London, July 12 (UNI) KL Rahul marked his second century of the series with a commanding knock of 100 as India fought back valiantly on Day 3 of the second Test against England, finishing the tea session at 316 for 5, trailing by 71 runs.
The day saw momentum swing between the two sides, but a 141-run stand between Rahul and Rishabh Pant, followed by solid resistance from Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy, kept India firmly in the contest.
India resumed at 145 for 3 with Rahul on 53 and Pant on 19. What followed was a composed yet assertive partnership that frustrated the English attack. Pant, battling an injured finger, played freely and brought up his half-century in 86 balls, peppering the off-side with cuts and drives while unleashing two sixes against Bashir and Stokes. His 74 off 112 balls ended in dramatic fashion as Ben Stokes effected a brilliant direct hit from cover to run him out just before lunch, halting a dangerous surge.
Rahul continued to bat with calm and class, finding the gaps with surgical precision. His 13 boundaries were a mix of gentle glances, assured punches, and elegant drives, particularly against Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse.
He brought up his century off 177 deliveries, punching Jofra Archer to mid-off and scampering a quick single in the 67th over. The celebration was muted, but the significance was immense — a second century at Lord’s, repeating his 2021 heroics.
But the joy was short-lived. Rahul perished just five balls later, falling to a loose push outside off against Shoaib Bashir, edging to Harry Brook at slip. His dismissal, like Pant’s earlier, came at a crucial juncture both departing either side of lunch allowing England a sniff.
Jadeja and Reddy, however, denied the hosts any further success. The duo added an unbeaten 62-run stand for the sixth wicket, frustrating England’s second new-ball attack.
Jadeja (40* at tea) displayed a mix of grit and opportunism, punishing anything loose. He flicked Jofra Archer fine for four and drove Carse past point. Reddy, cautious to start with, grew in confidence, playing some crisp shots including a fine-leg glance off Woakes and a lofted four over mid-wicket off Bashir.
There were nervy moments too. At least three mix-ups nearly resulted in run-outs, particularly in the 71st and 84th overs, but poor fielding and inaccurate throws spared India. One such moment saw both batsmen stranded mid-pitch, relying on a fumbled throw from Ben Duckett to survive.
England took the second new ball at 80.1 overs hoping for breakthroughs, but the Indian lower middle order stood its ground. Archer and Carse’s lines drifted too often onto the pads, allowing easy boundaries, and the fielding let down opportunities to apply pressure.
At tea, India stood at 316 for 5 in 91 overs. The fight shown by Rahul, Pant, and now the Jadeja-Reddy pair has not only pulled India back into the match but opened the door to a possible first-innings lead. The evening session could well determine whether India can stretch this innings into dominance.
