Rahul, Pant shine as India extend lead over England to 357

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BIRMINGHAM, England - KL Rahul scored a half-century before Rishabh Pant literally threw his bat at everything as India moved on to 177-3 to stretch their commanding lead to 357 runs over England at lunch on day four of the second test at Edgbaston on Saturday.

The Indian wicketkeeper-batter walked in at 126-3 and immediately entertained the crowd, smashing sixes and boundaries before providing the days most memorable moment when he lost his grip on his bat.

He sent his willow flying to square leg where it landed safely, much to the amusement of the Edgbaston crowd, but not the England bowlers who had a productive first hour before their momentum was halted.

Pant was unbeaten on 41 alongside skipper Shubman Gill (24 not out) at the interval, their quickfire partnership of 51 runs coming off 53 balls.

Resuming on their overnight 64-1, the morning session in overcast conditions with the floodlights on began with both Karun Nair and Rahul surviving early scares when thick edges flew through gaps in the slip cordon.

But Brydon Carses persistence paid off when he tempted Nair into a drive and wicketkeeper Jamie Smiths eyes lit up when he took the catch to dismiss the Indian batter for 26.

Rahul remained patient and he continued to find gaps on the offside as he brought up his 18th test fifty, but Josh Tongue struck with a ball that seamed off the pitch to go past the Indian batters defence and hit the stumps.

Tongues delight was short-lived, however, as Pant walked in and unsettled the fast bowler with a boundary before he danced down the track to smash it over his head for