London: Jasprit Bumrah, India’s most lethal weapon, was controversially rested for the second Test against England. The mantle of leading the attack fell on Mohammed Siraj, and he rose to the challenge superbly.
Siraj started Day 3 with a bang, dismissing Joe Root and Ollie Pope off successive deliveries in the second over, and then polished off the tail to return figures of 6/70. Akashdeep was equally impressive, bagging 4/88. England lost their last 5 wickets to the second new ball, for the addition of just 20 runs, as India bowled out England for 407 to earn a lead of 180 runs.
In between the double setback in the morning and the lower-half capitulation, England galloped merrily through an exhilarating sixth-wicket partnership between Harry Brook (158) and Jamie Smith (184 not out).
With England reduced to 84/5 in pursuit of India’s mammoth first-innings total of 587, the two right-handers launched a blistering counter-attack that was thrilling and classy in equal measure.
In just under 61 overs, Brook and Smith added 303 runs to not only rattle Shubman Gill’s side but also raise visions of yet another incredible English turnaround.
Akashdeep produced a beautiful inswinger with the new ball to go through Brook’s defence and break a dangerous partnership. Smith remained unbeaten on 184 – the highest score by an England wicketkeeper – as wickets fell like nine pins at the other end.
The England scoreboard had an interesting look, with six batters registering ducks (0) and two getting big hundreds. The third best score in the England innings was 22, by Root.
India extended their overall lead to 244 as they reached 64/1 at stumps on Friday.
With two days left in the game, India are in the driver’s seat. But England can never be ruled out of any contest, given the aggressive brand of cricket they have been playing over the last four-five years.
