Leeds [UK], June 22: A rain-curtailed yet action-packed third day of the first Test between India and England at Leeds ended with India holding a 96-run lead. The visitors finished the day at 90/2 in their second innings, following an intense session dominated by KL Rahul and a gritty bowling effort earlier.
At stumps, KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 47, showing solid technique and patience, alongside captain Shubman Gill on 6*. India had started the final session at 0/0, holding a slender six-run lead after dismissing England for 465 in their first innings. England had earlier responded to India’s 471 with strong performances from Ollie Pope (106) and Harry Brook (99), but fell short thanks to sharp bowling by Jasprit Bumrah (5/83) and Prasidh Krishna (3/128).
India’s second innings began on a shaky note, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal—who scored a century in the first innings—falling early for just 4 runs, edging Brydon Carse to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. Despite the early setback, KL Rahul and debutant Sai Sudharsan provided stability, adding 66 runs for the second wicket.
Sudharsan looked promising with a composed 30 off 48 balls, hitting four boundaries before being dismissed by England captain Ben Stokes, who brought himself into the attack and struck immediately. Sudharsan’s flick landed in the hands of Zak Crawley at midwicket, ending a solid partnership and leaving India at 82/2.
Rain brought an early close to play, halting what had been a compelling session. Earlier in the day, England resumed their innings at 209/3. While Prasidh Krishna removed centurion Ollie Pope early for 106, Harry Brook led a spirited counterattack. Brook narrowly missed his century, dismissed for 99 off 112 balls by Prasidh, caught by Shardul Thakur at deep backward square leg.
Valuable lower-order contributions from Jamie Smith (40), Chris Woakes (38), and Brydon Carse (22) helped England reach 465. Their innings was a mix of aggressive strokeplay and smart partnerships, but the Indian bowling attack, led by Bumrah, kept them from overtaking India’s first-innings total.
India’s first innings had earlier seen big centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), Shubman Gill (147), and Rishabh Pant (134), taking them to 471. At one point cruising at 430/4, India’s innings collapsed under pressure from Ben Stokes (4/66) and Josh Tongue (4/86).
With two days remaining and a lead nearing 100, India will aim to set a challenging fourth-innings target for England, while the hosts will hope for early breakthroughs and clearer skies.
Brief Scores:
- India: 471 & 90/2 (KL Rahul 47*, Sai Sudharsan 30; Ben Stokes 1/18)
- England: 465 (Ollie Pope 106, Harry Brook 99; Jasprit Bumrah 5/83)