Harry Brook's near-century defined Day 3 of the first Test between England and India at Headingley, Leeds. The Yorkshire batter was dismissed for 99, agonizingly short of a century in his home ground, as England were bowled out for 465, trailing India by a mere six runs.
Brook's innings was a blend of resilience and aggression. Having survived a dismissal off a no-ball from Jasprit Bumrah and a couple of dropped chances, he played with authority, taking on India's premier bowler. His knock included 11 boundaries and two sixes, demonstrating his intent to score quickly and put pressure back on the Indian bowlers.
Brook formed crucial partnerships with Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes, adding 73 and 49 runs respectively. These partnerships helped England recover from a shaky start and inch closer to India's first-innings total of 471. His contribution was vital in England's fightback, as they managed to add 118 runs in the first session of Day 3.
Former England cricketer Nick Knight praised Brook's approach, highlighting his confident response to Bumrah's early challenge. Knight noted that Brook's innings showcased a more refined version of his aggressive style, blending it with game awareness and maturity.
Despite missing out on a century, Brook's innings earned plaudits for its impact on the match. His aggressive approach unsettled the Indian bowlers, and his partnerships helped England gain a firm footing in the Test. While he will be disappointed not to have reached three figures, his contribution has put England in a competitive position.
Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, finishing with figures of 5/83. However, he was let down by dropped catches and a no-ball that reprieved Brook early in his innings. Prasidh Krishna took three wickets, including the crucial one of Brook, but the Indian bowlers lacked consistency, allowing England to score freely at times.
The Test match is delicately poised, with India holding a slender lead of six runs. The match could swing in either direction, and the remaining two days promise to be enthralling.
