Jasprit Bumrah’s third five-wicket haul in England – 5 for 83 from 24.4 overs – dragged India to a wafer-thin six-run advantage after two compelling days at Headingley. England, 312 all out in reply to 318, rattled along at nearly six an over after lunch, only for the India spearhead to sweep away the tail and leave the match poised as a one-innings shoot-out.
“On this surface you’re always in the game if you hit the top of off,” Bumrah told the host broadcaster. “I tried to stay patient even when the ball was flying.” His patience was tested by Harry Brook, whose freewheeling 99 came at better than a run a ball and turned a perilous 183 for 5 into near-parity.
Key moments
• Brook reprieved three times – a Bumrah no-ball on 0, plus drops on 46 and 80 – punished India for their sloppiness.
• Short-ball tactics from Prasidh Krishna removed both Jamie Smith (40) and Brook, each finding a deep leg-side catcher.
• Chris Woakes’ rapid 39, including consecutive sixes off Prasidh, pushed him past 2,000 Test runs.
• Bumrah’s second-new-ball burst – 3 for 7 in 14 deliveries – cleaned up Woakes, Josh Tongue and Shoaib Bashir.
Brook’s near-miss
Brook, energised by a boisterous home crowd, peppered the stands with eight fours and four sixes. One audacious shot – a falling paddle-sweep off Ravindra Jadeja – drew comparisons with Rishabh Pant’s inventiveness. “I felt in good rhythm,” Brook admitted afterwards. “To get out on 99 is gutting, but the game’s in a good place.” His dismissal – a top-edged pull held by Shardul Thakur at long leg – left him staring at the turf in disbelief.
Lower-order bustle
Jamie Smith’s brisk 40, featuring a flurry of square cuts, had earlier counter-punched India’s seamers before he too succumbed to the leg-trap. When Woakes and debutant Brydon Carse added 55 in just 7.2 overs, India frayed. Mohammed Siraj ended the stand with a surprise yorker that flattened Carse’s off stump, and Bumrah’s late burst ensured the visitors crossed the line in front – just.
Missed chances
India’s catching was ragged: Pant spilled Brook on 46, then Yashasvi Jaiswal grassed a regulation chance at gully with the batter on 80. Coach Rahul Dravid, speaking to the BBC, conceded, “We left 30-40 runs out there. At this level you can’t afford that.”
Tactical themes
England’s tempo rarely dipped below four an over, a hallmark of Ben Stokes’ tenure, yet Bumrah’s ability to extract late movement with the older ball showed the value of relentless accuracy. Prasidh’s short-ball ploy paid off twice, but also leaked 72 from 15 overs; risk-reward cricket in a nutshell.
What next?
With the match effectively reset, first-innings scars may linger. India will look to stretch the new ball this evening, whereas England, six behind, need early strikes from Woakes and Tongue to prevent a sizeable chase.
“Both sides feel they’re ahead,” former captain Michael Vaughan said on Test Match Special. “That tells you the margin is paper-thin.”
Day three promises more of the same: brisk scoring, short-ball theatrics and, hovering above it all, a Headingley pitch offering just enough for everyone.
