England vs India 2021, 2nd Test, Day 4 Stats Review: Rahane reaches multiple milestones with fighting half-century, Mooen joins elite list

It’s advantage for England at the end of Day 4 of the ongoing second against India. The game was perfectly poised at stumps on the third day. However, a brilliant bowling effort saw the Three Lions gaining the command. The likes of Mark Wood and Moeen Ali made the red cherry talk and pushed Team India on the back foot. At stumps on a penultimate day, the visitors were 181/6, having a lead of 154 runs.

Although England would definitely be pleased with the scoreline, they shouldn’t be complacent as they have to bat last on this track. Hence, Joe Root’s men must look to take the remaining four wickets to minimize their target. At the same time, the visitors would aim to forge a comeback by putting up a substantial all-round effort. Hence, an exciting final day of Test cricket is awaiting fans.

Speaking of the happenings of Day 4, India, conceding a lead of 27 runs, came out to bat in the third innings. They didn’t get a stellar start with in-form openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul getting dismissed cheaply. Skipper Virat Kohli also couldn’t do much as Team India was restricted to 55/3. However, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane joined forces to bring their side back in the hunt.

It must be noted that both these players were short of runs lately. However, the duo embraced the challenge and put up a century stand for the fourth wicket. While Pujara made 45 runs, Rahane registered a well-compiled fifty. Just when the visitors looked back in command, England bowlers took three quick wickets at the brink of day’s play.

Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma will start proceedings for India on Day 5 and the duo has a job in hand. While the visitors would like to post a substantial total, the Three Lions aim to skittle India out early and chase the target at the Mecca of Cricket.

Meanwhile, here are the important stats and numbers from the England vs India 2nd Test Day 4

2018 – This was the first half-century stand between Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane since the 87 they scored against Australia at Adelaide in December 2018.

100 – This is the first century-run partnership between Pujara and Rahane outside Asia. Overall, it was the fifth instance of the duo adding 100 runs in a Test inning.

8000 – Ajinkya Rahane completed 8000 runs in international cricket. Overall, he became the 16th Indian batsman to achieve the feat.

8 – Rahane also became the eighth Indian batter to complete 2000 Test runs in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries.

1990 – Virat Kohli is the first Indian captain to score 50+ runs in a Lord’s Test match (both innings total) since Mohammad Azharuddin in 1990.

175 – Pujara and Rahane took 175 balls to add 50 runs for the fourth wicket. In the last 20 years, there has been only one slower 50-run stand for India. Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin took 246 balls to reach the 50-run stand at Sydney earlier this year.

206 – Cheteshwar Pujara took 206 balls to score 45 in this innings. These are the most number of balls faced by him without scoring a half-century in a Test inning. In 2020, he made a 160-ball 43 against Australia in Adelaide.

300 – Moeen Ali became the third England spinner to complete 300 wickets in international cricket. Graeme Swann (410) and Derek Underwood (329) are the other two holding the feat.