Day 3 of the fifth Test between India and England ended with the visitors at 50/1, chasing a daunting target of 374. Mohammed Siraj provided the breakthrough for India, dismissing Zak Crawley early in England’s second innings. The match remains finely poised as England still need 324 runs, while India will look to take quick wickets on Day 4 to tilt the balance in their favor.
India had set a challenging total thanks to solid contributions from their middle order. Earlier in the day, the Indian team added crucial runs to their overnight score before being bowled out. The pitch has shown signs of wear, offering variable bounce and some turn, which could make the chase even more difficult for England.
Crawley, who had looked comfortable in his brief stay, fell to Siraj’s well-directed delivery, edging one to the slips. England’s captain, Joe Root, and the dependable Dawid Malan then steadied the innings, ensuring no further loss before stumps. Their partnership will be crucial if England are to mount a serious challenge on Day 4.
India’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, will be eager to exploit the deteriorating pitch. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have already shown glimpses of turn, and the duo will be key in disrupting England’s batting lineup. The pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj, will look to keep the pressure on with disciplined lines.
England, on the other hand, will rely on Root’s experience and Malan’s resilience to anchor the innings. The visitors have had mixed performances in this series, but a win here would level the series and provide a morale boost ahead of future tours. The first hour of Day 4 will be critical in setting the tone for the remainder of the match.
Fans can expect another gripping day of Test cricket, with both teams fighting hard for dominance. Will England pull off a record chase, or will India’s bowlers rise to the occasion and seal the series? The action resumes tomorrow, and cricket enthusiasts won’t want to miss it.