Day 3 of the 4th Test between India and England at Old Trafford saw a stunning shift in momentum as Joe Root’s imperious 150 lifted the hosts firmly into the driver’s seat. At stumps, England stood tall at 544/7, boasting a massive 186-run lead over India’s first-innings score of 358, leaving the visitors with a monumental task going forward.
Root’s Record-Breaking Brilliance
Joe Root, the anchor of England’s innings, was unstoppable throughout the day. Bringing up his 150 in the third session, Root not only neutralized India’s bowling attack but also leapfrogged legendary Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history, only behind Sachin Tendulkar. His measured aggression and composure at the crease frustrated the Indian bowlers, who looked listless for much of the day.
England’s Batting Onslaught
The day started with England in a strong position, but the best was yet to come. Ollie Pope contributed a vital 71, partnering with Root for a game-changing 144-run stand for the third wicket. Ben Stokes, overcoming cramps, returned to the field to give solid support with an unbeaten 77*, ensuring England’s dominance until stumps.
Earlier, England’s openers Ben Duckett (94) and Zak Crawley (84) had already blunted the new ball and set the tone for a formidable total, building on Rishabh Pant’s first-innings heroics for India despite his injury.
Indian Bowling Woes
India’s attack struggled to make early inroads, managing wickets only through their spinners in the middle sessions. Washington Sundar (2/57) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/117) were marginally effective, but Jasprit Bumrah (1/95) and Mohammed Siraj (1/113) looked fatigued and were hampered by minor injuries. With wickets falling late in clusters, England’s commanding partnerships had already inflicted the damage.
Key Moments
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Root’s 150 and career milestone: Moved to second in all-time Test run-scorers.
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Stokes’ resilience: Overcame injury to remain unbeaten and steer the tail.
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India’s missed chances: Poor execution and inconsistent bowling lines allowed England to seize momentum, with breakthroughs arriving too little, too late.
What Lies Ahead?
With England boasting a 186-run lead and two set batsmen at the crease, India face an uphill battle. Their top priority will be to wrap up the England innings quickly and then bat out of their skins to avoid defeat. England, meanwhile, will look to press home their advantage and clinch the series.
Stay tuned for Day 4 updates as the contest heads for a thrilling finish!
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How did England take control of the match on Day 3
England took control of the match on Day 3 through a combination of exceptional batting and exploiting India’s weaknesses with the ball. Here are the key factors:
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Joe Root’s Dominance: Root played a masterful innings, scoring a career-defining 150. His measured aggression and ability to find gaps consistently wore down the Indian bowling attack. By anchoring the innings and building crucial partnerships, Root not only stabilized England after a strong start but also pushed India firmly onto the back foot.
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Strong Partnerships: England’s middle order produced several significant stands, particularly the 144-run partnership between Joe Root and Ollie Pope (71). These partnerships blunted any momentum the Indian bowlers tried to generate and ensured England kept building their lead steadily.
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Aggressive Openers and Lower Order Support: The openers, Ben Duckett (94) and Zak Crawley (84), had already set a strong tone on Day 2 and carried their form into Day 3, ensuring there were no early collapses. Ben Stokes’ unbeaten 77* further solidified England’s position late in the day.
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India’s Ineffective Bowling: Indian bowlers struggled with accuracy and penetration. Spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar picked up wickets but couldn’t apply sustained pressure, while pace bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj appeared fatigued and were hampered by minor injuries. Missed opportunities and lapses in the field compounded their woes.
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Milestone Moments: Alongside his 150, Root surpassed Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history, providing extra motivation for England and deflating Indian spirits.
By stumps, England’s commanding total of 544/7 and a lead of 186 runs put them in a dominating position, leaving India with a huge challenge for the remainder of the match. This authoritative batting display and India’s inability to capitalize on key moments allowed England to seize control on Day 3.
Why did India struggle to restrict England’s batting on Day 3
India struggled to restrict England’s batting on Day 3 due to a combination of factors:
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Ineffective Bowling: India’s frontline bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, appeared fatigued and were unable to generate the necessary pace or movement to trouble England’s batters consistently. Both were also reported to have minor injuries that further hampered their effectiveness. The spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, managed to pick up a couple of wickets but couldn’t apply sustained pressure or control the scoring rate for long stretches.
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Lack of Penetration: The bowlers struggled to find the right lengths and lines, which allowed England’s batters to rotate the strike easily and build big partnerships. Root and Pope in particular played with composure, blunting the attack and making the most of loose deliveries.
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England’s Strong Batting: Joe Root was in outstanding form, compiling a commanding 150 that anchored the innings. The partnership between Root and Ollie Pope, as well as useful contributions from Ben Stokes, ensured England never lost momentum. The openers, Duckett and Crawley, had already put England in a solid position, and the middle order capitalized on this foundation.
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Missed Opportunities and Fielding Lapses: India let chances slip by in the field, with missed opportunities—such as dropped catches or misfields—allowing England to escape at critical moments and further build their lead.
All these factors combined to create a scenario where India simply couldn’t build pressure or take wickets in clusters, allowing England to finish Day 3 with a massive total and a commanding lead.
What can India do differently to regain momentum in the match
Steps India Can Take to Regain Momentum
India faces a challenging road but can still fight back by making strategic shifts in approach on both bowling and batting fronts:
1. Wrap Up the England Innings Quickly
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Take Early Wickets: The immediate priority should be to dismiss the remaining English batsmen as soon as play resumes. Utilizing fresh bowlers early in the morning session, focusing on tight line and length, and setting attacking fields can help induce mistakes.
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Use Aggressive Field Placements: Placing fielders in catching positions, especially for the tailenders, increases chances of quick wickets and restricts easy runs.
2. Refine Bowling Plans
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Target Weaknesses: Study and exploit weaknesses of England’s lower-order batsmen with specific plans—a mix of pace, spin, and variation.
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Rotate Bowlers: Ensure bowlers do not tire quickly. Rotate bowlers efficiently to keep pressure sustained.
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Increase Intensity in the Field: Reduce lapses and maintain high energy, as even half-chances could shift the day’s momentum.
3. Batting Strategy for the Second Innings
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Solid and Cautious Start: Openers must lay a strong foundation by avoiding early wickets. Batting patiently in the first 10–20 overs will blunt the new ball threat.
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Focus on Partnerships: Middle-order batsmen should aim for significant partnerships. This will ease pressure and allow for a measured run chase.
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Rotate Strike and Minimize Dot Balls: Proactive running between the wickets keeps the scoreboard moving and prevents England’s bowlers from settling.
4. Mental Toughness and Adaptability
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Positive Mindset: The team needs to stay optimistic—even after setbacks. Every partnership and saved run can turn the tide.
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Learn from Day 3: Reflect on bowling lengths, field settings, and missed chances to ensure a disciplined performance.
5. Tactical Changes
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Use Reviews Wisely: Smart use of DRS to overturn umpiring errors could make a difference.
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Manage Over Rates and Time: Avoid unnecessary delays that might lead to hasty sessions later, especially when batting to save or win the match.
Executing these steps with discipline and intent can help India put England under pressure, steadily regain momentum, and give themselves a chance to save or even turn the match around.
