Day 3 of the first Test between England and India at Headingley has concluded with the match delicately poised, after momentum swung back in favor of the hosts. India, after a dominant Day 1, saw their first innings advantage eroded as England fought back, eventually getting bowled out for 465, trailing India by a mere 6 runs. India ended the day at 90/2, leading by 96 runs, with KL Rahul looking solid at the crease.
England's fightback was anchored by Ollie Pope's century on Day 2 and continued on Day 3 with valuable contributions from the lower middle order. Harry Brook, however, was the standout performer, although his innings ended in heartbreak as he was dismissed for 99, becoming the first batter since 2022 to be dismissed on 99. Brook capitalized on multiple reprieves, having been dropped on 46 and 82, making India pay for their lapses in the field. Chris Woakes also contributed a valuable 38, further frustrating the Indian bowlers.
Jasprit Bumrah was once again the pick of the Indian bowlers, showcasing his world-class skills to claim his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests, finishing with 5/83. However, the other Indian bowlers struggled to maintain consistency, with Prasidh Krishna proving expensive, taking 2 wickets for 128 runs in his 20 overs. India's fielding was also below par, with dropped catches and missed opportunities allowing England to ease the pressure and accumulate runs.
India's second innings started shakily, with Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed early by Carse. Sai Sudharsan, making his debut, showed promise before falling to Ben Stokes for 30, after a 66-run partnership with KL Rahul. Rahul, however, looked in sublime touch, stroking his way to an unbeaten 47 off 75 balls, with some trademark cover drives. He and Shubman Gill (6*) saw India through to the close of play, extending the lead to 96 runs.
The day was marked by several momentum shifts. India's batting collapse in the first innings, where they lost 7 wickets for just 41 runs after being 430/3, was a significant setback. England's fightback, aided by dropped catches and inconsistent bowling from India, allowed them to get back into the game. Rain and bad light also played a part, forcing an early end to the day's play.
Nasser Hussain, the former England captain, believes India will be disappointed with their overall performance on Day 3. He pointed to their batting collapse and poor fielding as key factors that allowed England to get back into the match. Despite Bumrah's brilliance, the lack of support from the other bowlers and the missed opportunities in the field meant that India failed to capitalize on their strong start.
As play heads into Day 4, the match hangs in the balance. India will be looking to Rahul and Gill to build a substantial lead, while England will be aiming to quickly dismiss them and put pressure on the Indian batting lineup. The weather could also play a crucial role, with rain potentially affecting the amount of play possible. Both teams will need to seize the key moments and execute their plans effectively if they are to gain the upper hand in this closely contested Test match.
