Jasprit Bumrah claimed his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket as India bowled England out for 465 on day three of the opening Test at Headingley, Leeds, securing a slender first innings lead of six runs.
Bumrah finished with figures of 5 for 83, cleaning up the tail just before tea. Prasidh Krishna also made a strong contribution with three wickets, while Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur chipped in despite an inconsistent performance from the Indian pace unit.
The morning session belonged to Harry Brook, who launched a spirited counterattack against the Indian bowlers. Brook, dropped on 46 by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, ultimately fell agonisingly short of a century, dismissed for 99 by Krishna after striking 11 boundaries and two sixes. It was his 12th Test fifty, coming in just 77 deliveries, showcasing an array of attacking strokes that unsettled the Indian attack.
Brook was reprieved late on day two when Bumrah bowled him off a no-ball, and India were left to rue their missed chances again when Pant spilled a sharp chance after Ravindra Jadeja found sharp turn from the rough. Brook made full use of the lifeline, punishing erratic lengths from Krishna and taking the attack to Bumrah as well, using his feet and lofting drives over extra cover.
England had resumed the day on 209 for three and piled on 118 runs in 28 overs by lunch, reaching 327 for five, still trailing India by 144 runs. Overnight centurion Ollie Pope added just 12 more to his score before edging a short and wide delivery from Krishna to Pant, departing for 106 off 137 balls. Captain Ben Stokes, after a cautious stay at the crease, was caught behind off Siraj for 20.
Brook shared a 73-run partnership with debutant wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, who made a promising 40 off 67 deliveries. Brook later added 49 with Chris Woakes (38), as England continued to chip away at the deficit. A 55-run stand between Woakes and Brydon Carse (22) for the eighth wicket briefly tilted the momentum in England’s favour before Bumrah returned to break the stand and wrap up the tail.
India had earlier posted 471 in their first innings, with centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant laying the foundation. The trio will now be key again as India look to build a solid second innings total on a pitch that is beginning to offer more assistance to the spinners.
Notably, the Indian team management might be regretting the exclusion of left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, as Jadeja began to extract sharp turn from the rough on day three. The visiting side also raised concerns during the session about the state of the worn Dukes ball, prompting umpires to allow a replacement before the 75th over.
With the new ball due after 80 overs and the surface showing signs of deterioration, India will look to assert control as the match moves into a crucial phase.
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