India dominates Day 3 as Mohammed Siraj bags six wickets, England collapses for 407, and the visitors extend their lead to 244 by stumps in the second Test at Birmingham.
Today at Edgbaston, Mohammed Siraj delivered a match-defining performance with a fiery six-wicket haul, helping India bowl out England for 407 and secure a commanding first-innings lead of 180 runs. Supported by Akash Deep’s four crucial wickets, Siraj’s lethal spell dismantled England’s middle and lower order, despite valiant resistance from Jamie Smith and Harry Brook. At stumps on Day 3, India closed at 64/1, stretching their overall lead to 244 runs with KL Rahul and Karun Nair holding firm.
England began Day 3 at 77/3, trailing India’s 587 by a daunting 510 runs. Mohammed Siraj struck early, dismissing Joe Root (22) and England captain Ben Stokes (0) in the 22nd over to put India firmly in command. But the resistance came in the form of Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, who stitched together an epic 300-run stand that breathed life into England’s innings.
Brook, carrying confidence from his previous performance, reached his fifty in 73 balls and went on to notch a superb 158 off 240 deliveries, laced with 17 boundaries and a six. Smith, meanwhile, brought up his hundred just before lunch and ended unbeaten on 184 — a historic innings that now stands as the highest Test score by a wicketkeeper for England and the highest Test score by an English player batting at No. 7 or lower, surpassing Ranjitsinhji’s 175 from 1897.
The second session saw the duo continue their assault. Brook reached 150 with a single past point, and the 300-run partnership was completed in the 82nd over. However, Akash Deep provided the breakthrough, bowling Brook with a delivery that clipped the top of off-stump. The wicket broke England’s momentum, and Chris Woakes fell cheaply soon after.
Then came Siraj’s final burst — three wickets in two overs — that dismantled England’s tail. England folded for 407, still 180 behind India’s imposing first-innings total.
In response, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul launched a brisk start to India’s second innings. Jaiswal scored a quickfire 28 off 22 balls, including six crisp boundaries, before falling to Josh Tongue. Rahul remained unbeaten on 28 alongside Karun Nair (7*) as India ended Day 3 on 64/1, with a commanding 244-run lead.
Earlier, during the second session, Brook and Smith unleashed England’s version of “Bazball” in full flow. Smith showed remarkable intent with consecutive boundaries off Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep, bringing up his 150 with a single to deep backward point. Brook, meanwhile, mixed defense with audacious strokeplay, reverse sweeping with ease and taking on spin to reach 350 for England in just 74 overs.
India’s spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar struggled for impact, offering little turn or control as the ball aged. With no swing or reverse available, England capitalized to stage their comeback.
Still, fortune remained fickle. Brook survived multiple close shaves, while Smith was granted a reprieve by Rishabh Pant, who dropped a challenging chance behind the stumps. But despite the near-misses, England marched toward 400 before the collapse came swiftly.
India now heads into Day 4 with momentum, batting on a pitch that’s still holding up but beginning to show signs of wear — setting up a potential declaration scenario on Day 4 if the top order clicks.
Brief Score:
India 1st Innings: 587 (Shubman Gill 269, Ravindra Jadeja 89; Shoaib Bashir 3/167)
England 1st Innings: 407 (Jamie Smith 184*, Harry Brook 158; Mohammed Siraj 6/70, Akash Deep 4/95)
India 2nd Innings: 64/1 (KL Rahul 28*, Karun Nair 7*, Josh Tongue 1/12)