India’s hold on Edgbaston: England out for 407, Team India’s lead by 244 runs
India vs England, Second Test – Edgbaston, Day 3: Siraj’s Fury and India’s Commanding Lead
Birmingham (Edgbaston), July 4, 2025 – Day 3 of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy second Test between India and England was a spectacle of aggressive batting and incisive bowling. India bundled England out for 407 and ended the day at 64/1 in their second innings, commanding a massive lead of 244 runs .
England’s First Innings: Brook & Smith’s Valiant Stand
Resuming the day at 77/3, England found themselves in grave danger early on. Mohammed Siraj struck twice swiftly, dismissing Joe Root for 22 and Ben Stokes for a duck, reducing England to 98/5 .
At this point, a remarkable partnership unfolded. Harry Brook and wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith resurrected the innings with a 303-run stand for the sixth wicket. Brook scored 158 runs, while Smith remained unbeaten on 184 – the highest ever Test score by an English wicketkeeper .
However, after tea, India struck back decisively:
- Siraj (6/70) and Akash Deep (4/88) dismantled the tail, taking the final five wickets for just 22 runs—England were all out for 407, still trailing by 180 .
Siraj’s Devastating Spell
Mohammed Siraj emerged as India’s most potent bowler on the day, claiming six wickets for 70, including two of England’s top-order batsmen. Akash Deep complemented him with four wickets, ensuring England couldn’t threaten India’s dominance .
India’s First Innings Recap
India’s earlier dominance began with a substantial first innings total of 587, built upon Shubman Gill’s monumental 269, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 87, and Ravindra Jadeja’s 89 . That gave India a preliminary lead of 180 runs going into the afternoon.
India’s Second Innings: Steady Start
India began their second innings cautiously:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal started but fell for 28, trapped LBW by Josh Tongue.
- At stumps, India were 64/1, with KL Rahul unbeaten on 28 and Karun Nair on 7, extending the total lead to 244 runs .
Match Situation: India in the Driver’s Seat
As Day 3 concluded, India held firm control. England’s fighting partnership had injected hope, but Siraj and Deep’s late burst swung momentum decisively in India’s favor.
With two days of play remaining, India aim to extend their lead further—potentially setting an insurmountable target. England, despite talent, need a collective effort to avoid collapse.
Challenges for England
While Brook and Smith demonstrated resilience, England’s senior batsmen—including Root, Stokes, and Woakes—have largely failed to deliver. The tailenders capitulated under new-ball pressure, leaving England still answering to a steep deficit.
India’s Strategy for Day 4
India will look to bat further on Day 4, aiming for a total beyond 350 runs to strengthen their position. Under captain Shubman Gill—fresh from his record-breaking double-century—India are focused on sealing this match and gaining momentum in the series.
In Summary
Day 3 belonged to India: Siraj’s incisive bowling, supported by Akash Deep, reined in England despite a heroic batting effort. India’s solid stance in the second innings indicates they are firmly in control, while England must regroup if they hope to mount a comeback.
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