नवीनतम
Joe Root’s masterclass put England in command
NEW DELHI [Maha Media]: Joe Root led England’s charge with a majestic 150 as the hosts closed Day 3 at a dominant 544 for 7 in 135 overs, taking a commanding 186-run lead over India’s first-innings 358 in the ongoing Test at Old Trafford today.
Resuming the day at 225 for 2, Root and Ollie Pope (71) steadily built England’s innings, frustrating the Indian bowlers with measured resistance. The duo’s 113-run partnership set the tone, as Root calmly moved to his 38th Test century with a gentle glance to the fine leg boundary off debutant Anshul Kamboj. It was a knock that combined patience and panache, highlighted by reverse sweeps, late cuts, and elegant drives.
Root brought up his 150 in 248 deliveries (14x4), drawing a loud cheer from the spectators. But his splendid innings ended at 150 when Ravindra Jadeja produced a sharply turning delivery that beat the bat and saw him stumped by substitute keeper Dhruv Jurel.
Captain Ben Stokes was equally impactful. After his five-wicket haul earlier in the match, he brought up his 36th Test 50, showcasing his all-round dominance. Stokes muscled boundaries through pulls and reverse sweeps and took charge against both pace and spin. He eventually retired hurt on 66 at 491/4 but returned later in the day and remained unbeaten on 77 by stumps.
Jamie Smith’s brief cameo of 9 ended when Jasprit Bumrah finally found reward for his effort, getting Smith caught behind off a delivery that straightened and induced an edge. Jurel, again impressive behind the stumps, took a sharp low catch diving forward.
Liam Dawson added late momentum with aggressive stroke play, including a pair of well-timed boundaries, one via a pull off Bumrah and another thumped straight down the ground off Washington Sundar. However, wickets began to fall as India finally saw some return for their toil. Chris Woakes became Siraj's first scalp of the innings when a low ball sneaked under the bat to hit the stumps, a just reward for the pacer who had bowled without luck all day.
