England vs India 2nd Test Day 3: Match Report as Siraj’s Six-Fer Powers India Ahead After Brook-Smith Heroics

The third day of the England vs India 2nd Test at Edgbaston was a gripping spectacle filled with drama, dominance, and a late resurgence. While a record-breaking partnership between Harry Brook and Jamie Smith gave England a fighting chance, it was Mohammad Siraj‘s sensational six-wicket haul that allowed India to reclaim momentum late in the day.

At stumps, India had raced to 64/1 in 13 overs, extending their overall lead to 244 runs. However, with weather concerns looming large over the final two days, the visitors must act decisively to level the series.

Siraj’s Early Strikes Rattle England

Resuming at 72/3, England’s shaky position in the England vs India contest was immediately worsened by Siraj’s fierce burst in just the second over of the morning. Joe Root, attempting a flick, feathered one to Rishabh Pant down the leg side. The very next delivery was a brutish short ball to Ben Stokes, which leapt off the surface and clipped the glove en route to the keeper.

From 72/3 to 84/5, India’s hopes of enforcing the follow-on seemed very much alive. But the entry of Jamie Smith, on debut, changed the script of the day entirely.

Brook and Smith Rewrite Records in England vs India Classic

With the top order in tatters, the sixth-wicket stand between Brook and Smith transformed the England vs India Test into a riveting contest. Their 303-run partnership didn’t just rescue England—it nearly put them in the driver’s seat.

Jamie Smith began in style, dispatching the hat-trick ball straight down the ground. The counterattack escalated quickly, with Smith taking 23 runs off a single over from Prasidh Krishna. His intent was evident: positive footwork, clean pulls, and dismissive drives defined his innings.

Brook, steady initially, began to unfurl his range soon after. He reached his fifty in 72 deliveries, while Smith smashed his maiden Test ton off just 80 balls before the lunch break. The hosts dominated the session, scoring 172 runs without losing a wicket.

Frustration Grows for India As England Build

As the afternoon unfolded in the England vs India thriller, the pair’s fluency slowed marginally, but they remained solid. Brook reached his ninth Test hundred, while Smith crossed 150 off 144 balls, the fifth-fastest for England in Test history.

Even after the second new ball was taken, the duo added to India’s agony. Smith was dropped on 121, a tough chance shelled by Pant, as India’s intensity in the field dipped. Eventually, the pair reached 300 runs together, becoming the first English duo to add 300 or more for the sixth wicket or lower against India.

Akash Deep Opens Door; Siraj Smashes It Wide Open

India needed inspiration—and it came right after Tea. Akash Deep, who had toiled hard without much reward, finally delivered by dismissing Brook for 158. The inswinger beat the bat and sent the off-stump cartwheeling.

That opened the floodgates. Akash had Chris Woakes edging to slip for a well-set trap. Siraj returned to mop up the tail, trapping Brydon Carse LBW, dismissing Josh Tongue with another in-dipper, and castling Shoaib Bashir for a golden duck.

England collapsed from 387/5 to 407 all out, handing India a healthy first-innings lead of 180 runs. Siraj’s final figures of 6 for 70 marked his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests, sealing a memorable day for him personally.

Mohammad Siraj: “I always try to give my best for the team. Today, the conditions helped, and I just focused on bowling the right lengths.”

England vs India: Smith Stands Tall Amidst Carnage

Even as wickets tumbled around him, Jamie Smith continued to stand firm. He smashed a few late boundaries, including a six and a four in one over from Akash, before running out of partners. His unbeaten 184 off 199 balls is now the highest Test score by an English wicketkeeper against India, and he carried his bat through the innings—an impressive feat in only his second Test match.

Of England’s 407 runs, 342 came from Brook and Smith, with six players registering ducks, underlining the duo’s monumental effort.

Jamie Smith: “It’s a special feeling to get my first Test century, but it would’ve been nicer if it had come in a stronger team performance.”

India Respond Aggressively Under Lights

With the Edgbaston sky darkening again and light deteriorating, India’s openers decided not to hold back. Yashasvi Jaiswal, fresh off his dominant first-innings 209, began with purpose, racing to 28 off just 22 balls.

His knock included six crisp boundaries, and during his stay, he became the joint-fastest Indian to 2000 Test runs (40 innings), matching Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag.

However, his innings ended in controversy. Trapped LBW by Josh Tongue, Jaiswal reviewed the decision after a noticeable delay. England protested the timing, but the umpires accepted the review. The ball-tracking confirmed the on-field decision, and Jaiswal had to walk back.

England vs India Test on a Knife’s Edge — Weather the Real Threat?

As stumps were drawn on Day 3, India had reached 64/1, with KL Rahul (28)* looking assured. The visitors’ lead stood at 244, a sizeable buffer in any conditions.

But the England vs India 2nd Test faces a looming threat—rain is forecast for both Day 4 and Day 5. If persistent showers wipe out play, it could deny India a well-earned chance at victory. On the other hand, if the weather holds and India can bat quickly on the fourth morning, a thrilling finish might yet be on the cards.

Brief Scores – England vs India 2nd Test, Day 3

India lead England by 244 runs at stumps on Day 3

Key Records from Day 3 – England vs India

What to Expect on Day 4

Heading into Day 4 of the England vs India Test, the visitors will aim to bat through the entire day, build on their 244-run lead, and set a formidable target—ideally 600 or more—to ensure defeat is completely off the table. The plan would be to give England a tricky hour to bat at the end of the day under fading light. On the other hand, England, true to their Bazball ethos, may well go for the chase on Day 5 regardless of the size of the target. That aggressive approach could present India with a golden opportunity to strike and level the series if conditions and time allow.

As the Edgbaston Test enters its final stretch, the question remains: will the weather rob cricket fans of a thrilling conclusion, or will India have enough time to seal a famous win? Only time—and clouds—will tell.

Read More: England vs India Test: Prasidh Krishna Breaks Unwanted Record After Jamie Smith Onslaught

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