NEW DELHI: Despite a valiant effort from Jasprit Bumrah and a fluent start by KL Rahul, India endured another patchy day in the field as England posted 465 in their first innings to nearly wipe out India’s advantage on Day 3 of the first Test at Headingley on Sunday.India ended the day at 90/2, leading by 96 runs, with KL Rahul (47)* and Shubman Gill (6)* unbeaten at stumps.DROPPED CATCHES HURT INDIAIndia were let down by poor fielding once again, dropping five catches in the innings. The most glaring was when Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped Harry Brook for the third time in the match — on 82 — off Bumrah’s bowling.Earlier, Brook was dropped by Rishabh Pant on 46, and also survived after being bowled off a Bumrah no-ball on Day 2. He eventually fell for 99, pulling a short ball from Prasidh Krishna to Shardul Thakur at fine leg.BROOK LEADS ENGLAND’S COUNTERATTACKResuming at 209/3, England rode on Harry Brook’s aggressive 99 and Chris Woakes’ quickfire 38 to erase India’s lead. Brook was the standout with fearless strokeplay, launching even Bumrah for sixes over extra cover.England scored 138 runs in 23.4 overs in the extended afternoon session, regularly finding boundaries off an inconsistent Indian pace attack.BUMRAH’S BRILLIANCE Jasprit Bumrah was once again India’s saving grace. He claimed 5/83 in 24.4 overs, his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests and 10th in SENA countries, a milestone unmatched by any other Indian pacer.His spell ended England’s innings at 465, giving India a slender six-run first-innings lead.While Bumrah shone, the rest of India’s pace unit struggled. Prasidh Krishna picked up two wickets, including Brook and Jamie Smith, but conceded 128 runs in 20 overs, lacking variation and control.Shardul Thakur was barely used, and Ravindra Jadeja was curiously brought in late, despite extracting turn.KL RAHUL IMPRESSESChasing quick runs before stumps, India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal (4) early to Brydon Carse, and Sai Sudharsan (30) again fell to Ben Stokes, who dismissed him twice in the match.
But KL Rahul looked composed and elegant, striking seven boundaries, most through classic drives, as he remained unbeaten on 47 before rain stopped play.Throughout the innings, Indian players were visibly unhappy with the condition of the worn-out Dukes ball, and frequently appealed to the umpires for a change. After repeated refusals, the ball was eventually changed in the 75th over, just before the second new ball became available.India will hope for a solid batting effort on Day 4 to set up the match, while England will look to capitalise on any slip-ups. With conditions still favouring seam movement, the match is finely balanced heading into a potentially pivotal fourth day.
