India lost the third Test to England by 22 runs at Lord’s Cricket Ground. The match was full of ups and downs over five exciting days. With this match, England now lead the five-match Anderson Tendulkar trophy by 2-1.
Chasing a target of 193, India were looking steady at 41/1 on Day 4. But England struck back and reduced them to 58/4 by stumps. On Day 5, India kept losing wickets and were bowled out for 170. Ravindra Jadeja fought hard with an unbeaten 61 off 181 balls. But India’s lower order could not support him for long.
India’s fourth-innings chasing record since 2010
India’s failure to chase in the fourth innings is not new. They have faced problems while chasing for many years. Since 2010, India have played 54 Tests where they batted in the fourth innings. Out of these, they won 21, lost 22, and drew 11.
Eight of their 21 wins came while chasing very low targets under 100. They also won seven games chasing between 100 and 199. One such win came earlier this year in Ranchi against England when they chased 192. Dhruv Jurel was the hero in that game.
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India have won five matches while chasing targets between 200 and 299. But their last such win came in 2012 against New Zealand in Bengaluru.
The only time India chased over 300 since 2010 was in Brisbane in 2021. They chased 328 against Australia in a historic win at The Gabba, with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant playing key roles.
Most wins at home, India struggles abroad
Out of the 21 wins, 15 came at home. India have won only six away Tests while chasing. Two of those came in Bangladesh, two in Australia, and one each in Sri Lanka and South Africa.
India have also lost 22 games while chasing during this period. Out of these, 16 losses came in away matches, one at a neutral venue, and only five at home. India’s fourth-innings struggles, especially away from home, remain a major concern.
