The match swung in India's favour on Day Three of the second Test between India and England, with England regretting their missteps with both bat and ball. However, what happened in between was nothing short of thrilling. Except for Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, no one could stand up to Siraj and Akash Deep.

Siraj Strikes Early, Wrecks Top Order

The day started with Mohammed Siraj making a powerful statement. In just the second over, he dismissed both Joe Root and Ben Stokes with back-to-back deliveries. Root edged one down the leg side to Rishabh Pant, while Stokes received a brutal short ball that leapt at his gloves and resulted in a golden duck—his first in Test cricket.

Siraj later returned to end the innings with three more wickets, finishing with 6 for 70, his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests and his first on English soil. His efforts gave India a 180-run first-innings lead.

Smith and Brook Launch Spectacular Counterattack

England looked down and out at 84 for 5, but Jamie Smith and Harry Brook pulled them back into the game with a brilliant 303-run stand for the sixth wicket, the second-highest in England’s history for that position.

Smith was in blistering form. He raced to his century off just 80 balls—the joint-third fastest for England in Tests—and eventually finished unbeaten on 184, the highest score by an English wicketkeeper in Tests, breaking Alec Stewart’s 173 from 1997.

His assault began with boundaries off Siraj’s hat-trick ball and took off when Prasidh Krishna was brought in. Smith punished short-pitched bowling with four fours and a six in one over worth 23 runs. He followed it up with another six off the first ball of the next over.

Smith’s fifty came in 43 balls, and his hundred arrived just before lunch. “The century within the session came with three deliveries to go, as Smith lifted Jadeja down the ground and then smeared a 17th boundary through midwicket...”

Brook’s Class Complements Smith’s Fury

Harry Brook played a more measured role initially but found his rhythm as the partnership progressed. He reached his ninth Test century shortly after lunch with a delicate guide through the slips. This was his first ton against India, and his second at home, having fallen for 99 earlier in the series at Headingley.

The pair slowed slightly after the initial assault. Moving from 200 to 250 runs in their partnership took 101 balls, compared to 192 for the first 200. India’s bowlers, including Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, tightened their lines to reduce scoring.

Even so, Brook and Smith ended the second session strongly, reverse-sweeping and driving fluently, showing they could switch gears when needed.

India's New Ball Saves the Day

With England trailing by just 64, India took the second new ball five overs into the final session. It changed everything.

Akash Deep broke the partnership by bowling Brook, who had been struggling with cramps and required medical attention and a banana just minutes earlier. After Brook's departure, Smith tried to regain momentum, hitting Deep for two boundaries.

However, Siraj returned and quickly wrapped up the tail. He dismissed Josh Tongue lbw, delivered a bouncer that rattled Shoaib Bashir, and then bowled the No.11, who shouldered arms to a ball that jagged back.

Siraj’s spell ended England’s innings and Smith’s sensational effort, as the crowd gave the 24-year-old a standing ovation.

India Extend Their Lead with Confidence

In response, India moved rapidly to 64 for 1 by stumps, extending their overall lead to 244 runs. KL Rahul (28*) and Yashasvi Jaiswal gave India a positive start before Jaiswal was trapped lbw by Josh Tongue for 28.

There was a moment of controversy around the review. Jaiswal called for it seemingly after the 15-second timer had expired. Though England captain Ben Stokes protested, the review was accepted. However, it revealed three red indicators, confirming Jaiswal’s dismissal and costing India a review.

Brief Scorecard