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KL Rahul Anchors India’s Second Innings After England Fights Back in Leeds Test
India Extend Lead Despite England’s Lower-Order Fightback
India ended Day 3 of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, with a slender lead of 96 runs, thanks to a steady unbeaten 47 from KL Rahul. The visitors reached 90/2 in their second innings, recovering from an early setback after England staged a strong lower-order comeback to post 465 in reply to India’s first-innings score of 471.
England’s fightback was spearheaded by Harry Brook, who missed out on a well-deserved century by just one run, and significant support from Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes, and Brydon Carse. Their late-order partnerships ensured that India’s early advantage was neutralized, putting the match on even terms.
Harry Brook’s 99 Leads England’s Lower-Order Surge
England Add 240 Runs for the Last Six Wickets
India began the day looking to wrap up England’s innings early, but Harry Brook’s fluent 99 and valuable contributions from the lower order turned the game around. Brook forged crucial partnerships with Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith, helping England add 240 runs from the last six wickets, in contrast to India’s 41 from the same position.
Brook reached his fifty with classy strokeplay, mixing caution with aggression. Despite being dropped once by Rishabh Pant and given another life by Sai Sudharsan, Brook punished the bowlers, including a six and four off Mohammed Siraj to move into the 90s. Unfortunately, his brilliant knock ended at 99, caught in the deep off Prasidh Krishna, trying to pull a short ball.
The momentum, however, didn’t halt as Woakes (49) and Carse added a frustrating 55-run stand. Woakes took on the bowlers, hitting two sixes in an over off Prasidh, as England brought down the deficit to just six runs before Bumrah wrapped up the tail.
🔗 For a summary of India’s first innings performance, read this article on BCCI.tv
Rahul Holds Firm as India Aim to Consolidate
Rahul and Sudharsan Stitch Crucial 66-Run Stand
Challenging weather conditions greeted Indian openers in the second innings with drizzle and overcast skies testing their resolve. After Yashasvi Jaiswal fell early to Brydon Carse, KL Rahul took charge. He showcased supreme control, driving crisply through the off-side and punishing wayward bowling.
Sai Sudharsan, under pressure after a duck in the first innings, got off the mark with a four and looked solid in a 66-run stand with Rahul. The duo played with soft hands, rotated the strike, and struck boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking. Sudharsan survived a tough chance when Ben Duckett dropped him at backward point.
However, just after crossing the 50-run partnership mark, Sudharsan was dismissed by Ben Stokes, caught at short midwicket while trying a flick. Shubman Gill joined Rahul and immediately made an impact with a boundary over third man, and the two remained unbeaten when rain brought an early end to the day’s play.
Fielding Woes Continue to Haunt India
While India’s bowling was penetrative in phases, their fielding lapses proved costly. Rishabh Pant dropped Brook behind the stumps, and Sudharsan couldn’t cling to a tough chance at short leg. Later, Jaiswal’s drop at gully denied Bumrah a wicket when Brook was on 80.
Ravindra Jadeja, who bowled with discipline and extracted turn, lacked support from fielders. These missed opportunities allowed England to continue building partnerships and take control of the morning session.
Bumrah’s Brilliance Shines Amid Frustrations
Jasprit Bumrah once again proved why he’s India’s ace in Test cricket. He wrapped up England’s innings by clean bowling Woakes and Josh Tongue, completing a well-deserved five-wicket haul (5/83) — his 14th in Tests. Despite his efforts, India couldn’t establish a sizeable first-innings lead, making Rahul’s knock even more vital heading into Day 4.
India now holds a 96-run lead with Rahul and Gill at the crease. With the pitch still offering something for the bowlers, building a lead of 250+ could prove decisive for the visitors.
🔗 For an in-depth profile on Harry Brook, check out his ESPNcricinfo profile
