Headingley, July 5: India staged a strong comeback on Day 3 of the ongoing Test match, as pacers Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep dismantled England’s batting line-up in the final session, helping India take a firm grip on the game.
After a wicketless second session, Indian bowlers returned with renewed energy and strategy in the last session. The breakthrough came from Akash Deep, who dismissed Jamie Smith, breaking a crucial partnership with Harry Brook that had steadied England’s innings.
What followed was a clinical bowling performance by Mohammed Siraj, who ran through the lower middle order and tail. Siraj finished with impressive figures, taking 6 wickets, while Akash Deep accounted for 4 wickets. England, who at one stage looked steady, collapsed to 407 all out, handing India a commanding 180-run lead.
The collapse highlighted India’s relentless bowling pressure and tactical discipline. Siraj’s consistent lines and reverse swing proved too much for the English batters, while Akash Deep’s control and variations kept the pressure on from the other end.
India, in response, began their second innings with a lead already in hand. Though they lost one early wicket, the pair of KL Rahul and Karun Nair steadied the innings. At stumps, India reached 64/1 in 13 overs, extending their overall lead to 244 runs.
KL Rahul looked confident, playing with soft hands and rotating the strike, while Karun Nair provided solid support. With two experienced batters at the crease and three full days remaining, India appears to be in a strong position to build an unassailable lead.
Going into Day 4, the hosts will aim to bat long, stretch their lead beyond 400, and put England under scoreboard pressure in the final innings. The match is now firmly in India’s control, thanks to a spirited bowling effort that turned the tide in a single session.