K L Rahul stands tall as England erase India’s lead on rain-hit day

K L Rahul remained unbeaten on 47 as India reached 90/2 at stumps, leading by 96. Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul and sloppy Indian fielding defined a mixed day in Leeds

Leeds: K L Rahul drove his way to a sublime 47 after England negated India’s advantage by totalling 465 in their first innings, as the visitors had another ordinary day in the field on day three of the first Test here on Sunday.

India dropped as many as five catches, and barring Jasprit Bumrah, the effort from the pacers left a lot to be desired, allowing England to even out the game after the Shubman Gill-led side posted 471 in its first essay.

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At stumps, India reached 90 for two with Rahul (47 batting off 75) and Shubman Gill (6 batting off 10).

Brydon Carse had Yashasvi Jaiswal (4 off 11) caught behind with a ball that seamed away, while Ben Stokes got rid of debutant Sai Sudharsan (30 off 48) for the second time in the game, the southpaw’s flick falling into the hands of Zak Crawley at mid-wicket.

Rahul was a delight to watch, as the majority of his seven fours came via the cover drive off the fast bowlers. He did not show any discomfort despite the ball doing a bit in overcast conditions.

Stumps were drawn when rain arrived at Headingley, with India leading by 96 runs.

In an extended afternoon session, Harry Brook ran out of luck on 99 before Jasprit Bumrah completed a well-deserved five-wicket haul to ensure a slender six-run first innings lead for India.

Before Bumrah castled Josh Tongue to end the England innings, Chris Woakes (38 off 55) punished a predictable Indian pace attack to take his team close to India’s 471.

The hosts continued to find boundaries at will as they collected 138 runs in 23.4 overs in the afternoon session, losing five wickets.

Prasidh Krishna removed Jamie Smith (40 off 52) and Brook (99 off 112) with the short ball but leaked too many runs with his one-dimensional tactic, conceding 128 runs in 20 overs.

Bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur was underbowled again, raising questions over his selection. Bumrah, by far the best Indian bowler on display, picked up his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests, ending with figures of 5/83 in 24.4 overs.

India’s fielding has been their weakest link so far in the game. Having been given two lives, Brook was dropped again on 82 by Jaiswal off Bumrah.

The explosive England batter, however, could not use those chances to score a hundred and was dismissed on 99 in the 88th over. India had taken the new ball after 80 overs but failed to make good use of it.

Captain Shubman Gill made questionable calls, including introducing Ravindra Jadeja late in the session and bringing back Bumrah for a late burst.

In the opening session, Brook went on the offensive against an inconsistent Indian pace attack, taking England to 327 for five at lunch.

Resuming at an overnight 209 for three, Brook ensured that England scored at a brisk pace, adding 118 runs in 28 overs.

The visitors got two welcome wickets of overnight centurion Ollie Pope (106 off 137) and England captain Ben Stokes (20 off 52).

Like day two, the other Indian pacers could not match Bumrah’s accuracy.

Brook, dismissed off a Bumrah no-ball at the stroke of stumps on day two, was dropped by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant on 46 shortly before lunch. Jadeja, who extracted sharp turn from the rough, got one to turn away sharply, but Pant could not hold on to the rising ball.

In the same over, Brook completed his 12th Test fifty, adding to the frustration of the Indians, who have been sloppy with their catching throughout the game. Led by captain Shubman Gill, the Indians were also vocal about their issues with a worn-out Dukes ball throughout the session.

The umpires relented before the 75th over, while the new ball was due after 80 overs.

The session belonged to the highly rated Brook, who displayed audacious strokeplay from the start.
Krishna offered two loose balls in the first over of the day, and Brook duly put them away — one for a four through point and the other a six over mid-wicket.

Brook’s tactics against the pacers, including Bumrah, stood out as he charged down for aerial drives over extra cover.

Krishna, in his following over, was lucky to get Pope out, as the England number three edged a short and wide ball to the keeper.