IND vs ENG 2nd Test Day 3: Siraj’s Six-Wicket Haul and Akash’s Four Scalps Put India in Command Despite Brook-Smith’s Epic 303-Run Stand
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| Photo credit _Stumpscast |
IND vs ENG 2nd Test, Day 3: India Tighten Grip as Siraj-Deep Rattle England, Rahul-Jaiswal Extend Lead
Visakhapatnam, July 5, 2025 – Day 3 of the second Test between India and England delivered a gripping spectacle as India’s pace duo of Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep tore through England’s lower order, paving the way for a commanding 244-run lead by stumps.
The turning point came when Deep ended a colossal 303-run partnership between Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, dismissing the former to trigger a dramatic collapse. By the close of play, India’s openers, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, had further solidified the hosts’ dominance with a rapid 50-run stand, though Jaiswal fell late in the day.
The day began with England resuming at a precarious position, still trailing India’s first-innings total of 587. However, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, who had already forged a formidable partnership, continued their resolute counterattack. Brook, resuming on 140(209), and Smith, on 157(169), frustrated the Indian bowlers through the morning session.
Despite Siraj striking early, removing Joe Root and another batter in quick succession, the Brook-Smith duo’s aggressive strokeplay kept England in the hunt, reducing the deficit to 232 by Tea.
Post-Tea, Brook reached a well-deserved 150, showcasing a blend of resilience and flair. His epic knock of 158 off 234 balls included a mix of elegant drives and calculated aggression, while Smith’s 157 off 169 balls was equally commanding. Their 303-run stand, spanning 368 balls, stood as a testament to England’s fighting spirit. However, the tide turned dramatically when India opted for the second new ball.
Akash Deep, with his relentless accuracy, struck the decisive blow, clean-bowling Brook to end the marathon partnership.
What followed was a classic England collapse. Siraj and Deep, reinvigorated by the new ball, ran riot through the lower order. Siraj’s fiery spell accounted for six wickets, his pace and movement proving too much for England’s tail.
Deep complemented him brilliantly, finishing with a four-wicket haul. England, who had looked poised to challenge India’s total, were bundled out for 407, conceding a substantial 180-run lead.
With momentum firmly in their favor, India’s openers took to the crease with intent. Yashasvi Jaiswal, in his characteristic flamboyant style, and KL Rahul put on a quickfire 50-run stand, punishing England’s weary bowlers. Jaiswal’s brisk cameo ended towards the close of play, but Rahul, unbeaten and composed, alongside Karun Nair, ensured India ended the day at 64/1, extending their lead to 244.
As Day 4 looms, India are firmly in the driver’s seat, with Rahul and Nair tasked with building on the platform laid on Day 3. For England, the challenge will be to regroup and find a way to claw back into the contest against a buoyant Indian side.
With Siraj and Deep firing on all cylinders and India’s batting showing no signs of slowing down, the hosts are poised to tighten their grip on this enthralling Test match.
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