On a day filled with mixed fortunes for India, Jasprit Bumrah stood out with a stellar five-wicket haul, while the team’s fielding woes continued to haunt them. Despite dropping five catches, Bumrah’s exceptional performance saw him finish with figures of 5 for 83 in England’s first innings.
KL Rahul showcased his class, scoring a polished 47, but England had already erased India’s initial advantage by posting 465 runs in their opening innings. After India set a first-innings target of 471, they ended the day at 90 for two, with Rahul batting on 47 off 75 balls and Shubman Gill at the crease on 6 off 10.
Brydon Carse struck early for England, finding Yashavi Jaiswal’s edge for a catch behind with a delivery that seamed away. Similarly, Ben Stokes dismissed debutant Sai Sudharsan for the second time in the match, with a catch taken by Zak Crawley at mid-wicket. Rahul’s batting was a highlight, with most of his seven boundaries being exquisite cover drives against the fast bowlers, demonstrating no signs of discomfort, even as conditions remained overcast.
The gloomy weather led to rain interrupting play, bringing stumps with India holding a 96-run advantage.
In an elongated afternoon session, Harry Brook fell just short of a century, dismissed for 99, while Bumrah’s five-wicket haul ensured India secured a slender six-run lead in the first innings. Chris Woakes contributed with a solid 38 runs off 55 balls, taking England within reach of India’s total before Bumrah wrapped up the innings by bowling Josh Tongue.
England showed aggressive intent in the afternoon, amassing 138 runs in just 23.4 overs despite losing five wickets. Prasidh Krishna took key wickets, removing Jamie Smith (40 off 52) and Brook, but he also struggled, conceding 128 runs in 20 overs with a somewhat predictable strategy.
Questions lingered over Shardul Thakur’s underutilization, as Bumrah’s performance continued to eclipse the rest, marking his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket with impressive figures of 5/83 over 24.4 overs.
Fielding has been India’s Achilles’ heel this match, as they let Brook off the hook not once but twice, including a miss at 82 by Jaiswal off Bumrah’s bowling. Unfortunately for Brook, he couldn’t capitalize on those reprieves and fell for 99 in the 88th over. Despite taking the new ball after 80 overs, India failed to make significant inroads.
Captain Shubman Gill’s decisions, such as introducing Ravindra Jadeja late in the session and bringing Bumrah back for a final push, sparked some debate among followers.
In the opening session, Brook seized the initiative against an inconsistent Indian pace attack, propelling England to a commendable 327 for five by lunchtime.
Resuming from an overnight score of 209 for three, Brook ensured that the scoreboard ticked over swiftly, amassing 118 runs in just 28 overs.
The visitors welcomed the crucial dismissals of overnight centurion Ollie Pope (106 off 137) and England’s captain Ben Stokes (20 off 52).
As seen on day two, the remaining Indian pacers struggled to match Bumrah’s precision.
Brook, who had been dismissed off a Bumrah no-ball just before stumps on day two, received a stroke of luck when wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant dropped a tough catch on 46 shortly before lunch. Jadeja, exploiting the rough surface to generate sharp turn, bowled one that turned dramatically, but Pant couldn’t hold onto the rising delivery.
In the same over, Brook notched his 12th Test fifty, adding to the mounting frustration for the Indian side, who had been notably careless with their catching throughout the match. Under the leadership of captain Shubman Gill, the Indians were vocal about their concerns regarding the deteriorating Dukes ball during the session.
The umpires eventually agreed to a request before the 75th over, with a new ball set to be available after 80 overs.
The session was clearly dominated by the highly-rated Brook, who exhibited a thrilling array of shots from the outset.
Krishna began the day by offering two loose deliveries, which Brook dispatched for a four through point and a six over mid-wicket.
Brook’s aggressive approach against the pacers, including Bumrah, was impressive as he frequently charged down the wicket to send aerial drives soaring over extra cover.
In Krishna’s next over, he was fortunate enough to get Pope out, as the England number three edged a short and wide delivery to the keeper.
