IND vs ENG 2nd Test : India in Strong Position, Gains Lead of 244 Runs; Siraj & Akash Deep Shatter England’s Hopes

Sports News: The third day's play of the second Test between India and England has concluded, with India in a commanding position. India has scored 64 runs for the loss of one wicket in their second innings, extending their overall lead to 244 runs. At stumps, KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 28, while Karun Nair was not out on 7 at the other end.

Brook and Smith Show Power for England, But India Holds the Upper Hand

The third day began disastrously for England as they lost key batsmen like Joe Root and Ben Stokes on two consecutive balls. With the score reading just 84/5, it seemed like the match was slipping away from them. However, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith resurrected England’s innings with a remarkable 303-run stand for the sixth wicket, turning the tide in their team’s favor.

Harry Brook played a superb knock of 158 runs, while Jamie Smith played an unbeaten innings of 184 runs, exhibiting a fearless and aggressive approach. Despite their efforts, England’s innings fell apart once Brook was dismissed. Akash Deep played a pivotal role by dismissing Brook and Chris Woakes in quick succession. After that, Mohammad Siraj was at his best, claiming 6 wickets, including the last three batsmen, who were all dismissed without scoring. England’s entire innings ended at 407 runs, leaving India with a lead of 180 runs.

India’s Solid Start in Second Innings

In their second innings, India made a strong start with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the crease. However, Jaiswal was dismissed for 28 runs by Josh Tongue. Karun Nair then joined Rahul at the crease and the pair continued to score steadily.

• At the end of the third day's play, India’s score stands at 64/1.
• With an overall lead of 244 runs, India is in a very strong position as they look to extend their advantage.

Match Summary:

Team                     1st Innings                     2nd Innings                Total
India                     587 All Out                     64/1* (Stumps)           Lead: 244 runs
England               407 All Out                        -                                  -

Day 3 Heroes

• Jamie Smith – 184 runs*, a stunning, aggressive knock
• Harry Brook – 158 runs, a match-changing innings
• Mohammad Siraj – 6 wickets, including a match-turning spell
• Akash Deep – 4 wickets, crucial breakthroughs

What’s Next?

India will look to capitalize on their strong position by scoring quickly on the fourth day. With a lead of 244 runs, they will aim to set a challenging target for England. On the other hand, England’s focus will be on taking quick wickets to keep their hopes alive in the match. If India can extend their lead to 400+ runs, it will become an extremely difficult task for England to chase in the fourth innings.