The China Mail - Sundar says 'aggressive' India all set for exciting Lord's finale

After 14 wickets fell on Sunday's fourth day, a capacity crowd of 30,000 is expected for Monday's finale.

England were dismissed for just 192 in their second innings only for India to collapse to 58-4 before the close of the fourth day.

India nightwatchman Akash Deep was bowled by England captain Ben Stokes off what became the last ball of Sunday's play but opener KL Rahul, fresh from his first-innings century, was still there on 33 not out.

Both teams now have a chance to go 2-1 up in this five-match series, with India requiring 135 more runs and England six wickets.

India have won just three of their 19 previous Tests at Lord's but off-spinner Sundar's impressive haul of 4-22 in 12.1 overs put them in sight of another success.

Sundar, whose return included the wickets of Joe Root, Jamie Smith and Stokes, said: "Winning as a team at Lord's would be very special, amazing.

"It's Test cricket, no matter the situation we always expect 100 percent every single day... no matter what the scoreboard looks like."

"It's going to be exciting tomorrow, the last 15-20 minutes was quite interesting today," he added.

There were few flare-ups as England and India exchanged wins at Headingley and Edgbaston.

Tensions, however, have risen at Lord's, with England opener Zak Crawley's time-wasting tactics late on Saturday sparking a foul-mouthed response from India captain Shubman Gill.

- 'Boiling point' -

Mohammed Siraj could also face disciplinary action after his angry send-off of Ben Duckett on Sunday ended with the pair brushing shoulders.

"Aggression is always inside of us, in both dressing rooms I'd say," said Sundar. "There was an incident that happened and it came out last (Saturday) evening. It came out quite a bit today as well."

He added: "This is sport, everyone is quite aggressive and quite intense in their own way. no matter the sport, if you're an athlete it's a common factor I'd say."

England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick, himself a former Test opener, had no qualms about the heightened emotions at Lord's.

"Both teams are passionate about playing the game and it is understandable that at times it gets to a boiling point," he said.

"There will be things that happen between the two teams but both teams know there's a line you can't cross but it's not really been troubled too much.

"It helps the atmosphere in the series."

England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir batted at the end of the innings but did not take the field Sunday as he continues to protect an injury to the little finger of his left hand.

Trescothick confirmed he had been cleared to bowl on a fifth-day pitch that will likely aid spin more than at any other time in the match.

A.Kwok--ThChM