India's Dominance Over England: Siraj's Stunning Performance on Day 3

India Takes Control on Day 3

Following a strong performance on Day 2 against England, India continued to assert their dominance as the match progressed. However, the morning of Day 3 brought an unexpected twist for the hosts, largely due to Mohammed Siraj's exceptional bowling. In a remarkable display, Siraj delivered two critical blows in consecutive deliveries during the second over of the day. He first had former captain Joe Root stumped, and then dismissed current captain Ben Stokes for a duck on the very next ball. England found themselves in a precarious position at 84 for 5, raising concerns about their ability to avoid the follow-on, which would require them to score 388 runs—a daunting task given the current circumstances.

Akash's Impressive Debut

On Day 3, Akash made a significant impact in his Test debut, providing India with a stellar start after their innings concluded. In just the third over, he dismissed Ben Duckett, who had recently scored a century in the previous Test, for a duck at third slip. Following that, he quickly claimed the wicket of Ollie Pope, caught by KL Rahul on the very next ball. Akash's two wickets in two balls briefly ignited hope for India, while Siraj's earlier performance intensified the pressure on England.

England's Challenge to Avoid Follow-On

India posted a formidable total of 587 runs in their first innings. To avoid the follow-on, England must reach a minimum of 388 runs. In Test cricket, the team batting second must score within 200 runs of the opponent's total to prevent the follow-on. Enforcing the follow-on can save time in matches with limited days, and failing to meet the required runs not only gives a strategic edge to the leading team but also exerts psychological pressure on the batting side.