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Joe Root Century Leads England’s Rampage As India Look Clueless On Day 3 At Old Trafford

Kaushik Kashyap

Joe Root Hundred vs India. [Source - @HardCricketpix/x.com]Joe Root Hundred vs India. [Source - @HardCricketpix/x.com]

On the back of a batting masterclass from Joe Root, England seized full control on Day 3 of the Manchester Test. With a mammoth lead and India crumbling under pressure, the hosts firmly pushed the visitors onto the back foot. England ended the day at 544 for 7, holding a commanding lead of 186 runs.

Here, we take a look at the highlights of Day 3 as the battle between India and England intensified in this crucial Test match.

Clinical England Crush Indian Hopes in Wicketless Morning

Joe Root and Ollie Pope resumed on 225/2 and dominated the morning session, leaving India completely frustrated. The duo added 107 runs without losing a wicket, bringing up their half-centuries and heading into lunch with total control. 

The Indian bowling attack, despite efforts from Bumrah, Siraj, and Kamboj, looked out of ideas with England a few steps away from getting the lead and eight wickets were still in hand. It was a clinical batting display that firmly swung the momentum in England’s favour.

The Indian bowlers continued searching for answers after the break, but it was Washington Sundar, introduced surprisingly late, who finally provided the breakthrough. Getting sharp drift in the air, he dismissed Pope for 71 to end a 144-run stand, then removed Harry Brook cheaply four overs later. 

India delayed the second new ball by ten overs, hoping the spinners could snatch more wickets. Sundar’s double strike injected life into a deflated side, offering India a glimmer of hope with England at 349 for 4.

England Build Mammoth Lead as Root and Stokes Flatten India

After starting the second session brilliantly, India looked to build on the momentum as the spinners caused some real problems in the middle. India delayed the second new ball by ten overs, hoping to capitalise further. 

But Root, along with Ben Stokes, survived the tricky phase and guided England past India’s first innings total. Siraj took the new ball in the 91st over, which was followed by a blow for India as Bumrah walked off after bowling just one over. Root, on the other hand, continued the run flow and soon reached his 38th Test century.

Things worsened for India when Siraj too hobbled off, further derailing India's day. Root and Stokes pushed England past 400 at Tea, adding 84 runs since Brook’s dismissal. Bumrah returned in the final session but could not produce breakthroughs as India continued to look flat. 

Stokes brought up his first fifty of the series before walking off with a suspected cramp. India managed to grab a few quick wickets late in the day, including the prized scalp of Joe Root and England ended a dominant Day 3 at 544 for 7, with Stokes back and Liam Dawson unbeaten at the crease, holding a commanding 186-run lead.