India did not end the day 4 on a very strong note, as their batsmen lost wickets at regular intervals. Lord’s pitch is very different from the previous tracks, which offered a large -scale help for the batsmen, as a large pile of runs was made on every previous occasion.
Indian batsman Shubman Gill, who took command of the Indian series with the bat, has failed to score a promising run for India at Lord’s. While Yashasvi Jaiswal has also missed runs in the third Test, it has been KL Rahul which has anchored the Indian innings many times.
KL Rahul again convicted- pre-cricketrs come to his rescue
Indian batsman KL Rahul has been rejoiced again to not keep a strike in the final over of the second innings, when India stumbled to chase 193 in the final innings.
cricketballgame.com
KL Rahul was batting fluently in the entire innings, and he seemed the only Indian batsman who could add something to the Indian innings if he continues to bat on the last day. Therefore, the Indian management decided to send in Akash as a nightwatchman, which could help KL Rahul to avoid the 11 delivery.
The plan is likely to be due to the plan, KL faced most of the delivery to Akash, while he stayed at the end of the non-strayer.
Seeing the internet on what KL Rahul had spoken clearly, former Indian cricketers came to their defense.
Former cricketer Priyank Panchal mentions that, “During the last over of the day 4 at Lord’s, KL Rahul’s decision decided to go to the deep face, which used to pick up some eyebrows online online. But, from a cricketer’s lens, it was a logical, composed step.
He said, “Yes, Optics may feel a senior batsman living at the end of the non-strayer. But it is also that the role, sports awareness and clarity of long-term match thinking. It was about making decisions, and KL supported the team at this time.”
The former cricketer advised, “We often judge cricketers by optics, not the result.
During the last over of the day 4 at Lord’s, KL Rahul’s decision to decide to finalize Akash to a deep face. But, from a cricketer’s lens, it was a logical, composed step.
KL was batting fluent in the series and understands the big picture, … pic.twitter.com/Rl8dfrxxqo
– Priyank Panchal (@pkpanchal09) July 14, 2025
Former cricketer Dodda Ganesh has also supported Rahul, saying that whatever he does, the blame is always pinned on him, and also raised a question on the role of a nightwatchman.
No matter what KL Rahul does, he gets the blame.
It is shocking to say at least from an experienced journalist.
If KL had to play those 11 deliverys, then why was Akashdeep sent as one night watchman? https://t.co/hwpbomsSlb
– Doda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ದೊಡ್ಡ (@doddaganesha) July 14, 2025
Also read: ‘Rishabh Pant deliberately thrown Akash deeply’: India team companions make shocking revelations
India still needs several runs – KL Rahul departs, leaves India in crisis
All these controversies were kept separate, as KL Rahul remained India’s most important batsman, who remained firm on 33* at the end of day 4. The Centurion needed to play a big role with the first innings, if India was to win the match.
However, chasing just 193 runs as the target, 135 runs are still left, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant’s star pair failed to give India a promising leadership. After sending the sky deep to protect the wickets of these two batsmen, India could not get much from them.
Pant was out cheaply for 9 runs, while Rahul was rejected by Ben Stokes, England captain after a brief 5 -day brief stay. India, with 7 wickets, still needs 98 more runs to win, which seems to be a very difficult task for the batsmen at the crease.
Ashwin indicated why Pant was not sent yesterday
Former Indian spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin had earlier indicated today why Akash Deep was sent in front of Rishabh Pant in the end of day 4. One reason is obviously the management wanted Rishabh Pant to bat for a long time on day 5 and did not want to risk his wickets in low light on day 4.
However, Ashwin also has an insight that Pant does not like to walk towards the back of the innings with only a few minutes of game. He also mentioned a previous incident, where he saw such an incident with pants during his game’s days with Indian superstar.