England took firm control of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, ending Day 3 at 544/7, with a commanding 186-run lead. Former captain Joe Root starred with a magnificent 150, becoming the second-highest run-scorer in Test history, while Ben Stokes remained unbeaten on 77 at stumps.
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| Root Test runs record |
🧮 Day 3 Score Summary
India 1st Innings: 358 all out
England 1st Innings: 544/7 (Lead by 186 runs)
Joe Root – 150
Ben Duckett – 94
Zak Crawley – 84
Ben Stokes – 77*
Liam Dawson – 21*
India Bowlers:
Washington Sundar – 2/57
Ravindra Jadeja – 2/117
Jasprit Bumrah – 1 wicket
Mohammed Siraj – 1 wicket
🔑 Key Moments – Day 3 Highlights
Joe Root's Milestone Masterclass:
Root's majestic 150 was the heart of England’s innings. With this knock, he surpassed Ricky Ponting to become Test cricket's second-highest run-scorer, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar.
Indian Bowlers Struggle:
Despite occasional breakthroughs, India’s pace attack lacked sharpness on a flat surface. The spinners managed to slow the scoring in phases, but England’s batters remained in charge.
Stokes and Dawson Stand Firm:
With the second new ball doing little damage, the unbeaten stand between Ben Stokes and Liam Dawson helped England stretch the lead further by stumps.
🏏 India’s Uphill Task on Day 4
Trailing by 186 runs, India now face an uphill battle to get back into the match. Their key hopes lie in:
Picking early wickets on Day 4 to limit England's lead
Batting with resilience in the second innings, especially on a pitch that’s starting to take spin
📊 Match Context
With England already leading the series, a win here could seal the deal. India must now rely on a strong bowling finish and a near-perfect batting response to avoid a series defeat.
