Pant's run-out tilts scales in hosts' favour at lunch

Rishabh Pant fell for 74 while KL Rahul was dismissed soon after his ton as India remained in pursuit of England's 387

- Agencies

Rishabh Pant overcame pain in his left index finger to score an entertaining half-century before getting run out at the stroke of lunch, leaving India at 248 for four on day three of the second Test against England here on Saturday.

With KL Rahul (98 not out, 171 balls) closing in on his 10th Test hundred and second at Lord’s, Pant (74 off 112) attempted an avoidable quick single in the last over of the session but Ben Stokes pulled off a brilliant direct hit running in from cover to give his team something in a session controlled by the opposition.

The partnership between Rahul and Pant yielded 141 runs off 198 balls.Pant, batting through pain due to the finger injury he suffered while keeping on day one, made his intentions clear even against the express pace of Jofra Archer.

Archer gave Pant freebie on the leg-side to start the day's proceedings before the southpaw stepped out of the crease for a slash on the offside. Barring those two fours, Pant and Rahul chose to be watchful for the first 30 minutes, collecting just 14 runs in seven overs.