India vs England 1st Test: Bumrah Stars, Brook Misses Ton as Day 3 Ends with India Holding Slim Lead

A classic Test match unfolded at Headingley as Day 3 of the opening Test between India and England concluded with both sides locked in a tense battle. After a gripping exchange of dominance over three days, India heads into Day 4 with a narrow lead of 96 runs and eight wickets in hand.

The day began with England resuming their first innings at 209/3 in response to India’s formidable 471. With Ollie Pope unbeaten on 112 and Harry Brook at the crease, England looked set for a strong reply. Pope, however, failed to add much to his overnight tally and was dismissed early for 124 by a sharp in-swinger from Jasprit Bumrah.

But Harry Brook kept the home side afloat with a commanding display, crafting a brilliant 99 before falling agonizingly short of a century. In an effort to push the scoring rate, Brook edged a delivery from Mohammed Siraj to the slips, ending what could have been a defining innings. The young Yorkshireman’s dismissal left the crowd stunned and denied him a second Test hundred.

Despite the setback, England’s lower-order resilience proved critical. Chris Woakes (33) and Brydon Carse (28) added crucial runs to inch England closer to India’s total. Their efforts, combined with Brook’s near-century, helped England post 465 – just six runs shy of India’s first-innings total.

The bowling honors for India once again belonged to Jasprit Bumrah, who was outstanding throughout the innings. His mastery with the old ball earned him a well-deserved five-wicket haul (5/83), showcasing his skill and control on a wicket that offered little assistance to fast bowlers.

With a slender lead of 6 runs, India came out to bat again in the second innings. The English pacers, emboldened by the crowd and momentum, made early inroads. Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed cheaply for 14 by Mark Wood, while Shubman Gill, who had scored a superb 147 in the first innings, was caught behind for 22.

However, KL Rahul once again showed his class and composure. The experienced right-hander weathered a hostile spell and closed the day unbeaten on 47. Alongside him, vice-captain Rishabh Pant was not out on 7, having just settled in when bad light and rain forced an early stumps.

India finished the day at 90/2, extending their lead to 96 runs. While the tourists will be happy with the lead and the calm presence of Rahul at the crease, England will draw confidence from their performance in the field and the overcast weather forecast for Day 4.

The match has been a rollercoaster of moments—Shubman Gill’s ton, Pope’s counter-attack, Brook’s heartbreak, and Bumrah’s brilliance. Fielding errors also played a significant part; England dropped as many as five catches across the innings, with Brook being reprieved twice before he was finally dismissed.

Weather may yet have a role to play. Rain curtailed Day 3 with several overs lost, and forecasts for Day 4 suggest more showers could interrupt proceedings. This sets up an intriguing battle, where time, patience, and small margins could determine the eventual outcome.

As things stand, India holds a slight edge. But in this see-saw Test match, England, fueled by their fightback and home advantage, cannot be counted out. With two full days remaining, barring weather interruptions, a result is very much on the cards.

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