Lord's Test: Murali Vijay steady as India stutter

Murali Vijay in full flight against England at the Lord's Cricket Ground in London on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images

London: India lost three wickets in quick succession but fought back through Murali Vijay's gutsy half-century to take their overall lead to 145, leaving the second Test against England interestingly poised, here on Saturday.


Murali Vijay in full flight against England at the Lord's Cricket Ground in London on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images

At stumps on third day, India were 169-4 despite a solid 78-run second wicket stand between Vijay (59 batting) and Cheteshwar Pujara (43).

Vijay is in company of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who survived a hostile spell from Stuart Broad to remain undefeated on 12 off 51 balls having added crucial 46 runs with Vijay for the fifth wicket.

Vijay's patient innings
The Tamil Nadu opener has shown tremendous patience during his 190-ball knock which had seven fours but more impressive was his decisiveness while leaving deliveries outside the off-stump.

With England batting deep, it will be interesting to see what kind of target is set by the Indian batsmen.

India will be aiming for a lead of 250-plus in order to make a match of it on a Lord's track which will then help Bhuvneshwar Kumar & Co to exploit the conditions.

It was 6-82 was the main reason for India getting England out for 319 in their first innings thereby restricting the first innings lead to 24.