig Overton who was on nightwatchman duties. However, Overton’s stay didn’t last long and was dismissed early on day two by Umesh Yadav for 1. Then, Yadav removed Malan for 31. Thereafter, Jonny Bairstow and Ollie Pope stitched together a clinical partnership of 89 runs for the sixth wicket. Bairstow scored a steady 37 before Mohammed Siraj produced an inswinging delivery that did Bairstow for leg-before. Pope continued to show grit to bring England to parity and extend the lead thereon along with Moeen Ali. The two put up a 71-run partnership during which Pope brought up his sixth Test fifty.
Brief Scores: India 191 and 43 for 0 (KL Rahul 22 batting, Rohit Sharma 20 batting); England 1st Innings 290 (Ollie Pope 81, Chris Woakes 50, Umesh Yadav 3/76, Jasprit Bumrah 2/67).