India and England traded blows in a fiercely contested third day of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. Jasprit Bumrah delivered another five-wicket haul in overseas conditions, standing out as a lone warrior with the ball as England came close to wiping out India’s first-innings lead, falling just six runs short.
KL Rahul’s experience was called upon late in the day, as he weathered a fiery spell from the England bowlers during a cloudy final session. India reached 90 for 2 at stumps, with 20.5 overs lost to rain. They now have a slender 96-run lead, but will likely need to triple that, considering the pitch at the series opener still offers plenty for the batters. | Leeds Test Day 3 Highlights | Scorecard |
The opening match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy remains delicately poised, with two enthralling days left. Neither side was able to fully seize the advantage by the close of play, keeping the contest on a knife-edge.
Earlier, Harry Brook’s 99 and a gritty contribution from England’s tail helped the hosts post 465 in their first innings, effectively setting up a second-innings shootout. India could have sealed a bigger lead, but they were sloppy on the field, dropping as many as six catches in the first innings. It was the most India put down in an innings in Test cricket in five years.
“I think India will be disappointed, too. England have pulled things back and this game is now on an even keel,” Ravi Shastri reflected on the day’s play while talking to Sky Sports.
“This pitch is still good so England will fancy their chances of chasing and India know they have got to bat the day tomorrow (Monday). They have got to get past 300 and put England under pressure. Had they held their catches, they should have had a lead of 150-plus,” he added.
YOUNG INDIA NEED ANOTHER BIG BATTING SHOW
With two days remaining, England—who have made a habit of chasing down improbable targets in the Bazball era—will back themselves even if India set a steep fourth-innings total. The young Indian side, in the post-Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma era, impressed with a first-innings total of 471, but their resilience will be tested once more.
The contrast in both innings may yet prove decisive: India lost their final seven wickets for just 41 runs, while England’s lower order added 116 for their last four wickets, clawing their way back into the contest.
India began their second innings under pressure, their confidence dented by England’s late surge. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had dropped three catches earlier in the match, failed to rediscover the form that brought him a century in the first innings. He fell for just four, undone by a brilliant delivery from Brydon Carse in the fourth over.
There were nervy moments early on, especially as the skies darkened over Headingley. Sai Sudharsan, out for a duck in his debut innings, came in at No. 3 and showed far more composure. Playing the ball late and with soft hands, he did well to negotiate the new ball threat. He added a 66-run partnership with KL Rahul before falling to an inswinger from Ben Stokes shortly before the close of play.
KL Rahul stood tall for India, batting with authority and fluency to remain unbeaten on 47. Skipper Shubman Gill was at the crease with him at stumps, on 6 not out.
JASPRIT BUMRAH KEEPS SLOPPY INDIA AFLOAT
England began the day with momentum after Harry Brook received a no-ball reprieve late on Day 2. However, the hosts suffered an early blow when overnight batter Ollie Pope, having added just six runs to his century, fell to Prasidh Krishna in the morning session.
Captain Ben Stokes failed to convert his promising start, falling to Mohammed Siraj for 20. At 276 for 5, England looked vulnerable, but Brook and wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith launched a spirited counter-attack, unsettling the Indian bowlers.
Whenever Bumrah was not bowling, India struggled to contain the flow of runs. Smith, who looked composed at the crease, gifted his wicket when he attempted a pull shot just three balls before the second new ball was due. The short-ball strategy from Prasidh paid off as Smith departed for 40.
Brook, however, remained aggressive even after the second new ball was taken. The England ODI captain went on the offensive, dispatching Indian quicks to all parts of the ground. He was dropped on 83 by Yashasvi Jaiswal and seemed destined to score his maiden Test century against India. But on 99, Brook miscued another short ball from Prasidh and fell agonisingly short of the landmark.
India’s celebration was short-lived, as Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse launched a brutal assault. The pair added 55 runs in just 44 deliveries, capitalising on India’s erratic bowling with the second new ball. Both Siraj and Prasidh lost their lines and lengths during this period of carnage.
INDIA’S BOWLING IN FIRST INNINGS
BUMRAH – 5 for 83
OTHERS – 5 for 356
Siraj eventually dismissed Carse with a fuller-length delivery, providing some relief. However, it took another incisive spell from Bumrah to clean up the tail. The pacer ended with a five-wicket haul—his 12th in overseas Tests—drawing level with the legendary Kapil Dev at the top of India’s all-time list.
Bumrah will be needed to produce another breathtaking effort in the final innings if India are to walk away with a 1-0 lead from Headingley.
Tune In
