LONDON (AP) — India lost Lokesh Rahul off his first ball after getting to 100 but rebuilt through Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy to reach tea on 316-5 on Day 3 of the third test against England at Lord's on Saturday.
The tourists trailed by 71 runs but were in position to take a first-innings lead in a crucial match, with the five-test series level at 1-1.
Rahul reached his 10th test century with a quick single off Jofra Archer soon after the resumption following lunch. He removed his helmet, kissed it and acclaimed the crowd at the home of cricket — only, from his next ball the following over, to edge offspinner Shoaib Bashir to Harry Brook at slip.
Having seen Rishabh Pant run out by England captain Ben Stokes off the last ball before lunch, India was suddenly in some bother at 254-5 but Jadeja (40) and Reddy (25) steadied the innings with an unbeaten partnership of 62 runs.
Bashir has had to go off the field with a dislocated finger on his left hand, sustained off his own bowling when he stopped a fierce shot down the ground from Jadeja.
England was still searching for a breakthrough with the new ball, with Archer (1-45) and Stokes (1-50) bowling menacingly but without any wickets.
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The Associated Press
