England seized control on Day 3 of the ongoing IND vs ENG 4th Test match at Old Trafford after a commanding batting performance powered them to 544/7 at stumps in reply to India’s first-innings total of 358. The home side now leads by 186 runs, heading into Day 4 with captain Ben Stokes unbeaten on 77 and Liam Dawson on 21.
For the first time since 2021, India allowed a total of over 500 in a Test innings. The Indian players walk off the field visibly drained, with England possibly having batted them out of not just the match – but perhaps the entire series.
India’s pace unit failed to make any real impact. Jasprit Bumrah could only pick up a solitary wicket, while debutant Anshul Kambij also managed just one. Mohammed Siraj looked fatigued and contributed with a lone dismissal. The spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were relatively more effective, claiming two wickets apiece.
Joe Root’s masterclass
The highlight of the day was Joe Root’s masterclass as the former skipper notched up a brilliant 150 before being dismissed.
Root’s innings not only guided England past India’s total but also saw him break several long-standing records. He became the fastest English batter to reach 12,000 Test runs, and also surpassed Alastair Cook’s record for most 150+ scores by an Englishman in Tests.
Root is now also the second highest run-getter in Test cricket history.
He displayed his trademark poise and patience throughout the knock, combining elegance with control. His partnerships, especially the one with Ben Stokes, wore down the Indian attack, which struggled to find answers on a slow surface.
Stokes, batting with discipline, inched towards his century with a composed 74* at stumps. The England captain absorbed the pressure and rotated the strike smartly to keep the scoreboard ticking. Liam Dawson, batting on 19, provided good support in the final session.
