Leeds, June 22 (UNI) Harry Brook’s enterprising 99 and key contributions from England’s lower order wiped out India’s hard-earned advantage on the third day of the first Test at Headingley, despite a five-wicket haul by Jasprit Bumrah.
Resuming at 327/5, England rode on a brisk 91-ball 99 from Brook and solid partnerships down the order to post 465 in reply to India’s 471. The last six English wickets added a crucial 240 runs – a stark contrast to India’s 41 from their final six – to help the hosts narrow the deficit to just six runs.
Bumrah finished with 5/83, his 14th Test five-fer, but England’s depth meant the effort did not give India the control they would have hoped for.
In response, India began their second innings in overcast and blustery conditions, and lost opener Yashasvi Jaiswal early. However, K L Rahul (47* off 78) and debutant Sai Sudharsan (32) stitched together a stabilising 66-run stand to take India to 90/2 at stumps, with a 96-run lead.
Earlier in the day, Brook continued from where he left off, punishing Indian bowlers for lapses in discipline and fielding. He added 55 with skipper Ben Stokes (35) and 56 with Jamie Smith (27) as England counterattacked effectively. India's fielding woes also resurfaced – Rishabh Pant dropped Brook, and Sudharsan couldn’t hold a tough chance at short-leg to dismiss Smith.
Post-lunch, Brook found another ally in Woakes (34), and together they added 49 runs at a rapid pace. Brook surged into the 90s with a six and a four off Siraj but fell agonisingly short of his century, top-edging a pull off Prasidh Krishna to the deep. Woakes and Brydon Carse added another 55 runs to frustrate India further before Bumrah cleaned up the tail with two successive bowled dismissals.
India’s second innings saw a nervy start under light drizzle, with Jaiswal falling early to Carse. Rahul looked composed, mixing defence with crisp drives, while Sudharsan showed resilience after a pair in the first innings. The duo negotiated probing spells from Woakes, Tongue and Stokes, before Sudharsan (32) fell late in the session to a flick that found short midwicket. Shubman Gill hit a boundary to get going and stayed unbeaten alongside Rahul when rain forced early stumps.
India will look to extend their lead on Day 4, knowing that a strong batting effort is needed to put pressure back on England after the hosts’ impressive fightback.
Brief scores:
India: 471 & 90/2 (KL Rahul 47*; Ben Stokes 1/18)
England: 465 (Ollie Pope 106, Harry Brook 99, Ben Duckett 62; Jasprit Bumrah 5/83, Prasidh Krishna 3/128)
India lead by 96 runs.
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