Headingley – A gripping Test match at Headingley is finely poised after Harry Brook’s aggressive 99 and Jasprit Bumrah’s scintillating five-wicket haul brought the game to a thrilling crossroads heading into the final two days.
Brook’s Near Century and Bumrah’s Brilliance Leave Headingley Test on a Knife Edge
India closed the third day on 90 for 2, leading England by 96 runs after earlier taking a slender six-run first-innings lead. KL Rahul’s composed 47 not out ensured the visitors maintained the upper hand despite late resistance from England’s lower order.
The day’s drama centered on local hero Harry Brook, who was dismissed one short of a century at his home ground. Brook began the morning with aggressive intent, lofting Prasidh Krishna and Jasprit Bumrah to the boundary early on. He showcased his trademark flair with bold strokeplay, including a towering six over midwicket and crisp drives through cover.
Brook was granted multiple lives—reprieved by a Bumrah no-ball on zero and dropped twice—but made full use of his fortune. Eventually, he succumbed to a short-ball ploy, pulling Prasidh straight to long leg, drawing a gasp from the Headingley crowd. His 99 turned out to be pivotal in helping England post 465, just shy of India’s 471.
England had only Ollie Pope to reach three figures officially with his 106, while Brook’s 99 stood alongside Ben Duckett’s 62 as a key contribution. Their lower order surged as Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, and Josh Tongue added 189 for the last five wickets, in contrast to India’s collapse of 5 for 24 the previous day.
Jasprit Bumrah, however, delivered another masterclass with the ball. His 5 for 83 included the vital scalps of Woakes and Tongue, sealing his third five-wicket haul in England. His pace and accuracy were unmatched throughout the innings.
India’s second innings began under grey skies, with the Headingley crowd in full voice. Carse provided an early breakthrough, removing Yashasvi Jaiswal with a steep rising ball. But Rahul settled in calmly, finding the boundary twice off Carse and capitalising on errors from offspinner Shoaib Bashir.
Sai Sudharsan, out for a duck in the first innings, began confidently with a boundary first ball and built a steady stand with Rahul. However, he once again fell to Ben Stokes, chipping an inswinger to short midwicket.
Rain arrived late in the day, halting proceedings three overs after Sudharsan’s dismissal and ensuring an anticlimactic end to a pulsating session. Yet, the stage is now set for a dramatic finish, with both sides eyeing victory in what could become another classic at Headingley.
Key Score Summary:
- India 471 & 90/2 (Rahul 47)*
- England 465 (Pope 106, Brook 99, Bumrah 5-83)
- India lead by 96 runs